Miffed, Gwyneth merely nodded.
“I have set enquiries in motion, my Lady, having to do with the disposition of your late husband’s estate. I’m prepared to assume that the present Earl is experiencing some kind of madness, given his outrageous behaviour. But on the off chance that there is some sort of secondary will that transcends the first, you should be informed. If action is necessary, we can see to it once we know.”
She nodded. “Yes, that sounds logical, Giles. I would be very surprised if Ernest’s allegations were correct, but it does pay to make sure we have the facts.”
“What are we going to do with him, Giles?” Evan looked serious. “I doubt any of us, especially my Lady here, wishes to appear in any kind of court, should we bring him up on charges.”
“But he would have killed Lady Gwyneth,” said Jeremy. “That’s attempted murder.”
“I know,” said Evan gloomily. He looked at Royce. “What about you and I take him down to the river and see if he can swim underwater?”
“With us sitting on him?”
“That would work, yes.”
“Gentlemen.” Giles raised a hand. “I say again. We cannot afford to act in an ill-advised fashion, much as I endorse your sentiments. Consider for a moment the problems that would arise were my Lady’s stepson’s body discovered this close to her current residence?”
Jeremy pouted. “Good point, but I’m still in favour of my idea.”
“Be that as it may…”
Everyone looked up as the sound of a carriage pulling up in front of Wolfbridge interrupted Giles.
“Hmm,” he said, glancing at the clock. “Ten minutes early.” He walked to the door. “Excuse me for a moment? I will return shortly.”
“Well.” Gwyneth blinked. “I wonder what that’s all about?”
Royce moved to the window and pushed the curtain aside. “It’s a travelling carriage. Looks as if there’s been a few miles logged on it today…” He leaned as far as he could. “Only one passenger I think…I can’t see from here.”
Silence fell, the clock ticked, and Evan sighed. “More tea, anyone?”
Five minutes later, the door opened and Giles returned. But this time, he was not alone.
Accompanying him was a woman, a stunningly breathtaking woman that had each man rising as she walked in, and Gwyneth struggling to sit up.
“Please. Stay as you were,” said Giles, leading his guest to a chair, and seating her. “I would like to introduce you to a very dear and special lady.”
He turned to her and Gwyneth saw the expression on his face as he looked at her. It shook her to her very core.
Giles was in love with her.
It was written so clearly he might as well have yelled it to the rafters.
And she looked back at him with the same doting expression.
“Giles…?” said Gwyneth, a question in her voice.
“Forgive me,” said Giles, his smile much warmer than usual. “My Lady, I have the honour of presenting Madame Ionie Summerfield. Ionie, this is Gwyneth, the Lady of Wolfbridge.”
Madame Summerfield stood and dropped a graceful curtsey to Gwyneth. “I am delighted to meet you, my Lady. I hope you’ll forgive my unannounced arrival, but Giles gave me some quite strict instructions to that effect…”
Her voice was soft and lilting, with a slight accent Gwyneth couldn’t place. But her smile was genuine and Gwyneth found herself smiling back. “I am so pleased to make your acquaintance, Madame. Please excuse me for not standing, but there was a trivial incident this morning, and I’m temporarily incapacitated.”
Ionie’s brows met in a frown and she glanced at Giles, who merely shrugged.
“You are well, my Lady?”
“I was stabbed, Madame. Nothing serious.”
