The Rightful Lord (The Saga Of Wolfbridge Manor Book 3) Sahara Kelly (free ebook reader TXT) 📖

Gabriel sighed. “He has to try everything. He won’t give up, Royce. I’ll wager on it..”

Royce looked back. “He is that type, isn’t he? Dogged, determined, wants to win no matter the cost.”

Gabriel nodded. “Until he had what he wanted, whether it was money or…or people,” he took a ragged breath, “he never stopped. He would do anything, try anything, threaten, even kill, to get what he craved.”

“And when he couldn’t buy Fivetrees…” Harry commented.

“Exactly. For some reason, he holds us to blame. And now he wants Wolfbridge as well. He wants it all.” Gabriel shuddered. “He mustn’t have it. God, don’t let him have it.”

“We won’t.” Royce straightened. “But this legal mess needs untangling.”

“You’re going to London,” said Gwyneth.

He nodded, his eyes meeting hers. “Yes.”

She sighed, knowing he was right, but hating the thought of him leaving. Having her men together was the ultimate happiness. Having one of them away…well, it just didn’t seem the same with him gone.

Silence followed Royce’s statement.

“Do you need anyone to go with you?” Harry, ever practical, was first to respond.

“I think not.” Royce shook his head. “I’ll feel better knowing Lady Gwyneth has you all here with her. I doubt Gylbart will travel—I see no particular reason for him to come down here, since all his actions right now concern legalities and must be pursued in London. But still…”

“She will be quite safe,” Jeremy answered. “You know that.”

“I do, and it eases my mind. But this whole matter has gone on long enough. I would see it finished so that we may get back to enjoying our everyday lives.”

Everyone nodded at Royce’s words.

“I would suggest that perhaps our Lady should spend some time at the school while you are absent, Royce,” Gabriel suggested. “Surrounded by our tenants, she will certainly be well protected…”

“A lovely idea, Gabriel, and yes I’d like to be there for a while.” Gwyneth quickly picked up on his comment. “But you’re all acting as if I am under some sort of threat. I’m not. It’s Wolfbridge that is threatened. The lands, the Manor, and Fivetrees too, of course.”

“My Lady, we do not trust Gylbart as far as we could throw him.” Evan responded without a second thought. “Also, we have no idea how far he would go or what he would do to accomplish his goals.”

“Evan’s right, my Lady.” Gabriel looked at her, his eyes pleading for her understanding. “You are the most precious thing in our lives. We must protect you at all costs. And Gylbart might take advantage of that. If he ever got his hands on you…” He shivered.

“There’s nothing we wouldn’t do, or surrender, or sign, to get you back in one piece.” Harry kept his voice level. “We must not give him that chance.”

She swallowed, finally grasping the fear they all shared. Then she nodded. “I will do as you suggest.”

There was a muted sigh of relief and the conversation turned to preparations for Royce’s journey. Gwyneth wanted to write to Giles, and the others had various commissions that he could accomplish while in town.

For a brief moment, she wished she could go with him. Not because she wanted to leave Wolfbridge, but because it was Royce and he would be seeing Giles as well.

She shook it off, but knew she’d feel a lot better upon Royce’s return.

Later that evening, she managed to catch him for a moment, putting her hand on his arm. “Royce. I need to…to see you before you leave.” She stared at him, praying he understood.

“When?”

“Tonight. In my chamber.” She held her breath. He’d not visited her since the New Year.

His body tensed under her hand. “Alone?”

“For this night, yes.”

“Then I shall be pleased to accept, my Lady.” He bowed, and she released him, watching him walk away.

*~~*~~*

Journal of Gwyneth, Lady of Wolfbridge - January 1819

I finally did it. I managed to ensure Royce’s companionship once again. I believe he had avoided such matters since our one night together, which troubled me. Did he not like what we did? Even though all indications were that he was as pleased as I? 

I knew the other gentlemen had no objection to his becoming a part of our real family, for Gabriel told me so. I asked him to suggest to Royce that he join us, but Gabriel merely shook his head, saying that Royce would not respond to an invitation from a gentleman. His pride would insist that I ask myself. 

And when I did, his first concern was would he be alone with me? I found that interesting, since he seems to be quite content with the knowledge that I entertain more than one man in my bed at a time. He was even part of such an evening a while ago. 

Well, perhaps I shall discover more about his thoughts on this matter in the future, but for this one night, it was just Royce and me.

He leaves today, only hours from now, so I must hurry to write the details of our night, before I am summoned to breakfast. And to bid him farewell.

I have just come to the realisation that I shall say goodbye to him tomorrow. Even though Royce will return, I feel something horrid inside at the thought of waving him away.

Especially after last night.

He came to me. I waited for what seemed like hours and then, just as I was about to give up hoping, there was a tiny sound at my door. I opened it to find him there, shirt undone, looking tired. I wanted to take him in my arms then and there, but waited, as is proper, until the door closed us in.

Then I went to him and