The Dowager Countess (The Saga of Wolfbridge Manor Book 2) Read online

  Royce shrugged. “Honestly? I don’t think he knows what his preferences are. He’s never had chance to find out.”

  Evan agreed. “We talked yesterday while we were making sure he was all right.”

  “What did he say?”

  All three of them related their conversation with Gabriel, adding in their opinions as they did so. Giles couldn’t help but be impressed. Royce had slipped right into the role destined for him, and it was likely his military career had helped. One had to get on with others when in the ranks. And rising within them made that an absolute necessity. He was ready to be a Wolfbridge gentleman now. He hadn’t been all those years before when he and Giles had first met.

  “So, if I read you all aright, nobody would be averse to inviting Gabriel to join us, and make our numbers complete?”

  There was silence for a few moments, then Evan spoke.

  “I think he would be an excellent addition, Giles. But…” he gently tapped his fingers on the table, taking a moment to choose his words. “What of the needs of our new Lady?” Colouring slightly, he continued. “The physical needs? What if he cannot fulfil them?”

  Giles nodded. “That is a good question, but not one that we can answer at this time, and certainly not one that he can answer, from the sound of it.”

  “Just a thought here,” added Royce. “From what he said last night, and from what I heard many times over my years in the army…he might well be a man who deals well with both men and women.”

  All eyes turned to him, Giles’s included.

  “I’ve heard of such things,” admitted Jeremy. “But…well, one doesn’t really dwell on them, does one?”

  “No,” agreed Evan. “I would say the same.”

  “You should’ve joined up,” grinned Royce. “Enlarged your experiences.” He chuckled at the look the two of them exchanged. “And before you even think about it, don’t ask me how it works. We all know that there are matters likely to get you prosecuted, destroyed and hanged, if you’re not extremely careful. Buggery is one of the biggest offences in that regard. But we also know that such things are a lot more common than others would like to believe.”

  “Royce is right. And here at Wolfbridge we are for justice and for the well-being of our fellows. Not to mention our Lady.” Giles looked at the faces around him. “Let’s remember that.” He rose. “I will talk to Gabriel today. I will give him the basics of the Wolfbridge situation and see how he responds.”

  “And I am for the Lady’s room,” Royce also rose. “I doubt there will have been a change, but I want to make sure she is progressing as well as possible this morning.” He glanced at Giles. “That’ll free up Gabriel for you, if you’re ready…”

  “I’ll find him.” Giles headed for the door. “We have a lot to do. Best get to it.”

  Chapter Nine

  “You want to see me?” Gabriel’s head peered tentatively around the door of Giles’s study.

  “I do, yes. Come in…”

  He’d lit a fire, but the room had yet to fully warm; it was one of those grey and dark days when the clouds couldn’t decide whether to rain or snow, or just hang low over everything. Gabriel walked in and glanced out the window with a frown.

  “Another vile winter day, it would seem,” he commented.

  “We have them, no escaping it,” answered Giles mildly. “Sit down, if you would. And tell me of your health?”

  “Other than the black eye, a lot of bruises and a disinclination to laugh loudly or be hugged, I am well.” He looked down at his hands for a moment. “And for that I have you to thank, sir. I believe I owe you and Royce my life, not to put too fine a point on it.”

  “Anyone would have done the same…”

  Gabriel shook his head. “No. Forgive me, but there I must disagree with you. Assisting an injured man is the humane course of action. But given the words that were thrown after me—names I am sure you heard—for you to still come to my rescue is an act above and beyond the ordinary.” He looked at Giles squarely. “I am so much more than grateful.”

  Giles met his gaze, seeing something stirring in the green depths. Pain, perhaps. Resignation…defeat…he wasn’t sure. But 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, a
nd 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.”

  Giles hid a sigh of relief. “Excellent, lad. In that case, you are more than welcome here. Evan, Jeremy and Royce have already agreed to my offering you this chance, so now all we have to do is tell them the good news.”

  Gabriel’s spine visibly loosened a little and the tension left his shoulders on an exhale. “I am so happy about this,” he said, a quiet smile crossing his features. “It feels as if I’ve come home.”

  “And now, since you are home, we have to find you work.” Giles smiled back. “What can you do?”

  “Uh…” Gabriel blinked at the question. “Well, what do you need?”

  “Right this moment?” Giles leaned back in his chair. “I need someone with the ability to be gentle and sympathetic to our Lady.”

  Gabriel frowned slightly. “I’m not sure I see why?”

  “Put yourself in her place. She will regain her health over the next weeks, but she knows nobody here. Not the house, the countryside or any of us. She has nothing of her own, no clothes, no friends, not even much hair since I had to cut that off.” He shuddered a little at the memory.

  “A difficult situation for her, I agree,” said Giles.

  “And you are in pretty much the same one, Gabriel.”

  “Ahh.” He nodded. “I see. Yes. Peas in a pod, so to speak. She might be less afraid to speak to me since I too am unfamiliar with all these things and will be learning them at her side.”

  Pleased that he understood so quickly, Giles smiled and rose. “You have it in one. And, of course, should her Ladyship unwittingly reveal matters that we should know about—is she in any danger from anyone in her previous life, that sort of thing—you will be able to let us know so we can take whatever actions we feel necessary.”

  “So, spy on her?” Gabriel’s eyebrow rose.

