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

She nodded and moved to the door to summon Gerald.

“Yes, Trick. I believe I am.”

Chapter Twenty-Three

Upon returning to the carriage, Adalyn found Jane waiting inside.

“I hope you will forgive this intrusion, my Lady,” she said as she retreated into the corner and made room for Adalyn. “I was here in Ditchley and heard you were visiting Mr. Trick. I hoped for a break in the weather, but it doesn’t look like we’ll get it, so rather than walk…”

“Of course, Jane, of course. You did just the right thing. You’d told me you’d would be in Ditchley this week, but I couldn’t recall the day, but your Mama reminded me about it. So all has worked out well, and I shall be glad of the company on the way home.” Adalyn smoothed her skirts and settled herself as the driver shut them in. “This rain is quite horrid, so I’m sure we’re both content to be out of it at the moment.”

“’Tis a worry indeed,” answered Jane. “There’s mutters about the river rising.”

“I noticed that on the way here. It was tumbling under the bridge at quite a frantic rate.”

With a jerk and a whinny of horses, they were off, rattling down the small streets of Ditchley and then out onto the road toward Wolfbridge.

“Mr. Trick looked well, Jane, and was most complimentary toward you.” Adalyn watched the youthful face next to her. She barely noticed the scarring now, having become acquainted with Jane the young woman, not Jane the unfortunate victim.

“He’s so kind, Ma’am.” Jane’s beam transformed her. “Always has a thank you and a smile for me, and he makes me feel like I’m someone special.”

Adalyn couldn’t help but smile back. “He has a gift for that, doesn’t he?”

Jane nodded. “He…well, he’s been so kind. I never knew that anyone would be that kind to someone like me.” She took a breath. “Especially somebody as important as Mr. Trick.”

Adalyn watched the young face, noting the warmth that rose in her cheeks. “I hope you’ll find that everyone at Wolfbridge is the same way, Jane. And I have to correct one thing…Trick is as important to all of us as you are. I am learning that the Manor is more of a family than an estate. Yes, it has lands, but the heart of Wolfbridge is in its people. And you are one of its people.”

“Oh, but…I…” Her hand lifted to her scars. “No, I couldn’t…”

“Yes you can, my dear. Set aside your concerns. You are a part of our family now.” Adalyn reached over and took the cold hand in hers. “You tend to me with efficiency and kindness. You have spent many hours going to Ditchley to visit Trick. We could ask no more of each other, and thus you have become one of us. Please remember that?”

“I don’t know quite what to say, Ma’am…” Jane looked at a loss.

“Keep Trick happy for me, Jane.” Adalyn wasn’t sure where those words came from, but they seemed appropriate. “He needs your comfort right now. And I cannot visit him as much as I’d like.”

“But, m’Lady, he’s one of yours…”

“One of ours,” Adalyn corrected. “And we care for him as we care for each other.”

Jane’s eyes filled with tears and she stared out the window, hiding her emotions. Looking at her, a sudden realisation swept over Adalyn.

Jane had fallen in love with Trick.

It wasn’t surprising, given that the man had charm enough for a dozen, but was this wise? She did not want to see the girl hurt—she’d had enough pain in her life already. Trick had spoken highly of her, and yet he’d shown no reticence in kissing and caressing Adalyn.

She sighed. It was too much to ponder at this moment with other things pressing for her attention.

She pushed it to the back of her mind, to be drawn out and considered at a later time.

The continuing rain slowed the return journey, and when they reached the Wolf river bridge Adalyn frowned. “I believe the river has risen since I crossed it earlier today,” she commented.

“’Tis possible, Ma’am,” agreed Jane, looking out her side of the carriage. “Ma always says the rain storms in the hills makes the water rise, but I have to think that what we’re getting now isn’t helping…”

It was now an angry and roiling torrent of water, assaulting the banks and foaming downstream; Adalyn wondered how much rain it took to cause such a violent change in an ordinarily calm body of water.

However, the bridge seemed sound, and they crossed over, happy to be nearing the Manor. Jane was deposited at the Barnsley front door, with many thanks from her and a yelled blessing and wave from Mrs. B.

Adalyn scurried into Wolfbridge, very happy to be home and utterly tired of the heavy rain. “Where is everyone?”

Jeremy entered the hall and helped her off with her coat. “Daniel and Giles are out.”

“In this weather? Good lord,” Adalyn freed a lock of hair from the back of her bonnet.

“Daniel has gone to the farms and then the river,” Jeremy’s face clearly showed his concern. “You must have seen how high the water is rising.”

She nodded. “Both Jane and I mentioned that when we drove over it. Is there really a danger of it overflowing its banks?”

“Yes, my Lady,” he answered. “Yes, it’s a real danger.”

“What can we do? Wait…” she hurried into the Rose room and pulled out the map of Wolfbridge. “Show me.”

Together they bent over the large sheet, and Jeremy’s fingers traced the river. “Here’s the bridge, and here we are. The Manor house is on a bit of a rise, so we’re not at risk unless there is a flood of biblical proportions…” He shot her a quick glance. “Nobody has ever seen that happen.”

“Well, that’s one worry off my mind.” She stared at the markings. “But here…” her finger pointed at the dwellings near the river road. “These are farms, yes? Mrs. B. Is at the top