She settled herself against him. “You underestimate the power of your touch, Jeremy.”
The only answer was a muffled snore.
Expecting to fall asleep quickly, she was not best pleased to find herself staring at the shadows cast by the fire on the walls. Her mind drifted, but instead of the problems and worries, she thought about her gentlemen, one of whom snored contentedly beside her.
Jeremy had pleasured her, given her the most wonderful physical satisfaction. And she had, shamelessly, enjoyed every minute of it.
Did this mean that each of the gentlemen would be as adept? Would Evan thrill her, take her to the heights with his talented caresses? And would Trick, with his humour and his passion…how would it be with him?
For the first time, Adalyn experienced a little whisper of doubt as to the wisdom of allowing all of them into her bed. She loved them all, without reservation. She loved their kisses and their touches, and experiencing the deepest of intimacies with Daniel and Jeremy…well, both occasions had been above magnificent.
But what of the future?
Being Lady of Wolfbridge came with responsibilities, many of which she was now finding in her lap. And she enjoyed the knowledge that she was doing good, being active and making decisions that felt right.
She’d never had that kind of power before, and accepted that she had grown into the ability to understand it and use it during her sojourn at the Manor.
But the men.
They were her life, her loves, her friends—herfamily.
A shock ran through her as she let that thought bloom within her mind. She loved them with a deep and abiding warmth, all of them. Adding the sensual caresses to the mix, they created a situation that fulfilled every single need Adalyn had ever had.
She had become a woman in so many unexpected ways. She was allowed to think for herself; she could accept that some decisions were hard to make, but that didn’t stop her from making them.
Nobody told her no, nor did they ignore her as if she was a mere cypher.
She was not only loved, theyrespected herin a way she’d never anticipated. And that was an astounding revelation.
It did not help her untangle the knot presented by the gentlemen, but it did give her pause.
And as sleep finally claimed her, she drifted on a question…could she choose just one of her gentlemen to be hers forever?
No answers came to her during the night, but even if they did, she probably would have forgotten them since it was barely dawn when the door to her room crashed open and Giles rushed in.
“Get up, Adalyn. The river has flooded…”
She gasped, blinked—and realised she was alone. She never heard Jeremy leave, but at this moment she was glad he had. “I’ll be with you in ten minutes, Giles.” She pulled the quilt up over her nakedness. “We must go to the bridge?”
“No, there’s another chance…come to the parlour when you’re ready and I’ll tell you.”
She nodded and he left the room.
Knowing this might be a physically challenging day, she chose a thick riding skirt, along with a heavy shirt and jacket. Stout boots completed her outfit and she arrived in the parlour barely five minutes over the time she’d promised Giles.
“Tell me,” she said, walking in to find them all there.
“Tea. Eat.” Evan put a plate, a cup and saucer and food in front of her.
“Yes, eat something Adalyn. I can tell you while you break your fast.”
As if they’d awaited her, they all sat, and Jeremy took one more piece of toast, while Daniel and Evan refilled their cups.
“I remembered something last night,” said Daniel. “When I first arrived here at Wolfbridge, I was meeting the tenants and the farmers. Much like yourself. But at that time there was a small holding quite a way up river. It was on the border of the Manor estate, and only one man lived there.”
“I remember him,” nodded Evan. “Nice fellow.”
“Sadly he passed away,” continued Daniel. “And the land was so far away from here that nobody cared to take it on. It was merely a shack and a small pasture.”
