Adalyn stared at the note as if it was a dangerous creature that might bite if she touched it.
Stepping back, she lit some candles against the darkening sky outside, and collected herself enough to return and sit at the desk.
“I have to read this,” she told herself aloud, hoping to gain courage by talking to herself. “I must read this and I will.”
As she reached for the paper and unfolded it, she spared a moment to wonder if the original author had been sitting in this very room to write it. Perhaps she had a smaller fireplace, or perhaps a different chair to accommodate her large Georgian gown. Adalyn would never know, but just thinking about it brought the woman herself closer and took away some of the nerves.
It was not a long letter, and for something that age, was well preserved.
An elegant flourish flowed from the signature, showing a definite skill with the gentle art of calligraphy.
Aphrodite. A charming name for a woman who defied tradition, society and all the traditional mores applied to her gender. And perhaps a tribute to a Goddess of Love, wondered Adalyn, who had read about some of the escapades of the ancient Greeks.
She settled herself and began to read, taking her time in deciphering the old-fashioned words and phrases.
“To thee, dear lady, who now hath attained the title of Lady of Wolfbridge, I send greetings.
Thou doubtless now find thyself much at ease within these walls, tended by the gentlemen selected for their roles with great acuity and deliberation. Thou willst have learned to love Wolfbridge as did I, and also to love these gentlemen who care for naught but thy happiness. Such is their desire to serve, thou shouldst allow liberties and chances for them to show many affections for thy person. For thus are they rewarded for their constancy.
Choose not one too soon, dear friend, but explore each as a new treasure, and with the eagerness of a pirate seeking gold. Let thy heart be thy guide. Love knoweth no bounds, or restrictions to a single mate if more than one catches thine eye. I shall speak no more of this since thy heart must perchance already be of warm disposition toward thy gentlemen. I ask only thou accept such attentions and derive thy pleasure vastly. Wolfbridge shall demand no less than complete and utter devotion to the happiness of all who reside within. None shall be female, for they are a detraction from the true fulfilment of life. Keep to this vow and thou shalt know great joy. Fail and thou shalt know pain, such as I have experienced. Learn from my errors, Lady. Do not stray from this dictate.
In time, thou wilt doubtless find one gentleman above all others to thy liking. When this doth occur, thou art free to wed, and may do so with the good wishes of Wolfbridge and those who remain within. Marriage, no matter to whom, will mean thy resignation of the title and thy departure from Wolfbridge Manor. It will always welcome thy presence as a guest, but must be now endowed to the next mistress when she is discovered.
Inasmuch as the property boundaries are declared—the Manor must remain intact. Sell not, nor barter, nor trade acreage, for this property is deeded in its entirety to the future and those Ladies of Wolfbridge yet to come. Any attempt or avowal to part with any land shall render thy presence untenable. No matter the occurrence, the land is all and must never be diminished by even one rod. Do what is needed to ensure it ever remains thus. Add to its yardage, maintain its heart. But never betray it by letting part of it pass to other hands.
Do good works, Lady of Wolfbridge. Fill thy heart with warmth and joy, and thy mind with the will to help others as thou hast been helped. Continue the tradition of rendering aid without thought of recompense, and seek out those who will benefit from such attentions. Trust thy gentlemen, love them, give them thy heart and allow them to do likewise.
I envy thee, and wish thee all the joy that has been my share and more. May thee find thy life enriched and enlightened by thy time as Lady of Wolfbridge.
With affection,
Aphrodite Wolfbridge”
Adalyn carefully placed the document down on the desk in front of her and released a breath she didn’t even realise she’d been holding.
It had been the right decision.
Her choice to hold Wolfbridge, to put the property above Trick’s welfare—it had been the right thing to do. In fact, had she done otherwise, she’d have had to leave. She closed her eyes, trying to avoid the shudder that rattled its way down her spine at the mere thought of such a thing.
And yet most of the letter seemed to be advising her to love her gentlemen. Fully and without reservations. That much was quite clear from Aphrodite’s words.
She was not to choose one too soon, but take her time and allow familiarity with all of them to grow; if she wished to wed she could, and it was not specified whether the men were off-limits or not. She would take this to imply that wedding a Wolfbridge gentleman was permitted. Although at this point, Adalyn herself wasn’t sure of anything other than marriage was the farthest thing from her mind.
How long she sat in deep contemplation, allowing her thoughts to turn this way and that, coming to terms with what being Lady of Wolfbridge really meant—she had no idea.
But it was full dark when Giles tapped on the door and peered around it. “Dinner, my Lady? A sherry first, perhaps?”
She rose and stretched, realising she’d become stiff during her long sojourn at her desk. “Dinner, Giles. In ten minutes if you please? I need to refresh myself.” She walked toward him. “Then perhaps a brandy after dinner. I think I might need it.”
Giles nodded. “That is probably true, my Lady.”
“Giles…” She spoke quietly as he stood by the door. “Would you be so kind as to ask Daniel to attend me tonight?”
“Of course,” he bowed. “You are making wise decisions, my Lady. I am cheered by this, and my decision to give you the Wolfbridge letter was obviously well-timed.”
She glanced at him wondering if it was worth asking him why he never mentioned the stipulation about selling any of the Wolfbridge property, especially given Baxter Fairhurst’s offer. Was it a test?
If so, she’d passed, but at what cost? “I’ll be back in a few minutes.” Perhaps some things were better left unasked and unanswered.
