The Dowager Countess (The Saga of Wolfbridge Manor Book 2), Sahara Kelly [best thriller novels to read txt] 📗

Giles took his time in replying. “Their duties, my Lady, are whatever you tell them to do.”

“I have complete control?”

“You do, yes.” Giles steepled his fingers and looked at her over the top of them. “Obviously it would be better not trying to take over the kitchen, or the finances. Jeremy has his finger on the pulse of this house and runs it very efficiently, Evan is the master of everything edible, and Royce will be overseeing the crops along with all else to do with the financial end of running the Manor. Those are accepted duties, and I would not advise altering them.”

“From what I have seen so far, I would agree. But I think there is more, is there not?”

“Only if you want there to be,” he said gently. “The fundamental principle of Wolfbridge is that we try to bring ourselves to the very best that we can be. We’re not perfect, but we try to be better, to…as our motto says…bring the light unto ourselves.”

“Yes, an excellent mandate,” she agreed.

“This may involve a variety of things, my Lady. Including developing close and affectionate ties with your gentlemen. After all, being loved is one of the best ways to bring light into a life.”

“You say close and affectionate ties.” She looked him straight in the eye. “How close?”

“As close as you want.”

“I can make the choice?”

“Yes, my Lady. The choice is always yours. You choose how to behave, how to interact with everyone, what decisions need to be made on a variety of subjects pertaining to Wolfbridge. You choose how to bestow your affections, and should you ever feel the need for physical companionship, you choose which gentleman you will take to your bed.” He spoke in blunt and simple terms.

“Just like that?” Her eyes had widened.

“Just like that.”

“Is there no gossip? No scandal?”

He wondered at her question, but each Lady responded differently when she discovered the four men waiting on her hand and foot could also be looked upon as potential bedfellows.

“Wolfbridge has been unique for nearly two centuries, my Lady, two hundred years of the same entail—always going to a woman—and the rule prohibiting any other women permission to reside here. The matter of the gentlemen is rarely noticed any more, let alone discussed. Especially in our local environment where the Manor is so closely intertwined with the lives of everyone around it. Being in existence for so long, and in such a quiet place…well it’s not even a topic of conversation any more. It simply is.”

“I see.” Absently she lifted a hand and tugged on her bottom lip. “So they really are my gentlemen. That’s not just an expression…?”

“No, Ma’am. They are yours to command. They want to obey you and make you happy. All you need to do is to let them know how.”

She swallowed. “That, Giles, is going to require quite a bit of thought.”

*~~*~~*

“Excuse me, Giles,” Jeremy popped his head around the door after a brief knock. “My Lady has company if she feels up to it. Mrs Barnsley and Jane have arrived and beg the honour of being introduced.”

“Trick is not with them?

“He is expected shortly, but was delayed.” Jeremy grinned. “Something about a horse…”

“It always is,” sighed Giles.

“Trick was one of the gentlemen, I believe?” Gwyneth looked at Jeremy.

“Yes, my Lady. Trick was our head groom.”

“So there is nobody in that position at the moment?”

“Formally, no,” Giles answered her question. “But we have a couple of reliable stable lads, and Trick himself still keeps an eye on our stock. There were few horses at Fivetrees, so they are now with ours, and given that our estates border each other, Trick is able to manage both quite well.”

Gwyneth gathered her skirts. “Then I would very much enjoy meeting this Mrs Barnsley and her daughter.” She rose as Jeremy hurried to her side and took her arm. “Allow me, my Lady.”

Gratefully, she leaned on him. “I am growing frustrated at my lack of strength,” she complained.

“Patience, Lady Gwyneth. Patience.” Giles gave her a reproving look.

“I’m not well equipped with that virtue, I’m afraid.”

She nodded at him and allowed Jeremy to take her to the Rose room, where two women awaited her. Both dipped into low curtseys when she entered.

The elder, who had to be Mrs Barnsley, smiled. “My Lady. Thank yer fer yer kindness in seein’ us. I’m Mrs Barnsley and this is m’daughter Jane. Now Mrs Jones, I’m ‘appy to say.”

Beaming, she turned as Jane rose from her curtsey. “Welcome to Wolfbridge, my Lady,” she said quietly. “We’re both happy to see you up and around, and in good health.”

Gwyneth repressed a sound of surprise as she saw the brutal scarring on one side of Jane’s lovely face. Barely a moment later, she’d recovered and returned both smiles. “I should thank you for being so kind as to visit.” She let Jeremy escort her to the sofa where she lowered herself into the corner and waved to the other two to take a seat as well. “It’s time I got to know some of the people of Wolfbridge. I have heard your name mentioned more than a few times,” she smiled.

“Been ‘ere all me life, Ma’am, raised me brood ‘ere, an’ looks like I’ll be buried ‘ere, an’ all.” She grinned. “That’s the way of it. An’ my Jane’ll be the same most like.”

“Ma,” protested Jane.

“She’s right,” chuckled Gwyneth. “Being part of the land on which one lives is indeed the way it should be.”

“Ye’ll be lookin’ ter do that ‘ere, then, lass?” She paused and winced. “Forgive the informality, Ma’am…”

“No need to apologise…” Gwyneth bit back a laugh. “I haven’t been a lass to anyone for far too long. It has a pleasant sound