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

Harry shook his head, trying not to grin. “I agree, Jeremy, but by God your faces are worth their weight in gold right at this moment.”

“How can you laugh?” Gwyneth whirled around to him. “Is it a good idea for me to wed Royce? What about the rest of you? It’s not fair…” She turned on Giles. “You of all people, Giles, you should understand. How can you ask this of me?”

“I should add,” said Royce, ignoring her outburst. “That even though I renounced my title some years ago, before the war, I am still, legally, Royce Hadley, Earl of St. Arvans. There are no others in the family to claim it.”

“Oh.” Evan’s soft exclamation rang as clear as a bell across the silence that had fallen in the parlour.

“So now we’ve an Earl and a brand new member of the Landed Gentry in our presence. I’m not sure I can stand much more,” said Harry, shaking his head in an attempt to collect his wits.

“I…” Gwyneth blinked, speechless.

“There’s more, so take a breath. A deep one.” Royce seemed to be enjoying himself now.

Giles let his hand rest on Ione’s shoulder. This next revelation would be interesting.

“I do realise, no matter what you might be thinking at this moment, that I have no more right to marry our Lady than any of you. Less, in fact, since I’ve known her for a shorter time. However, while in town, I visited an old friend of the family. A Bishop. And I persuaded him to provide me with a marriage licence, which I happen to have here.” He pulled a document from the pile on the table.

Clearing his throat, he picked it up and read it. “It approves the marriage of Gwyneth, Dowager Duchess of Kilham, Lady of Wolfbridge, to Royce Evan Gabriel Harold Jeremy Hadley, Earl of St. Arvans, Baron Westlake and Viscount Meadwick.”  He paused then grinned. “The names after mine are alphabetical, that’s all.”

Giles bit his lip at the varying expressions on the faces of those in the room. Finally, he took pity on them. “Gwyneth cannot marry all of you, obviously. Not in the official sense of the word. But unofficially? If you are willing, this document will allow you all to be the husbands of the Lady of Wolfbridge.”

*~~*~~*

Gwyneth’s head whirled, and she closed her eyes, gripping the arm of the sofa, lest she fall off it in a faint.

Five husbands? Good lord, she’d never imagined such a thing. But wasn’t that an accurate description of her current situation? Would anything change?

She opened her eyes and looked at the others to find them all looking at her. She swallowed roughly. “I…” she began. “Um…I don’t quite know what to say…”

Gabriel released the hand he was holding, and she turned to him, seeing a smile dawn on his face. “I think it is a marvellous idea. It knits our family tighter than ever. I can’t say they are legal ties, because of course they’re not, and that means that if—at any time—anyone should wish to leave, they can. Except Royce, of course. But it also brings us as close as we can be. I say yea.”

“He’s right.” Jeremy looked at her. “I don’t want to be anywhere else but at your side for the rest of my life. Wolfbridge is my home. I would be very proud to be one of your husbands.”

“They’ve said what I was going to say,” added Evan. “I can think of nothing more wonderful than to be assured that this is truly my home forever. And truly I already feel like your husband, Gwyneth. To be one in truth—well, that is the most delightful thing I can imagine.”

“Harry?” Royce turned to him.

“It’s a damned clever scheme,” he admitted with a grin at both Giles and Royce. “I find myself very glad that we fought on the same side.”

Royce chuckled at that, and Giles gave him a mock salute.

“I agree with everything that’s been said. I haven’t been here as long as the rest of you, that’s for certain. But having a home like this, with good people, doing good things for tenants and children—it’s as close to paradise as I think I’ll ever get.” He looked at Gwyneth. “If you would accept me as one of your husbands, I would be proud to hold that title.”

“Wait,” said Gwyneth. “What about the land? If Gabriel owns it, can we still live here?”

“I’m not about to evict you, love,” he quipped with a grin.

“No, I didn’t mean that.” She looked at Giles. “You know what I’m trying to say…”

“I do,” he smiled. “And it is a complex situation. However, nobody can deny Gabriel’s right to inherit, not just Wolfbridge, but also Fivetrees. Those documents are unassailable. This information is already in the hands of the Withersbys, and it will probably necessitate a couple of meetings in London in the spring.” He gave Gabriel a wry smile. “That is unavoidable, I’m afraid. But I don’t believe Judith and her husband are particularly interested in the land anymore. They’re unlikely to do anything other than pat you on the back and let you get on with it.”

“But with what?” Gabriel looked worried. “I know nothing about being a landowner…”

“I completely understand.” Giles’ voice was soothing. “Here’s something to consider. If you, Gabriel, as the owner of the land, decided to offer an extended lease to your friend Earl St. Arvans, for a time to be decided upon, I doubt such an arrangement would occasion any comment at all. And it would be quite legal.”

“Would that make Royce Lord Wolfbridge, even though he’s already an Earl?” Gwyneth blinked in confusion.

Giles shook his head. “No. The Wolfbridge title ended with Jerald. The “Lady of Wolfbridge” we use today is strictly an honorary title. Which