The three of them returned to the parlour, Jeremy frowning a little as he leaned down to put another log on the fire. “I’m not sure how we can be of use, my Lady, insofar as protecting you is concerned.” He looked at Giles. “We can’t really accompany her in to dinner, can we?”
Giles shook his head. “Unfortunately, no.” He walked to the window and stared out, while Adalyn settled into a chair by the hearth.
“What sort of thing or action do you anticipate? Perhaps if I have an idea of that, I might be able to come up with ideas…” She tucked her shawl around her shoulders.
“I would not be surprised if he tries to get you alone,” said Giles, his voice sombre. “Whether he would try any indelicacies upon your person…well, I wouldn’t put it past him, but perhaps not at the first time you venture onto his territory.”
“Hmm.” She gazed at the flames, her mind turning over the issue at hand. “I will have a driver, of course,” she spoke more to herself. “And under normal circumstances, a maid would accompany me.” She thought some more. “What if…”
Giles turned to look at her. “What if…?”
“What if there was some reason for me to require a footman with me at all times?” She raised her eyebrows. “One could not expect anything but the most civil behaviour were a servant to be with me the entire evening.”
“I agree on principle, but how…”
“I think you’re right, my Lady.” Jeremy’s smile broadened. “And it’s quite simple. All you have to do is fall down.”
Chapter Eight
“Trick? Trick, are you here?”
Adalyn called up toward the hayloft in the stables, trying to locate her groom. There was silence, but for the occasional whiffle from one of the horses. She had discovered she liked the scents that went along with this building, even though some were pungent now and again.
She smiled and took pleasure in patting a curious nose or two when the residents decided to survey their new mistress. The fragrance of leather and hay were rich in her nostrils this morning as she continued her pursuit of Trick.
“Here, Lady Adalyn.” Strong arms gave her a quick hug.
“Oh, my Lord, Trick. You made me jump.”
He grinned at her, unrepentant, dark eyes twinkling with mischief. “It’s good to keep you on your toes, my Lady.”
She sighed. “Well if you’re going to make a habit of it, please call me Adalyn? It sounds silly to keep the Lady Adalyn on her toes.”
He stayed close to her, the scent of man and leather and something else that was essentially Trick teasing her nostrils. “As you wish, Adalyn.”
Her name became a caress as he spoke it softly, a hint of soft skin, dark nights and desire.
She felt herself sway toward him, a natural result of his mysterious, piratical appeal. Any woman would be susceptible to that look, and she was no exception.
“What can I do for you, Adalyn?”
She found herself fixated on his lips, full and teasing as they smiled at her. She struggled to focus on his question, whatever it had been.
“Oh, yes. I apologise. You distracted me.”
“Good,” he grinned without a lick of shame.
She swallowed and widened the distance between them. “I have been asked to dinner by Sir Amery Fairhurst,” she began.
“That bounder,” Trick swung away to hang up the tack he’d carried into the room. “Don’t trust him an inch, Adalyn.”
“I don’t,” she answered. “Neither do Giles and Jeremy. They were present when he invited me. As was his niece Judith.”
That brought a response. “Niece? First I’ve heard of such a relative.” He looked suspicious.
“She’s a charming young girl, and a bundle of nerves, I think,” commented Adalyn. “And it would certainly make it easier for me to have her at the dinner table.”
“True,” he nodded, leaning against the battered old desk and crossing his arms. “So how can I help?” He held up a hand. “Wait. We should have tea. Will you join me in my quarters, Adalyn?”
Curiosity flooded her. “I should love to see them, Trick. You have a room in the main house, don’t you?”
He took her arm. “I do, yes. And ’tis warm when nights get icy, as they have this winter. But there’s still my private little piece of Wolfbridge and I’d be honoured to share it with you…”
“Then please, show me?”
He walked her from the tack room back outside and around to the rear of the barn where a set of wooden stairs led up to a door high on the wall.
Making sure she didn’t trip, Trick helped her up and opened the door. “Welcome to my chambers, Adalyn.”
Intrigued, she walked inside.
And blinked.
It was a large room, with light coming in from several windows at one end. There was an old fashioned fireplace complete with a pot hanger, and comfortable furniture, along with a huge bed, covered now with a thickly stuffed quilt.
There were thick curtains and Adalyn guessed it would be snug on cold days, even though on winter nights Trick might decide to sleep in the Manor.
“How nice this is,” she said, turning to him with a smile. “I had no idea it was here.”
“That’s the joy of it,” he answered. “A secret place of my own. What man could ask for more?”
She walked to the hearth. “And you can heat water…”
“Indeed I can,” he joined her and stoked up a cheerful blaze. Swinging the large kettle over it, he stood back. “Tea shortly. A good fire warms the water like the tea warms the soul.”
“Lovely,” she chuckled. “May I?”
“Sit, Adalyn. Please.” He nodded as she gestured to one of the two chairs. “Now tell me about this plan of yours, because you’ve the looks of a woman who has had an idea and needs a bit of a hand with it.”
He busied himself with teacups and saucers and opened a small cupboard to remove a jug of milk as she
