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

firm length emerging from its nest of curly hair, the silky reddened skin and the taut flesh beneath.

I had heard whispers of such things, but never seen them. Gabriel’s pale hair drifted over Evan’s thighs as he began to slide his mouth around the thick hard length, and Evan’s eyes closed as he let out a little groan. Was I shocked to find this sight arousing and that my body ached with renewed desire as I saw the slick trails Gabriel’s mouth left on Evan’s body?

Yes, I believe I was. And yet these were two of my gentlemen, and their intimacy, while flouting the strictest of social taboos, was a thing of beauty and affection. I could not find it anything but astoundingly sensual.

As if Jeremy read my thoughts, his hand drifted over my body to my already sensitive flesh. With tiny caresses, he aroused me again, much as Gabriel was doing to Evan. As I watched Gabriel’s hand pulling and tugging in concert with his lips, Jeremy’s fingers teased my delicate tissues, making me open my legs to ease his access.

As surprising as it may seem, between watching my two gentlemen and their sensual attentions, and the touch of Jeremy’s fingers, so alluring and arousing, I once again achieved that magnificent cataclysm, shaking and shivering against the firm body that held me so tightly as I rode out the waves of delight.

Evan’s muted cry of release echoed my own, and I watched in amazement as Gabriel took all of him, not releasing him until he was fully spent.

Then…and tears are coming to my eyes as I write this, Gabriel lifted his head, moved a little and laid it back down on Evan’s bare stomach. Whereupon Evan raised his good hand and ran it gently through Gabriel’s hair as he whispered the words “Thank you, my friend.”

It was almost unbearably beautiful.

Why, I wondered, why are such things regarded as a crime? Evan and Gabriel could hang for what they had just done. To be sentenced to death for an act of love seems the epitome of absurdity. Some things in life I shall never fully understand.

After that moment, we all seemed to tire rapidly, and Evan slipped in beside me, a match to Jeremy on the other side. Gabriel took a blanket and lay across the bottom of the bed, finding my feet and holding them against his chest as he settled.

And that is how we all fell asleep. When I awoke…I was once again alone, with delicious and moving memories of a night that might have been drawn from some sensually erotic novel set in a strange foreign land, instead of a quiet country corner of England.

But I am living proof that such things can happen. And that from the depths of despair, one can indeed rise to the heights of ecstasy.

I am enjoying every minute of those heights.

 

Chapter Thirty-Two

“I apologise for dragging you away from everyone,” said Giles as Royce followed him down the hall. “But this is important and I cannot put it off any longer.”

“Don’t worry about it. I can always join them later. I’m sure they’ll find ways to keep busy even though I’m not with them.”

Giles flashed him a glance as he opened the door to his study and ushered the other man inside. “You enjoy such times?”

“Wouldn’t any man?”

“Of course.” Giles closed the window, shutting out the evening air. The room was cool enough, and he sat, loosening his cravat. “A personal question, Royce, if I may be permitted.”

An expression of curiosity crossed his face, but he nodded. “Of course.”

“Have you…” he paused, seeking the right words. “Have you been intimate with Lady Gwyneth?”

Royce blinked. Then frowned. “What the hell kind of question is that?”

“An important one, or I wouldn’t be asking it,” answered Giles, trying not to sound reproving.

“All right,” said Royce, a frown creasing his brow. “We’ve shared some fun. Some sexual experiences.”

“Define…” Giles caught himself. “No, I need to ask this in clear terms. Have you penetrated the Lady?”

Royce swallowed. “Well, that is blunt talk indeed.” He took a breath. “No. We have shared some experiences that have, I believe, brought her to her peak of pleasure. But no, I have not personally stuck my cock in her, if that’s what you’re pussyfooting around asking me.”

Giles hid his grin. “Yes, that was what I was asking. Thank you for your honesty.”

Royce leaned back. “Now it’s my turn. Why the devil would you want to know the intimate details of my interaction with Gwyneth?”

“Because it’s important and has a direct bearing on what I am about to say.”

“All right, then. Say it.”

“I am leaving Wolfbridge and I want you to take my place.”

Royce paled and stared at Giles with wide eyes. Then he swallowed, cleared his throat and stared a little longer before words actually came out of his mouth. “Say that again. I’m not sure I heard you aright…”

“You heard me correctly, Royce. I am leaving Wolfbridge. I do not make this decision lightly, that’s for certain, but the time has come and matters have changed. I’ve been here for well over two decades now. It has been my home and my sanctuary, and has given me the chance to right many lives, and cherish many Ladies of the Manor.”

“You’re going to leave it? Leave Wolfbridge?” Royce asked, seemingly having a little difficulty understanding the words.

Giles nodded. “Many years ago, when we first met, you’d just enlisted. I knew then, even though we had very little time to get to know each other, that you would make an excellent guardian here. But you weren’t ready. Your life at that point was headed in another direction, and I found that I was happy where I was. Not until most recently did those matters change.