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

m’Lady. Whatever yer wants.” Mrs B’s voice firmed. “Them lads are ‘ere for yer. Only yer. So yer gotta get past that feelin’ like yer a wicked lass for takin’ what yer want from ‘em.”

Gwyneth stared. The advice was practical and logical. But oh so…wicked was indeed the right word.

“Shocked yer, didn’ I?” Mrs B grinned with amusement.

“Yes,” choked Gwyneth. “You certainly did.”

“Trouble is,” she sipped tea, licked her lips, and then looked back at Gwyneth. “Trouble is, yer all raised ter be ladylike.” She spoke the word as if it tasted sour. “Best yer be raised womanlike. Ready ter do them woman things, like ‘avin’ kids, puttin’ together and keepin’ a family. An’ not bein’ ashamed of lovin’ men. An’ we know that ain’t always the easiest row to hoe.”

“Indeed,” agreed Gwyneth. “Although if we were free to choose the men we loved, that row would go much more smoothly.” She sighed. “I take your point.”

“So my advice ter yer? Start with one o’ them, then try a couple more. Ye’ll know sooner or later which one’s right fer yer.”

Gwyneth rolled her eyes, unable to stop a spurt of laughter. “You are so wise, Mrs B. But do understand that even if I take your advice, I’m not going to tell you about any of it.”

“Well, damn, m’Lady. Never say yer a spoilsport…Dashed all me ‘opes for them saucy details, yer ‘ave.”

The consequent laughter from both ladies rattled the teacups.

*~~*~~*

Seeing Mrs B had distracted Gwyneth enough that she had almost forgotten about the letter she’d received. But once alone again, her thoughts revolved back to that problem.

She’d not told Giles of the specific threat to her; but was glad she’d given the letter to him.  The fact that someone knew her “darkest secret” might have been an idle one, but since it specified that not even her husband had known, she was certain there was only one matter to which the blackmailer was referring. And it had been buried so far in her past that she was astonished and shocked anyone had learned of it.

Which brought her back to the main question that plagued her. And probably plagued Giles as well. Who? Who could have discovered all that information? As to the whys of it…well probably demands for money. Greed lay at the bottom of so many unpleasant situations; why should this be any different?

She sat in the Rose room after lunch, a book open on her lap, her mind turning over the issue and coming up with not a single useful idea. It would have to be someone who was familiar with her family’s home, a modest house in a small town, not notable for anything in particular.

She closed her eyes, frustrated that she could not come anywhere near to solving this annoying and threatening puzzle. Then she gave herself a mental shake and decided to leave it for now, since there were other matters to attend to.  The Lady of Wolfbridge shouldn’t be sitting so silently and trying to recall years past. She should be working for the future, and the most useful thing she could do at the moment was make some lists for the Whit Sunday fête.

That was how Giles found her when he peered in.  “My Lady, you have a caller. Baron Randschen is here and requests a few moments of your time.”

She returned her pen to the inkwell, pushed some papers aside and stood, rounding the small table holding her notes and coming to the centre of the room. Giles met her gaze and read her concern. “I will be here in the hall, my Lady.” It was a whisper.

She nodded, somewhat reassured. “Then do please show the Baron in, Giles.” She knew her words would carry past the door and to the ears of the Baron.

He entered, his dark eyes finding her face immediately. His smile was there, but as always she felt no corresponding warmth. This time, there would be no answering smile. She was finished with such pretence.

“Baron. This is a surprise.” She walked back to her chair and indicated the one on the other side of the table. He had no choice but to take it. “I had assumed you would send a message before your next visit.”

He ignored the subtle reprimand. “I could not wait, my dear. My spirits have been quite chaotic as I await your response. I repeated our conversation over and over again in my head, and I came to understand the number of things I never said to you. I did tell you of my deepest regard, but I should also have offered the suggestion that our alliance need not disrupt your life. This is a pretty enough house…” his eyes wandered over the room, “and should the estate be profitable, we could certainly reside here. If not all year, then part of it. Of course, I’m sure you’d prefer London for the season, at least…” He attempted another smile.

Her teeth had clenched as he began his speech. She was surprised she hadn’t cracked a tooth by the end of it.

This had to stop, and it had to stop now. He’d made his reasons quite clear, to her mind, anyway.

She rose. “Baron, I am—of course—honoured by your proposal. But I am not looking for a husband at all. I will not consider marriage, and even if I did, it would not to be to you, sir, a man I barely know, and for whom I do not cherish any warm affections.”

He rose, his mouth opening in protest, a frown upon his face.

She stopped him with a raised hand. “Allow me to finish, if you please. My residence here at Wolfbridge and my assumption of the title Lady of Wolfbridge come from a distant relation. The terms of this inheritance are quite clear. Upon the marriage of a Lady