“Good. That is quite a few miles away. Which precludes the possibility of her dropping in unannounced.”
Adalyn listened as the matter was discussed, with all of them logically laying out the facts, posing practical suggestions and in general being the men she was coming to love.
However, they were missing an important factor.
“If I may…” She cleared her throat. “There is one thing you’re all overlooking. Miss Brockford is a woman. She has her heart set on Jeremy, and not just for one night of physical pleasure. If you acceded to her request, Jeremy, you might either find yourself interrupted by her family and forced to marry her, or she could reappear in a couple of months announcing that she is with child. And once again, you would be forced to marry her.” She stared at him. “I believe her sudden appearance here is far more than a surprise encounter. I cannot be certain, but all the signs are there.”
She rose and went to Jeremy, putting her hands on his shoulders as she stood behind his chair. “I am afraid that she may be obsessed with you, as her rescuer. In her eyes you are the only man for her. And the fact that it’s been so long since you last met, and yet she has proposed this outrageous suggestion…well, that adds to my concern.”
For several minutes, the men were quiet, absorbing her words.
Then Giles rose. “I agree with Adalyn. We must treat this matter with all the seriousness it deserves.” He looked at Jeremy. “It’s temporary house duties for you, my lad. You do not go out alone.” He held up his hand before Jeremy could protest. “I don’t believe you to be in any danger, but for the time being, let us be sensible?”
“I second that,” said Adalyn, moving to Jeremy’s side. “You are too valuable to me. Let us act with caution and common sense. The idea of any of my gentlemen being lost to me for whatever reason…well, it’s untenable.” She ended with a commanding nod.
Jeremy sighed. “Perhaps she will leave the area and we can move past all this.”
“We can but hope.” Daniel rose. “But in the meantime, I will have a quick word with a friend of mine in Little Maddington. He’s an elderly gentleman I met through our mutual interest in history, but he has an ear for gossip. Should anything unusual occur, he’s the chap to know about it.”
“An excellent notion, Daniel,” approved Giles. “In the interim, I suggest you and Adalyn sit down and discuss the whys and wherefores of purchasing Fivetrees. Just in case.”
“With today’s events, I’d forgotten about that,” smiled Adalyn. “But I still think it’s a good idea.”
Daniel looked nervous. “Er…well, I’m not too sure about that, but we certainly can review it…”
“Don’t worry,” she chuckled. “I’m not going to suggest we put in an offer at the end of the week.”
“We don’t even know if there’s an heir yet,” added Daniel.
“I should write Judith a note, too.” She glanced at Giles. “Would it be acceptable to invite her to tea if she’s feeling up to it?”
“By all means,” he replied. “It might do her good if, as you say, she feels up to it.”
Adalyn nodded. She wasn’t sure of the etiquette surrounding such a dramatic event, but her heart went out to Judith, who would now be alone at Fivetrees, with only the servants for company. At least until an heir, if there was one, appeared on the front doorstep. And even then, there was no guarantee Judith would be permitted to remain in residence.
With that rather perturbing thought in her mind, Adalyn went to pen her invitation.
Chapter Fifteen
Time passed in a strange and uneasy quiet, everyone going about their business, but with half an ear cocked for the slightest sound. Adalyn found herself doing exactly that; waiting for something, but not quite sure what.
Her invitation to Judith had occasioned a brief note from that lady thanking her for her consideration and patience. But she was not yet up to the task of receiving or visiting friends.
Adalyn accepted her excuse, knowing she had done the right thing in asking. Because the weather decided to acknowledge spring was on the way and generously offered the land some warm sunny days along with a shower or two, the household resolved to begin work on the new kitchen garden. Adalyn eagerly joined the men as they started to mark out and clear the area.
It was a busy time for the local folk, what with turning over old crops, preparing the fields, and planting afresh, with the hope that this year’s harvest might survive. But one or two lads offered a hand to the Wolfbridge workers, and so within a week or so the foundations emerged and Adalyn knew it would be exactly how she wanted it.
A large square was taking shape, already marked with rows of bricks about a foot or so high. One wall was in place…the rear kitchen wall, and that formed the basis for the square. But it was much larger than the originally allotted space, and Evan would soon be able to walk from the door into a spacious area filled with herbs and vegetables.
Although many such gardens featured glass roofs, Daniel had pointed out the expense of such a feature. Not just for the initial building, but also for any replacements, should a loose tile decide to smash through in a winter storm. Adalyn had seen the logic behind the argument and agreed. Thus the garden would be walled in, protected from the worst of the winds, and yet free to lap up the sunshine and the rain.
It was a good endeavour, she thought to herself as she weeded a small area that would soon hold a trellis and the vines of peas and beans. It had also brought the household out of doors—another good result.
Jeremy was relaxing, laughing more, returning to his cheerful self. Perhaps revealing his darkest secret had lifted a weight from his shoulders…Adalyn couldn’t know what went on in his mind.
But they’d heard nothing of Miss Brockford, so all hoped that her silence signalled the conclusion of the matter. Adalyn wasn’t convinced of that, but prayed it was so. Her other scheme, the notion of buying Fivetrees, was still being discussed, but only in abstract terms. There had been no word at all from Judith or anyone in the village about the current status of the property. All the Wolfbridge residents could do was wait.
Adalyn wasn’t good at waiting, being committed to the protection and support of Wolfbridge Manor. Fresh peas would be lovely, but adding acreage would be even better.
