Lady Adalyn (The Saga Of Wolfbridge Manor Book 1), Sahara Kelly [the best e book reader .TXT] 📗

House. It was blackmail of a sort, but I suppose that the other side had more to lose than we did. I don’t know. But within a week of my sentencing, I found myself quietly released without any fuss, bother or explanation. All I received was a note instructing me to leave London and never return. Wales was suggested, quite strongly. I was also to remain silent, and told in no uncertain terms what would happen if I broke that silence. I have not. Until now. When you and I met in Cardiff, Giles, I knew it was time for me to move ahead with my life. But as a new person, and not the Jeremy who had blood on his hands. Your offer was just what I needed. And I’ve never regretted it for a minute. Being here, at Wolfbridge, gave me back my humanity.”

“God, man. That is a terrible tragedy indeed.” Giles leaned back. “I knew a little of it, but the details are quite shocking.”

There were other comments as Jeremy reached the end of his story and the men exchanged opinions freely, all of which were in support of their friend and condemning the system that had created such a miscarriage of justice.

“Let me hazard a guess, Jeremy,” she said, attracting everyone’s attention. “The young woman you rescued? Might she be Miss Susanna Brockford?”

Silence fell as every man stared at her with varying amounts of surprise.

Jeremy recovered himself first. “I’m not quite sure how you arrived at that conclusion, Adalyn, but yes. You are correct. Yesterday was the first time I’d seen her since our last meeting in a courtroom somewhere in London.”

“Is she going to be a problem for you?”

“I’m not sure,” he answered. “During the trial we crossed paths quite often. I think…” he blushed a little, “It’s possible she might have developed an affection for me.”

“You were her saviour. I cannot say that it would be surprising,” mused Daniel.

“But so much time has passed. It’s been over six years, and many changes have taken place during that time. Truly I am surprised she recognised me.”

“Some things are indelible on one’s memory, Jeremy. I can believe the fateful events of that night would be a permanent fixture in a woman’s mind.”

“So where does that leave you now?” Giles asked.

“I don’t know.” Jeremy shook his head. “It has resurrected a past I hoped I’d left behind. It has reunited me with a woman I do not know well, and who is bound to have changed in the past years. She is unwed; she told me she cannot stand the thought of marriage. And yet…”

“And yet?” Adalyn gently encouraged him.

“She seemed…eager to rekindle our acquaintance. She left no doubt that she would enjoy my company.” He straightened in his chair. “I was not comfortable, to be blunt about it. I’m not sure she sees me in the proper light. And I’m certainly not about to accept an improper invitation from a woman I haven’t seen in all these years.”

“Improper?” Daniel’s eyebrows rose.

“Yes.” Jeremy cleared his throat. “She seems to think that if I could spend the night with her and…and…relieve her of her virginity, then she could go forward with a life that has been on hold all these years. Apparently I’m the only man she can trust to treat her properly.”

“Oh dear.” Adalyn’s forehead creased into a frown.

“One has to wonder about the men she’s been associating with over these last years,” commented Evan wryly.

“Where is she now?” queried Giles.

“Staying with her sister, I believe. Over in Little Maddington. She rode to St. Polycarp’s yesterday with a distant relative who had people to meet in the area.”

“Good. That is quite a few miles away. Which precludes the possibility of her dropping in unannounced.”

Adalyn listened as the matter was discussed, with all of them logically laying out the facts, posing practical suggestions and in general being the men she was coming to love.

However, they were missing an important factor.

“If I may…” She cleared her throat. “There is one thing you’re all overlooking. Miss Brockford is a woman. She has her heart set on Jeremy, and not just for one night of physical pleasure. If you acceded to her request, Jeremy, you might either find yourself interrupted by her family and forced to marry her, or she could reappear in a couple of months announcing that she is with child. And once again, you would be forced to marry her.” She stared at him. “I believe her sudden appearance here is far more than a surprise encounter. I cannot be certain, but all the signs are there.”

She rose and went to Jeremy, putting her hands on his shoulders as she stood behind his chair. “I am afraid that she may be obsessed with you, as her rescuer. In her eyes you are the only man for her. And the fact that it’s been so long since you last met, and yet she has proposed this outrageous suggestion…well, that adds to my concern.”

For several minutes, the men were quiet, absorbing her words.

Then Giles rose. “I agree with Adalyn. We must treat this matter with all the seriousness it deserves.” He looked at Jeremy. “It’s temporary house duties for you, my lad. You do not go out alone.” He held up his hand before Jeremy could protest. “I don’t believe you to be in any danger, but for the time being, let us be sensible?”

“I second that,” said Adalyn, moving to Jeremy’s side. “You are too valuable to me. Let us act with caution and common sense. The idea of any of my gentlemen being lost to me for whatever reason…well, it’s untenable.” She ended with a commanding nod.

Jeremy sighed. “Perhaps she will leave the area and we can move past all this.”

“We can but hope.” Daniel rose. “But in the meantime, I will have a quick word with a friend of mine in Little Maddington. He’s an elderly gentleman I met through our mutual interest in history, but he