The Dowager Countess (The Saga of Wolfbridge Manor Book 2) Sahara Kelly (book club recommendations TXT) 📖

he was sure that underneath this apparently calm and controlled exterior, more emotions were currently in play.

“This is Wolfbridge Manor, Gabriel. A unique estate with many interesting facets. The most important of which is our mandate. We do not look down on anyone. Ever. We are pledged to work for everyone’s best interests; we protect our land and our Lady; and we will give unceasingly of ourselves to make sure she has the chance to become the woman she is meant to be.”

Gabriel’s face creased in a slight frown. “I don’t…I’m not certain I understand.”

“Have you ever heard of Wolfbridge?” It was a casual question, but one Giles posed with far from casual interest.

“Can’t say as I have,” the other man replied. “I’m not even sure where this is, to be honest, since the last thing I remember…” he paused and shook his head at himself. “Well, I’d prefer not to. But I think we were somewhere around Basingstoke?”

“That’s correct, yes.” He’d let the matter of the engraved locket go for a while. There was time to return to it once they had determined the crucial matters. “Let me explain a little about Wolfbridge, if I can.” He leaned back in his chair.

Gabriel settled himself to listen.

“More than a few generations ago, the first Lady Wolfbridge lost her husband. After his death she was pursued to the edge of madness by suitors desiring this land and the Manor. She turned them all away, a constant chore apparently, and favoured only one gentleman, who alas proved false and betrayed her with another.”

“A sad tale,” said Gabriel, his mouth curving downward.

“Well, Lady Wolfbridge was fortunate to have the ear of someone high up in Parliament. She had her lawyers arrange a new settlement for Wolfbridge. A new and unique entail. Henceforth, she decreed that only women could run the estate. Those women had to have a connection to the Wolfbridge line, and be in desperate need of sanctuary.”

Gabriel’s eyes widened. “The lady upstairs? Lady Gwyneth?”

“Yes,” nodded Giles. “She is our new Lady of Wolfbridge.”

“Did the old one die?”

It was a logical question, realised Giles with a grin. “No, not at all. She married another just before Christmas.”

“Uh…”

“I know it’s confusing, but bear with me. Let’s accept that there is always a Lady of the Manor, but no Lord. And that the Lady needs to have the support, companionship and encouragement of those around her so she may fulfil her duties as well as possible.”

“And also so she can find herself. Or…what was it you said…find sanctuary?” He thought about it. “That’s healing, isn’t it?”

“Many times, yes.”

“She will heal then, and become the Lady of Wolfbridge?” He lifted his chin gesturing to the rooms above them.

“She already is,” replied Giles. “It will take time for her to understand and learn, but that is why we are all here.”

Gabriel digested that, and Giles watched as his mind made an assortment of connections, ending up with him exactly where Giles needed him to be.

“May I ask…what about me? Am I to play a role in this awakening, if you will, or should I prepare to leave Wolfbridge?”

He asked with his shoulders square and his back straight. He did not plead, or add unnecessary words to his question. It was blunt, straightforward and showed he was halfway there to understanding what Wolfbridge was all about.

Giles steepled his fingers. “You have a choice, Gabriel. I—and the other gentlemen—believe you would be an excellent addition. But it is entirely up to you.” He held up his hand as the other man opened his mouth. “But…before you answer, I should explain that you would have household duties, as do the others. Evan, as you know, is our cook, Jeremy has been the first footman for quite some time now, and Royce is to be the estate manager. I’m not sure where you would fit into the roster yet, as long as you understand there is work involved.”

Gabriel nodded, but remained silent.

“The men are all, without hesitation, devoted to the welfare and well-being of our Lady. They fulfil her wishes, her desires, as best they can, without equivocation or question.” He held Gabriel’s gaze. “No matter where or when, if the Lady wants something from any of them, they deliver.”

There was silence for a moment or two.

“So if…” Gabriel’s voice was more tentative now, “if she desired…a gentleman…”

“Or two…”

Gabriel blinked. “Um…yes, I suppose…then that desire would be fulfilled?”

“In any way she wished.”

“Oh.”

Giles could almost see the wheels turning in the younger man’s head.

“I don’t know if I…” He shifted awkwardly on his chair.

“That’s understandable.” Giles eased the moment. “And you must understand nobody is ever asked to do anything they find unpleasant, or uncomfortable, or even dangerous to themselves or others. We are about giving loving support, encouragement, and yes offering pleasure when it is appropriate.” He kept his gaze level on Gabriel’s face.

“I’ve never…” Gabriel’s throat moved as he swallowed down what must have been a huge lump of embarrassment. “I don’t know how…”

Giles waved his words aside. “All that matters is would you be willing to try?”

Long moments passed as Gabriel bit his bottom lip, considering the question. Finally, he looked back up at Giles. “Yes. Yes, I would. I’ve done many things I’ve not wanted to, sir. Been forced into untenable situations I thought would kill me. But somehow, for some reason, I am still here. And you found me. Perhaps this…” he gazed around him, “or perhaps even the lady upstairs…perhaps those are the reasons I have survived thus far. But my answer to you is yes, I would be willing to try being a gentleman of Wolfbridge. And I could most certainly pledge my loyalty, my obedience…and even my life, for whatever it’s worth, to her—and to you.”