“I don’t know if I…” He shifted awkwardly on his chair.
“That’s understandable.” Giles eased the moment. “And you must understand nobody is ever asked to do anything they find unpleasant, or uncomfortable, or even dangerous to themselves or others. We are about giving loving support, encouragement, and yes offering pleasure when it is appropriate.” He kept his gaze level on Gabriel’s face.
“I’ve never…” Gabriel’s throat moved as he swallowed down what must have been a huge lump of embarrassment. “I don’t know how…”
Giles waved his words aside. “All that matters is would you be willing to try?”
Long moments passed as Gabriel bit his bottom lip, considering the question. Finally, he looked back up at Giles. “Yes. Yes, I would. I’ve done many things I’ve not wanted to, sir. Been forced into untenable situations I thought would kill me. But somehow, for some reason, I am still here. And you found me. Perhaps this…” he gazed around him, “or perhaps even the lady upstairs…perhaps those are the reasons I have survived thus far. But my answer to you is yes, I would be willing to try being a gentleman of Wolfbridge. And I could most certainly pledge my loyalty, my obedience…and even my life, for whatever it’s worth, to her—and to you.”
Giles hid a sigh of relief. “Excellent, lad. In that case, you are more than welcome here. Evan, Jeremy and Royce have already agreed to my offering you this chance, so now all we have to do is tell them the good news.”
Gabriel’s spine visibly loosened a little and the tension left his shoulders on an exhale. “I am so happy about this,” he said, a quiet smile crossing his features. “It feels as if I’ve come home.”
“And now, since youarehome, we have to find you work.” Giles smiled back. “What can you do?”
“Uh…” Gabriel blinked at the question. “Well, what do you need?”
“Right this moment?” Giles leaned back in his chair. “I need someone with the ability to be gentle and sympathetic to our Lady.”
Gabriel frowned slightly. “I’m not sure I see why?”
“Put yourself in her place. She will regain her health over the next weeks, but she knows nobody here. Not the house, the countryside or any of us. She has nothing of her own, no clothes, no friends, not even much hair since I had to cut that off.” He shuddered a little at the memory.
“A difficult situation for her, I agree,” said Giles.
“And you are in pretty much the same one, Gabriel.”
“Ahh.” He nodded. “I see. Yes. Peas in a pod, so to speak. She might be less afraid to speak to me since I too am unfamiliar with all these things and will be learning them at her side.”
Pleased that he understood so quickly, Giles smiled and rose. “You have it in one. And, of course, should her Ladyship unwittingly reveal matters that we should know about—is she in any danger from anyone in her previous life, that sort of thing—you will be able to let us know so we can take whatever actions we feel necessary.”
“So, spy on her?” Gabriel’s eyebrow rose.
“Not in so many words, no. Confidences must not be betrayed. But her welfare is everything, Gabriel. So you will be the judge of what you think we should know, and what may remain between the two of you.”
“All right. That sounds fair.” Gabriel stood as well. “Um…she will need clothing as she heals…”
“And you’ll need some, too. That will come from our household accounts. Royce is settling in as estate manager, so he’ll have more information on that in a few days.”
Gabriel nodded. “I will speak with Royce.”
“One thing,” said Giles casually. “When we found you, you had a small purse strapped to your ankle. It’s in your bedside table now. It contained a locket, which bears an interesting inscription in Latin.” He watched Gabriel’s face. “May I ask where you got it?”
Gabriel nodded. “Oh good, that’s where it is. I am so glad you found it, and that I still had it on me. My aunt gave it to me when I first went to live with her. I believe it was from one of her ancestors, but I’m not positive. The miniature isn’t anyone I know.”
“Ah,” answered Giles. “That makes sense. Just so you know, that’s all you had on you. It was clever of you to conceal it so well.”
“I don’t think it’s very valuable to anyone but me,” he commented. “But again, thank you for the information.”
Giles sat back, understanding that the young man did not understand the connection to Wolfbridge. He made a mental note to do a little research into the Parr lineage when he had time.
“Any other questions?”
“Probably thousands, but I can’t think of a single one at the moment.” Gabriel’s green eyes were clear and focussed, the shadows that had been there earlier were no more, as a smile lit his face. “I will go and visit my…my Lady patient.”
“The room you use…it is acceptable?”
“Very much so.”
