The Rightful Lord (The Saga Of Wolfbridge Manor Book 3), Sahara Kelly [english novels for students .TXT] 📗

you should. If you can convince him you value him enough to die with him, perhaps he’ll come to think more of himself.”

“I’ll try.”

“Good for you. I knew you would.” Harry dropped a light kiss on her cheek and took off toward the kitchens.

“Tell Evan that Ione’s here?” She called after him, getting a wave and a nod in response.

The parlour was warm when she opened the door, and Gabriel’s smile even warmer. Darcy was taking full advantage, and had curled up on another ottoman, close enough for Gabriel to reach out and pet him if he was so inclined. Gwyneth’s arrival elicited little more than a raised head and a wag of the tail.

“There you are, my Lady. I am glad to see you.”

“And I you, Gabriel. Ione arrived just now. She’s gone upstairs but I’m sure she’ll be in to say hello soon.” She hurried to his side and knelt, leaning on the chair and looking at his foot. “Is the pain bad?”

“It’s getting easier every day. Burns are always hard to cope with.” He grimaced. “As I know only too well.”

“Oh Gabriel, love.” She leaned her head on his thigh. “You’ve suffered so much. I’m sorry this has added to your burdens.”

“It hasn’t. I only have one worry,” he said slowly. “That I am a burden to you.”

She jerked up her head and looked at him. “How can you say such a thing? You saved my life. You gave me that extra push out of the hall…”

“And you stayed with me. You risked everything to stay with me.” His china blue eyes filled with tears. “Why, Gwyneth? I’m not worth that kind of risk. You know where I came from, what I’ve been…nothing about my life deserves what you did.”

She opened her mouth to argue, but then thought better of it. Instead, she took one of his hands, rested it on his knee and laid her cheek against it. “You’re wrong. You, and all my gentlemen are worth that kind of risk. I value each and every one of you. You’ve all made me what I am. You give me strength, love, support and encouragement every day of my life. You cannot imagine what a difference you have all made to my very existence. You all share my bed and I share my body in return. But you’ve given me so much more than that. You’ve taught me how to love. And that was something I never thought I’d ever be able to do.”

She paused and rubbed her cheek against his skin. “Learning to love again, without the fear of being rejected or mistreated…it’s been an effort for me, Gabriel. But the rewards have been beyond anything I could imagine. And yes, I would risk my life for any of you. Because it’s the life you have given me. I could do no less.” She looked up at him. “Do you understand what I’m trying to say?”

A single tear coursed down over his cheek as he nodded. “Yes, my Lady. Yes…” His voice broke and Gwyneth rose from her knees, putting her arms around his neck and kissing away the moisture. “Enough, silly. I need you well. I need all my gentlemen. And soon.” She let her tongue slip between his lips, deepening their kiss.

Finally, she released him. “Do I make myself clear?”

“As glass,” he smiled, his cheeks filling with colour. “I won’t be dancing anytime soon, but there are probably a few other things I’ll probably be able to manage before too long…” His look was filled with the wickedness she loved to see.

“Right then. Now that Ione’s arrived, Giles has promised us some news. So you had better rest before dinner, because you absolutely must be there.”

She walked to the door. “I mean it, Gabriel. I love you all so very much. Never doubt that.”

His smile of joy was the only answer she needed.

Chapter Thirty-Four

“Evan, your meal was, as always, magnificent.” Giles touched a napkin to his lips and leaned back with a sigh. “I am replete.”

Evan grinned. “There is no better compliment than that.”

The others around the table echoed the sentiments, and even Darcy, tucked away by Royce’s foot, gave a celebratory woof, making them all laugh.

“Did you slip him some tidbits?” Gwyneth looked accusingly at Royce.

“Me?” His eyes widened. “How could you think such a thing?” He snickered. “Of course there might have been a couple of pieces of meat that slipped off my fork, but I’m sure Darcy was far too much of a gentleman to devour them.”

“I thought so,” Gwyneth frowned. “He’s getting plump.”

“I would too if I ate like this every day,” laughed Ione.

Gwyneth stood. “Let’s clear away and then retire to the parlour. Yes, there will be brandy, but I believe Giles has some news for us?” She shot him a hopeful glance.

He nodded and stood, helping Ione with her chair. “I do indeed. I’ll take Ione in and set up the brandy tray, unless anyone wants tea?”

Silence greeted his question.

He laughed. “I thought not.”

As everyone piled in to help, the matter of the dishes and what few leftovers there were, was efficiently dealt with, and all the current Wolfbridge residents, along with their two guests, were soon settled in the parlour, with glasses of brandy within reach.

“Right then, Giles.” Gwyneth nodded at him. “What news have you to share with us?”

He looked around him, seeing faces he knew almost better than his own. And the room, one with which he was so familiar it was second nature to set the tray of brandy in a certain spot where the slightly shorter leg wouldn’t wobble.

Silly things to think of at this moment, but it helped him maintain his balance. This night would change so many things for all of them.

He only hoped