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

“Them?”

“Our men,” she replied.

“Very well…”

“I don’t quite know how to begin…” She hated the slight tremble in her voice, the hesitation to ask what she needed to know.

“May I guess that this is a somewhat delicate question?”

Another nod. “Very much so.”

“Then look out of the window, forget that I am here, and just talk…”

“Easier said than done,” she gave a slight chuckle. “But all right. Here goes. I am finding myself very much drawn to them. Relying on them for everything, which is probably normal for the mistress of any estate, but recently it has become more—personal. More—intimate.” She knew her cheeks were flushed; she could see the colour rising in her reflection.

“I see,” commented Giles. “And you question these feelings? These intimacies?”

“I don’t know how to feel, to be quite honest. No,” she stopped. “That’s not true. I do know how to feel. I feel cared for, I feel a warmth and depth of affection I have never experienced before. I have discovered needs and desires that surprise and shock me. I’m afraid of what I am becoming when I welcome such attentions eagerly. It all goes against what was dinned into my head as I grew up.”

“You are indeed conflicted, my dear,” responded Giles calmly. “If it is of any comfort, you are repeating what previous Ladies of Wolfbridge have said. And, in fact, you are actually fulfilling the purpose of this manor. The entire property and its legal status have been created to bring happiness to someone who needs it. Someone who will benefit from it and, with luck, go forward with a new philosophy.”

Adalyn frowned. “I’m not sure I understand.”

“There are too many closed minds in our world, Adalyn. There are also too few people helping those less fortunate. Wolfbridge is one small portion of England where good is venerated, kindness is encouraged, and love of others prized above all else. Our mistresses come from the opposite situation, and here they learn what true courage and genuine worthiness can be. They then move ahead with their lives, bringing those characteristics to whatever they do. And whoever they touch.”

“That is a laudable goal, Giles, but for just one person?”

He smiled then, his teeth gleaming in the glass window reflecting him as he stood slightly behind Adalyn.

“Oh no. Wolfbridge goes much further than that. Are you familiar with the name Lady Mary Dandridge?”

Shocked, Adalyn turned to look at him. “Oh goodness, yes. She was responsible for setting up a chain of orphanages that changed the lives of thousands of children…some years ago now, if I remember correctly.”

“Mary Wallace was a Lady of Wolfbridge, Adalyn. She became Lady Dandridge after she left us.”

“And Lady Panthea?”

“She is currently starting small centres in rural areas where doctors can see patients for very little cost.”

The enormity of what Giles was telling her began to sink in, and she shuddered. “These are very big shoes to fill, Giles.”

“You will. But not alone. And you have yet to realise your full potential here at Wolfbridge. I tell you these things only to reassure you that what you are experiencing in relation to our men is perfectly normal.”

She stared blindly at the glass, trying to put her fears, her worries into words.

“I am becoming very attached to all of them, Giles. And that attachment may well lead to intimacies that would shock people to their boots. I don’t want to be the cause of a scandal, nor do I want to ruin the lives of anyone here at Wolfbridge.”

Embarrassing though her confession was, she felt better after voicing it, for it was nothing but the truth. She knew, in her heart, that she would be making love with one or more of her men before too long. She wanted it and they wanted it. Were there barriers to prevent it? Giles would know.

“You’ve been here for a few months now, Adalyn. And yet it seems as if we’ve known you for much longer than that.” He gently put an arm around her, resting his warm hand on her shoulder. “It is customary for me to say this after  a full six months, but in your case I can see the time is now.”

“Say what, Giles?”

“There is a letter. More of a directive, really, that is given to the Lady of Wolfbridge after a six month tenure. I’m going to give it to you today, and I believe it will help you settle your thoughts in relation to the men, and also in relation to Wolfbridge.”

“Oh, I would like that,” she turned to him. “Who wrote it?”

“The original Lady Wolfbridge. The one who arranged this whole situation so long ago.”

“My goodness,” Adalyn’s eyes widened. “A woman of great foresight?”

“Indeed.” He looked down at her. “I wish I had known her, for her words still apply today, and I hope they will continue to do so for generations of Wolfbridge mistresses yet to come.”

“What a lovely thought,” Adalyn smiled briefly. “And perhaps it will give me guidance when it comes to dealing with Trick’s situation,” her voice faltered. “Giles, I already know my answer to that, and it’s tearing me apart.”

His arm tightened. “Tell me?”

She leaned against him. “Trick has a piece of my heart, as much as do Evan, Jeremy and Daniel.” She swallowed the lump that had arisen in her throat. “But I have felt that Wolfbridge is eternal. Especially now that you’ve told me what it stands for. I cannot be a good Lady of Wolfbridge if I bargain away some of the estate for one of my men. I just cannot…”

She fought back a choking sob, knowing she was torn between Trick and Wolfbridge, and unable to reconcile her decision with her need to have her men back with her.

“Hush,” soothed Giles. “That is the right and only decision you could make, Adalyn. It is the brave choice of the woman who has just truly earned the title Lady of Wolfbridge.”

His words registered, but she still