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

“Dammit all to hell,” he swore softly. “Randschen. Baron Randschen.” He ran his hands through his hair. “Why didn’t I recognise the name?”

“Who is it, Jeremy?” Gwyneth leaned forward, uneasy at his obvious distress.

“A man who does indeed have some high-level connections. In Prussia House.” He turned to Giles. “And I killed his brother.”

Chapter Twenty-Two

Giles listened as Jeremy related the tale of a young man who interrupted a horrible crime against a young woman, and in the course of preventing it, accidentally killed the would-be rapist. The name was different, but the family was the same. Jeremy’s actions had resulted in the death of Gerhard Kruger, brother to Hans Kruger, Baron Randschen.

He watched the faces around him; Trick and Evan were familiar with the story already, but to Royce and Gabriel it was new, and he was interested to see their reactions.

Gwyneth reacted as most every woman would, in his opinion. She was shocked, stunned and furious that Jeremy had suffered such a dreadful experience for something that was a complete accident.

Gabriel seemed to echo her thoughts, shaking his head, his eyes wide.

There was a man who knew the horrors of rape, realised Giles. The shudders visibly wracking him most likely came from his own memories. “I wish there were more like you, Jeremy,” he murmured.

“As do I, Gabriel. As do I.” Gwyneth touched his shoulder in agreement.

“At least you rid the earth of one vermin,” said Royce practically. “Well done. No great loss to anyone, from what I hear, and a young woman saved, to boot. So now our questions must turn to another one. Is Randschen as bad as his brother? And my money’s on the affirmative.”

“I wish I knew,” Giles frowned. “My only interaction with him has been here, through Lady Gwyneth.”

Royce leaned forward, resting his forearms on his knees. “It would certainly appear as if we have a couple of unpleasant characters in our midst.”

“You might have to add one more,” Trick bit his lip. “There’s a rumour…and I stress only a rumour…that Sir Alfred Gylbart is in the neighbourhood.”

“Dear God above,” Gabriel’s muted cry drew everyone’s attention.

“Gabriel, hush. Don’t distress yourself. Tell us. Who is this man?” Gwyneth felt him move close to her side and rest against her leg. He was shaking his head, his hair flying around like a pale blonde cloud.

She glanced at Giles. “Do you know, Giles?”

“I know the name, yes. It stands for everything that is disgusting, debauched and unspeakable.” His mouth twisted into a hard line. “A couple of years ago, he was discovered to be running a very profitable house of pleasure. Unfortunately, it catered to a certain kind of man whose tastes ran to worse things than you can imagine.”

“Now I remember.” Royce nodded. “Quite a scandal at the time.” He glanced at Giles. “A bad man. A very bad man.”

“I’m certainly out of touch then,” said Evan. “Never heard of him.”

“Neither have I,” added Jeremy.

“You’re lucky,” said Giles. His attention turned to Gabriel. “I believe I cannot say the same for our Gabriel.”

He’d reached for Gwyneth’s hand and held it tightly to his shoulder. He lifted his head, still trembling. “I’m sorry. Just hearing his name was a shock.”

“Gabriel, you don’t have to…”

“I do, dear Lady. You all have to know what a monstrous beast that man is.”

“You have met him?” she asked gently.

He nodded. “Several years ago now. I was…I was working in a house just outside of London.” His eyes fell to the floor. “Please don’t ask what I was doing.”

“It’s all right, love,” Gwyneth rubbed her hand over his and bent toward him, brushing his head with her other hand. “It’s all right.”

Gabriel pulled himself together as best he could. “It wasn’t a bad place overall, and we were fed and clothed. Better than more than a few such houses. But then that man arrived, and we were all told to assemble in the drawing room.”

Gwyneth saw Gabriel and Royce exchange glances.

“He told us he was very rich and he’d make us rich too. He was going to pick four of us to go back to London and work for him instead. He told us of all the wonderful things we’d see, and the money we’d make…so many promises that some were ready to leave that instant.”

“But not you?” Jeremy asked, his voice troubled.

“No, not me. I didn’t even want to be where I was, let alone go to London.” Gabriel sighed, a gust of air that sounded as if it came from his soul. “Sir Albert decided to stay the night, and make his selection the following morning.”

Giles interrupted. “Gabriel, you do not need to go on. We don’t need to hear what you don’t want to relate, lad.”

The gentle reassurance seemed to help Gabriel. He lifted his eyes to Giles. “You can guess what happened. Sir Albert decided to…to test several of us. Myself included.”

Gwyneth was looking worried, but kept silent.

“He decided against taking you?” asked Jeremy.

Gabriel pulled free of Gwyneth’s touch. “Excuse me, my Lady. There’s something you all should see.” He stood and loosened his breeches. Turning his back to them all, he lowered one side, revealing his buttock.

“Dear God in Heaven,” breathed Evan.

“The bastard branded you.” Royce barely managed to speak the words.

“Jesus,” muttered Trick, pale as a ghost.

“Gabriel…Gabriel…no…” Gwyneth stumbled to her feet and rushed to him. “It’s not a birthmark, is it? Oh God, I thought it was a birthmark…” She hugged him fiercely as he refastened his clothing.

He put his arms around her, holding her close. “That’s the kind of man Sir Albert Gylbart is. His houses are filled with the pleasures derived from pain, from torture, from beatings. And sadly all those vile behaviours are visited on youngsters.