“Just milk, please.”
The little interchange helped ease her nerves and the food—which was indeed as Jeremy had promised—rapidly sated her appetite.
He stood quietly by the serving stand, occasionally lifting a lid and checking the contents.
Of medium height, but solid beneath his dark coat and crisp white shirt, his tousled sandy hair looked as soft as a babe’s. She found his blue eyes were quite delightful and there was a dimple in his chin that softened the masculine lines of his face.
“What are your duties, Jeremy?” she asked, between mouthfuls.
“To tend to your every need, Lady Adalyn,” he answered, eyes gleaming.
A tiny shiver of pleasure danced over her skin at his words. “Um…at this moment, I’m not sure I have any…”
“Of course not, since you’ve barely had a chance to see more of Wolfbridge than this room and your chambers.” He removed her almost-empty plate with a nod of approval. “However, I’m sure either Giles or myself will be escorting you over the building quite shortly. Once you become familiar with it, and the grounds, ’tis certain then you will have commands for us.”
Adalyn took a deep breath. “I’m not sure I’d know how. I’ve never been the mistress of a household. I can clean the silver, but when it comes to running Wolfbridge, I might do something wrong…”
There was a bit of a clatter at the door and both Adalyn and Jeremy turned to see a man bringing one more covered tray into the room.
“Ah, Evan,” grinned Jeremy. “Come and meet our new Lady and help me convince her she will be an exemplary mistress in next to no time.”
The cook, for his large white apron clearly betrayed his position, bowed to Adalyn. “It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance, my Lady. You must be sure to let me know of any dishes you particularly favour, and also which ones you don’t…” His smile was charming.
Goodness, were all the staff at Wolfbridge as delicious? Adalyn secretly wondered if she might run the risk of having her head turned by all this attention from handsome men.
“Thank you, Evan.” She cleared her throat, which for some reason seemed to have become a little clogged. “I’m sure everything you prepare is perfect. But since it is only me, I would urge that you forgo any twelve course dinners…”
She laughed, as did Evan. “Indeed, Ma’am. I’m glad you have chosen not to follow the example of some of the more ridiculous meals served in Society.”
“Good morning,” came a voice from the door.
Adalyn turned in her chair. “Giles, good morning. Please join us? I have learned that I have an excellent footman in Jeremy and Evan has promised not to over feed me. Have I not made great progress for only an hour?”
“Indeed, my Lady. It is nothing short of spectacular.” He bowed, a wicked little grin twisting his lips.
“You’re jesting,” she laughed. “And I find it most pleasant. Nobody ever cared to do so before now.”
Jeremy stared at her. “Nobody, my Lady?”
She shook her head. “Sadly no. But I can see that this is the place to make up for that deficiency.” She remembered her manners. “Giles, if my current dress is your doing, you have my undying gratitude.” She rose and spun around in a circle, holding out her skirts for his approval. “Is it not perfect?”
All three men applauded, making her blush.
“An excellent ensemble, Lady Adalyn,” Giles lauded her elegant pose. “Now that I know the fit, I shall place an order for more garments.” He bowed. “With your permission, of course?”
Adalyn sank back in her chair. “Um…I…I think I should be worrying about the costs? Shouldn’t I?”
Giles shook his head. “That business is under the care of our estate manager. Or—forgive me—yourestate manager. Although such a person usually concerns himself with the tenants and the land, here at Wolfbridge we have a manager who manages everything. You will want to meet with him, of course.”
“Indeed. I must do so as soon as may be. I have so many questions.” Adalyn sighed. “If this morning is any indication of how my life will be from now on, I need reassuring that it is not a dream. I don’t want to wake up and find that I’m back on my knees scrubbing the kitchen floor.” She smiled.
No one else did.
“My Lady,” breathed Jeremy, his face taut. “You scrubbedfloors?”
“Why yes,” she answered. “How else was my mother to get a clean kitchen?”
“You had no servants?No kitchen staff?” Evan’s eyes were wide.