  “Not in so many words, no. Confidences must not be betrayed. But her welfare is everything, Gabriel. So you will be the judge of what you think we should know, and what may remain between the two of you.”

  “All right. That sounds fair.” Gabriel stood as well. “Um…she will need clothing as she heals…”

  “And you’ll need some, too. That will come from our household accounts. Royce is settling in as estate manager, so he’ll have more information on that in a few days.”

  Gabriel nodded. “I will speak with Royce.”

  “One thing,” said Giles casually. “When we found you, you had a small purse strapped to your ankle. It’s in your bedside table now. It contained a locket, which bears an interesting inscription in Latin.” He watched Gabriel’s face. “May I ask where you got it?”

  Gabriel nodded. “Oh good, that’s where it is. I am so glad you found it, and that I still had it on me. My aunt gave it to me when I first went to live with her. I believe it was from one of her ancestors, but I’m not positive. The miniature isn’t anyone I know.”

  “Ah,” answered Giles. “That makes sense. Just so you know, that’s all you had on you. It was clever of you to conceal it so well.”

  “I don’t think it’s very valuable to anyone but me,” he commented. “But again, thank you for the information.”

  Giles sat back, understanding that the young man did not understand the connection to Wolfbridge. He made a mental note to do a little research into the Parr lineage when he had time.

  “Any other questions?”

  “Probably thousands, but I can’t think of a single one at the moment.” Gabriel’s green eyes were clear and focussed, the shadows that had been there earlier were no more, as a smile lit his face. “I will go and visit my…my Lady patient.”

  “The room you use…it is acceptable?”

  “Very much so.”

  “Then it is yours. Tell Jeremy if there’s anything else you would like in it.”

  Gabriel nodded and walked to the door. “Thank you, Giles.” He opened the door and put his hand on the side, turning back to look at him. “Lady Gwyneth’s life may not be the only one you’ve saved this week.”

  Giles, left alone in his study, accepted that Gabriel might indeed have been right.

  *~~*~~*

  Oh God, I ache so badly.

  Gwyneth moaned as she awoke, wondering how a body could be so painful and not claim the life of the one who occupied it.

  “Easy now, my Lady.”

  A soft voice sounded from beside her and the bed dipped as someone sat next to her. “I have a drink for you. Sweet with honey. Just what you need to get you back on your feet.”

  An arm circled her and she moaned again as she felt herself raised enough to have a cup placed to her lips. Obediently, she drank, the warm sweet water sliding down her parched throat, a blissful sensation she could barely believe.

  “Ohhh,” she sighed as someone withdrew the cup. “More…”

  “In a little while,” answered the voice. “We have to be careful not to overdo it. You’ve been very ill, but you’re getting better. Patience is important.”

  She was allowed to lean back again into pillows, cool and fresh and smelling of roses. For the first time in longer than she could recall, she wanted to open her eyes. If this was indeed Heaven, then she would see what it looked like.

  Slowly, she tried, but her eyelids seemed stiff. She frowned with frustration.

  “Wait, my dear, just a moment. This may help.”

  A warm cloth touched her face, lingering so gently on her eyes, moistening the skin and bringing a sigh of pleasure to her lips.

  “There now, that’s better.”

  It was indeed. She could lift her eyelids, and blink rapidly, her eyes rough, stinging a little. It took several moments for her to bring anything into focus; it seemed she was in a room, in bed, but it was very blurry.

  A face appeared, a pale and lovely face with green eyes and the fairest hair she could ever remember seeing.

  “Angel…” she
mumbled, the word barely intelligible.

  A light laugh answered her. “No, my Lady. My name may be Gabriel, but I can assure you I’m no angel.”

  She tried to smile back, but it was an effort. Too much of an effort.

  “Here. Just a little more water and then you must sleep.”

  Eagerly now, she drank, more sips of the honeyed liquid. A small draught of something less sweet followed it, but she swallowed it, grateful for anything that soothed her throat.

  “There you are, my dear. A tiny touch of willow bark for that fever of yours, and a good rest—you’ll be better in two shakes of a lamb’s tail.”

  Comforted by those familiar words, Gwyneth surrendered once again to the warmth and delicious softness of her surroundings, dozing off once more.

  The next time she awoke, it was to a different voice.

  “Good afternoon, Lady Gwyneth,” said a man next to the bed. “I am going to look at your foot in a moment or so, but it’s time for more water…”

  He leaned over to raise her up and she smelled leather, sandalwood or something, damp wool and…and man.

  Opening her eyes, and again fighting for focus, she saw a fair-haired man watching her, his face calm but expressionless. “Hullo. My name is Royce. You’ve been quite ill, and we’re helping you get better.”

  “Yes,” she croaked.

  “An excellent beginning.” He walked to the end of the bed. “You had a…a wound on your foot. I am going to see how it’s healing.”

  Without waiting for any acknowledgement, he raised the linens and she felt cool air hit her legs and feet. She shivered.

  “It’s all right. You’ve had a bad fever and have been suffering from malnutrition. It will take time to build your strength back to where it should be.”

  He was bending over her limbs as he spoke, and his fingers were gentle as he unwound a bandage she didn’t know she had.

  “I’m going to touch your foot…if you can tell me whether there is pain? Just nod or grunt or something…”