Yes, she had not lied. She did love Daniel. She loved him not only for his tenderness and skill at lovemaking; she loved him for his warmth and his genuine caring of her.
Her thoughts turned to Jeremy. She loved him too. And Evan. And Trick…
How could she love them all? Was there room in a heart for more than one love? Could she take Jeremy and Evan and Trick to her bed as well?
That question plagued her, and her answer should have plagued her even more. But it didn’t.
She could indeed find this new erotic pleasure with her other gentlemen. In fact, she found herself quietly admitting she was looking forward to it.
Could she see Jeremy holding her like this? Yes.
Could she imagine Evan above her, inside her? Yes.
And Trick? She found she could see herself ridinghim.
Such thoughts should have disgusted her, she knew. They would have appalled just about everyone she knew, and for a few moments she indulged in some serious self-recrimination. But the languorous pleasure that still rippled through her body overrode her inner dialogue.
She was the Lady of Wolfbridge. And all four of her gentlemen werehers.
Chapter Twenty-One
“Are you well, Lady Adalyn?”
Giles appeared outside Adalyn’s bedroom door as she emerged the following morning. Daniel had gone and his pillow was cool to the touch when she awoke, but her limbs were tired and her body a little sore, so she knew she’d not dreamed the events of the night before. Jane had brought a single cup of tea and made no comment about the somewhat disordered state of the bed linens.
“I am well, thank you, Giles. Very well.” She smiled at him as they walked together toward the stairs.
“That is good to hear,” he nodded in approval. “I shall never take it upon myself to direct you in any way. Please understand that…”
Puzzled, she responded. “Of course.”
“I have your best interests at heart, my Lady, as do we all.”
“I understand and appreciate that, as you must know.”
“I do.” He paused. “I will merely suggest that you remain in command of your heart. Remember that we are all here to serve you and support you in your role as Lady of Wolfbridge.”
It somewhat surprised her to see a slight flush colouring his cheeks.
“In that regard, I would urge you to recall that you have plenty of time to explore such benefits, and that being a little reserved in the frequency of your choices may not be a bad thing.” He cleared his throat awkwardly.
Adalyn tried hard not to grin. “If I understand you correctly, Giles—and given the formal and convoluted peculiarity of what you just said, that might be impossible—you recommend I guard againstover-enjoyingthe company of my gentlemen…in close and personal ways?”
He breathed a sigh of relief. “Yes.”
“Good.” She nodded back. “And I do agree with you. So, that said, may I continue to rely upon you to relay my…er…preferences to the gentleman involved at such times as I—how did you put it—wish to explore my benefits?”
“You may indeed. A wise decision, my Lady.” He beamed at her in approval.
“Even I, in my ignorance, am aware that too much of a good thing can be detrimental to all concerned,” she said, as they resumed their walk along the corridor.
“Your gentlemen are devoted to you, Ma’am, otherwise they wouldn’t be here. Your favours are to be earned, and desired, and not being given casually will make them all the more precious.”
“Good point,” she acknowledged.
They reached the top of the stairs, and Giles gave her his arm as they descended. “There is a note awaiting you in the parlour, along with breakfast. I believe it is from Fivetrees.”
“Oh, really?” She raised her eyebrows. “Perhaps it’s from Judith…I do hope so.”
