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

“It is Sunday, Lady Gwyneth. And past time we escorted you to church. The Wolfbridge pew has been empty too long, and you are now well enough I think…”

She would have preferred a lazy morning of remembering and recovering, but knew he was right. “A good thought. Yes, I’d be very happy to attend church. I cannot remember when last I had the chance, so there is no better day than today.”

“Excellent,” he smiled at her and poured her tea. “I trust you slept well?”

“Indeed yes,” she nodded her thanks.

“I am happy to see you in such spirits. I would venture the opinion that you have more colour in your cheeks today, Ma’am. Most becoming.” His eyes crinkled slightly at the corners as he complimented her. “We shall await you downstairs and leave for St. Polycarp’s shortly after breakfast.”

With a bow he left her to her tea and her toilette, and the sneaking suspicion that he knew full well what had put the colour in her cheeks this morning.

And now church?

After last night she had to wonder if she’d make it past the lychgate, let alone walk down the aisle. Didn’t sinners receive a blast of Satan’s lightning upon crossing the threshold of consecrated ground?

Oh well. She would hold her head high. If last night had condemned her to a sulphurous destiny, she’d go with no regrets. She sipped her tea and chided herself for those silly notions. How could such magic embraces be wicked enough to condemn her to Hell? She felt a measure of sympathy for those who would think that way. Then she grinned. Clearly such people had never met her gentlemen.

There was something symmetrically appealing about a morning of devout worship after a night of extraordinary sensual pleasures.

Perhaps she’d be forgiven enough to repeat the experience.

Walking downstairs, after readying herself for the day, she couldn’t help her gaze drifting over Evan and Royce.

And wondering…

Chapter Twenty-One

Giles was happy to see both Royce and Gabriel waiting for the gig as he and Gwyneth arrived outside St. Polycarp’s. The day was sunny, the trees were green and children were laughing as they ran up and down, working off their energies before entering the hushed and cool solemnity of the church itself.

Walking through the lychgate with her hand on his arm, he could not help but recall the number of times he’d done exactly this. From young Maud, so many years ago now, to Lady Adalyn last year, it had been his privilege to introduce them all to their Lord.

Or that’s what it seemed like to him.

She greeted both Royce and Gabriel fondly, smiling at them, accepting their bows and chatting in an elegant but friendly manner.

He knew quite well that she’d taken two of her gentlemen to her bed last night, and he was glad of it. Jeremy, because he was the easiest and friendliest to approach, and at first he’d guessed Evan would also be there, but seeing the adoration on Gabriel’s face this morning, Giles was forced to revise his assumptions.

At last, things would settle into their proscribed paths at Wolfbridge.

Lady Gwyneth’s appearance was faultless. Her lightweight gown of lilac and grey was edged with fine white lace, as was the chemisette that ended in a soft ruffle around her neck. Devoid of ornamentation, the style added inches she did not possess, and her bonnet was correctly adorned with several small pink and white rosebuds.

She attracted attention as they walked together through the churchyard to the entrance, many heads turning, and a few bows and curtseys as they passed. She noted them all with a friendly smile and a slight dip of her head, and her chin was high as she kept pace with him on their progress up to the pew.

He stopped her at the front, the large carved end of the row indicating it was theirs. A wolf and a bridge were beautifully incised into the old gleaming wood, and he let her go in first, making sure she was comfortable.

The church was filling fast, and he could almost feel the eyes drilling into the backs of their heads.

The gentlemen would be seated further back, as befit the servants, but Giles knew they’d have been here with their Lady if they could.

He’d told Gwyneth of that arrangement earlier.

“It has to be that way?” She’d frowned at the news.

Giles considered his reply. “Wolfbridge is unique, Ma’am. I don’t need to tell you that. But simply because we are able to live according to our own set of precepts, that does not mean they would be acceptable to the general public, who conform to a much more stringent code of behaviour.”

“I suppose that’s true,” she agreed.

“The more we can appear to conform to the public notion of what is estimable, the easier it is for us to maintain the Wolfbridge beliefs and concepts to which we adhere in private.”

“I am forced to agree, Giles. But it is difficult. The more I learn of Wolfbridge and the good things that have resulted from its institution, my preference would be to shout its benefits loud and clear, instead of remaining silent.”

He blinked. “Er…well put, Ma’am.”

“You know what I mean.”

“Yes, I do. I’ve seen many a Lady of the Manor troubled in the same way, but until society changes considerably, we are restrained to this single path.” He glanced at her. “Would you prefer Wolfbridge to be as strict and unyielding as any other estate?”

She shook her head. “No. Absolutely not.”

“Good.” He nodded. “Then we will go on as we have done, and hope that our reputation for doing the right thing and bettering lives will always take precedence over whispers of our private business.”

“Are there whispers?” She looked at him anxiously.

“Once upon a time, yes, there were.” He briefly touched