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

He held up a hand. “Well, wait. It might all be for nothing. If Miss Fairhurst has no legal candidate in her family who can assume guardianship, then I will put myself up for that honour. If she approves, then it would be formally approved, and that’s that.”

Adalyn leaned back in her chair. “And then we can protect her. This is wonderful, Giles.”

“It hasn’t happened yet,” he cautioned. “But the other letter I wrote was to two very good friends I have not seen in more years than I can remember. We have kept in touch with letters now and again, and for the last couple of years they’ve been living in London, just off Belgrave Square.”

“Oh my. A lovely part of town.”

“Indeed. Sir Lancelot Sydenham and his wife, Lady Maud, have a delightful home, but lost their daughter to an illness some years ago.”

“Oh no,” Adalyn leaned forward. “What a terrible thing to have happen.”

“It was,” he said quietly. “Knocked them completely sideways for quite a while. But they have, as people do, managed to recover and move on. A few months ago they wrote that a friend stayed with them for a little while. A young woman. And now she has married and left, they’re alone again.”

Adalyn’s eyebrows rose. “You’re thinking about Judith? Would this be a fortunate and happy arrangement if they were to invite her for a visit?”

He nodded. “I believe so, yes.”

“Giles, you are a genius. As a matter of fact I’m more and more inclined to believe you to be the reincarnation of Merlin, for you produce magic worthy of that reputation…”

“Sometimes one can be lucky to have the right thought at the right time, Lady Adalyn.” He gazed at her, his smile wry. “Had you asked me before Miss Judith’s visit, I could perhaps have told you all this and you wouldn’t have had to take a very big gamble.”

“I realised that yesterday evening, Giles. Kept me awake for a while, I can assure you.”

“Good.” He rose. “Don’t do it again.” He touched her shoulder lightly and then walked from the room, leaving her with a rueful smile on her face.

Jeremy peered around the door after Giles had left. “May I clear, my Lady?”

She pulled her thoughts back into the present. “Of course. Thank you, Jeremy.”

He entered and began to stack the dishes. “Do you have any orders for me today?” His grin was hopeful as he smiled at her over his shoulder.

“I know I should be doing something…” She stood and stretched her spine a little. “Is it still raining?”

“I’m afraid so. Pretty heavily too.”

“Botheration.” She wrinkled her nose. “Do you think it would be too much trouble to take the carriage out? I would like to visit Mrs. Barnsley and talk to her about my thoughts on a local market here at Wolfbridge. And then I want to see Trick. It’s been too long, Jeremy. I miss him.”

He nodded. “I do as well, Adalyn. We all do.”

She walked to his side and leaned against his shoulder. “It’s as if a part of us is missing, isn’t it?”

He looked down at her. “It is. We are a unit. If one is away, the others are lessened a little.”

She glanced up, seeing the warmth in his eyes as he stared at her face. “Astute and correct. I couldn’t agree more.”

He quietly lowered his head and just touched her lips with his. “We shall pull through this, Adalyn.”

She nodded, loving his casual and encouraging caress. “I know.”

“I’ll see about the carriage,” he said.

“Give me an hour and I’ll be ready,” she answered.

“I’m not sure there’s anyone to go with you, my Lady…” he sounded a little hesitant. You should have a maid, or one of us…”

She frowned. “I know. But that kind of social protocol, while expected in London, is more relaxed here, I believe. I will have the driver. And Jane said something about being there today, so if she is, I will try to make sure we connect.”

“It’ll have to do, I suppose.” He sighed. “Giles won’t like it…”

“He’ll forgive me. He pardoned me this morning for a much greater sin.” She grinned and hurried from the room.

Slightly less than an hour later, Adalyn was bundled up against the rain and tucked into the Wolfbridge carriage. The driver was one of the tenants sorely affected by the bad weather, so he was pleased to earn a few extra shillings on the box.

Adalyn hated the thought of him getting soaked, but he had simply shaken his head when she’d mentioned it. “Don’t bother me none, m’Lady. An’ the coins’ll help us out. Well worth a bit of a wettin’, if’n yer ask me.”

Thus reassured, she asked him to drive to Mrs. Barnsley, and let him know that after that brief visit they were for Ditchley.

Mrs. B. was happy to see her, but they kept their discussion short, knowing Adalyn had another trip to make.

“I likes the idea of a little market, Ma’am,” Mrs. B. approved. “Give us all a bit of a chance to trade and barter, even if we make no money.”

“Good.” Adalyn wanted to cheer. “I will see about setting it up then, and as soon as I do I’ll make sure you have the details and we can spread the word. Do you think we’ll see many join us?”

Mrs. B. thought for a bit. “I’d say at least a dozen farmers. Mebbe even more, since a lot of folks without land still got chickens and the odd goat or sheep. Might see some good cheese and perhaps a bit of wool if we’re lucky.”

“Lovely. Just what I’d hoped for.”

“Can’t be doin’ it outside though, if this darn rain keeps up.”

Adalyn grimaced. “I know. But we’ll work around it if we have to.”

“Keep your eyes open fer Jane, m’Lady?” Mrs. B. called from the doorway as Adalyn left. “She walked this morning. She’s probably bedraggled as a wet hen by now.”

Adalyn waved back in acknowledgement.

Leaving the cottage with