“Yes we did, but Mama insisted such tasks would build my character.” She looked down at her hands. “I think the only thing they built were blisters, but I’m sure I was in error.”
Jeremy came to her side and knelt, taking one of her hands in his. “My Lady, you will nevereverhave to do such things again.” He lifted her fingers to his lips and dropped a soft kiss on the back of her hand.
She caught her breath. Nobody had done that before, and her heart skipped a beat at the expression in his eyes.
“Thank you, Jeremy,” she whispered, held in thrall by his gaze. “That is most reassuring.”
Evan came to stand beside the footman. “This is your home, now, Lady Adalyn. We are your men. To serve you as best we can and to make your life as pleasant as possible. Anything you want or need, you have only to ask.” His voice firmed. “You will never pick up a scrubbing brush again, let alone scrub a floor with it.”
Adalyn found herself with a lump in her throat once more. She’d not known anyone who had ever cared enough to say such things. It was almost overwhelming.
“No polishing the silver?”
“Absolutely not.” Evan looked scandalised.
“Finish your tea, Lady Adalyn,” said Giles quietly. “I will ask Daniel to attend you in the Rose room. Since he is the estate manager ’tis best you begin your life here with your questions answered.”
Pulling herself together, she nodded. “Thank you, Giles. That is an excellent suggestion.” The last of her tea disappeared, and she stood. “I am ready.”
The gentlemen seemed to nod simultaneously, their warmth almost tangible. It caught Adalyn by surprise to see them united in their desire to provide for her needs.
And goodness, had anyone else been watching, they would have certainly mentioned the fact that all three men were most pleasing to the eye.
She wondered if the estate manager was as handsome, but held that question to herself.
As Giles escorted her through the hall and toward the rear of Wolfbridge Manor, she glanced out of one of the tall windows and caught sight of a horse and rider trotting along the gravel paths near the house.
“Oh, look…” she paused, watching them.
“That is Trick, my Lady.”
“Trick?” She watched them. “The man or the horse?”
Giles chuckled. “The man. Trevallyn Jones. But we all know him as Trick. He is your groom.”
She flashed Giles a quick glance. “I have a stable then?”
“Yes indeed. Not large, nor with many horses, but those we have are of excellent lineage.”
Her gaze returned to the caracoling chestnut and the jacket-less rider as they engaged in what looked like a battle for supremacy. After a few moments, the horse settled with a toss of its shining mane, and the man on its back patted its neck affectionately. The tussle had ended in a draw.
“I can’t ride, Giles,” she breathed. “I’ve never been on a horse.”
“Then Trick’s your man, my Lady. He is a fine horseman and a patient teacher. Put yourself in his hands and you will be riding in no time.”
“Notthatmount.”.
Giles chuckled. “Most probably not, no. Something more suited to a lady. Trust Trick. He is the best at what he does.”
She smiled. “I am coming to expect nothing less.”
Chapter Three
She entered the Rose room, a charming space for relaxing while also serving as a study, with shades of pinks and reds throughout, Adalyn spared a moment to wonder about the house itself as she seated herself and waited for the estate manager.
If she had been asked to dream up her ideal home, something very close to Wolfbridge Manor would have appeared behind her eyelids.
How was it so perfect for her? How did it possess so many wonderfully kind men who seemed to have her satisfaction and comfort uppermost in their minds? She had yet to hear a cross word, or an oath spoken in anger. Everyone interacted with everyone else on a level of civility she’d not believed possible.
