“Either that or a word or two in the right ear from a member of Royalty.” He shrugged. “I can only guess—there are certainly no indications of any such thing. But it is written into the entail of the estate, and since then, Wolfbridge has been handed down to women who have a connection, no matter how slight, to the original Wolfbridge line. With that iron-clad stipulation legally placed on record, matters were settled. Although unique, the lawyers obeyed Lady Wolfbridge and established the succession of the estate so as to preclude any attempts to have it removed or reworded. Some tried to break it from time to time, but they failed. Eventually they gave up.”
Adalyn blinked. “I don’t…I never…do I have such a connection, Giles?”
“You do,” he answered. “Through your maternal grandfather.”
“Good heavens.” She struggled with the idea. “I had no idea. What an unlikely but fortunate connection it is, then.”
“I would agree, since you fulfill the requirements set forth for the tenancy. All the previous occupants have found themselves alone and without too many options.”
“Like me.”
“Yes, my Lady. Just like you.”
“So who is living there now?” Adalyn stared at Giles.
“Lady Panthea Marchwood was our most recent mistress. Her aunt’s husband was the connection to Wolfbridge. She left us nearly two years ago.”
“So it’s been empty since?”
“Other than the staff, yes. As you can imagine, it takes time to keep track of potential heirs. And often, there are none, as happened recently. We have been waiting, watching—and finally we found our next mistress.” He put his hand over hers. “And that would be you, my dear.”
She thought about that for a few minutes, silently trying to sort out the whirling myriad of questions within her mind. She settled on the simplest.
“How long have you been butler at Wolfbridge, Giles?”
“Close to twenty years now, my Lady. It is a unique position, since butlers accept the responsibility of running the house. We understand that the Manor will change hands when the time is right, but that our tenure is connected to the house, not the owner.”
“I’ve never heard of such an arrangement.”
“Well, I am not surprised,” he shrugged. “It is a somewhat eccentric agreement. And truth to tell, we have done our best to remain out of the eye of those who might find it peculiar. We’re in a quiet part of a quiet county. I am not sure how long that will be the case, but for now we like things as they are.”
“Hmm.” She thought about that.
“It is an incontrovertible fact that you are now the new mistress in residence. You are not obliged to accept, of course, and there is no sizeable fortune attached, unfortunately. But a productive entail continues to generate sufficient income for the essentials and the farms do the rest.” He smiled at her. “The estate is yours, Lady Adalyn. Berries and all.”
She swallowed, attempting to make sense of this unexpected miracle. “I have so many questions, Giles,” she murmured.
“I’m sure you do, Ma’am,” he agreed. “But for now the only thing you need focus on is the fact that you have a home. You have a butler,” he tapped his chest, “a much-lauded cook, a groom who is quite brilliant with horses, an estate manager who has kept your farms in good heart, and a first footman who excels at many things. All of us are dedicated to your welfare.”
She opened her mouth, then shut it again. What could she say?
She rubbed her hands over her face and took a breath. “Will I have clothing? I brought nothing from London, other than what I’m wearing…”
“There is a wardrobe available, my Lady. It may be out of date but I’m sure something can be arranged for you.”
“And a maid?”
Giles shot her a look she couldn’t interpret. “If you wish it, we can acquire one.”
She leaned back and closed her eyes. “Perhaps I should wait until we get there to make that decision.”
“Most wise.”
She sighed. “Will I find peace there, Giles? I would love to not have to worry about anything…”
“We shall endeavour to ensure that happens. I promise…” He looked at her, kindness in his eyes. “Wolfbridge has been charged with a purpose, Adalyn. It exists to provide you with what you need.”
“I don’t know what I need…a home, I suppose…”
“That you will definitely have. Anything else?”
She shook her head. “I don’t know.”
“Then you will find out when you settle in. Because Wolfbridge knows what you need, and as it fulfills that need, it also discharges its duty to you.”
“You speak as if Wolfbridge is more than an estate,” she murmured.
“I like to think of it more as a state of mind.”
“An interesting way of explaining it,” her voice tapered off, and she drifted, the warmth of the carriage and the excellent food she’d eaten both contributing to a delightful lassitude.
She yawned. “Forgive me, Giles, but I believe my lunch has made me sleepy again…” She felt his hands tuck the fur around her knees, and that tiny gesture of comfort tipped her over the edge of wakefulness and into the first solidly restful sleep she’d had in quite some time.
Wolfbridge Manor, January 1817
Dear Diary,
This is my first entry as a widow, and I am writing it by candlelight in my very own room in my very own house! Yes, inconceivable though it seems, I have been swept out of the terrible situation I found myself in and welcomed here at Wolfbridge Manor, which I understand is now my property.
I saw little when I arrived, since it was dark and I had barely awoken from a long nap in the carriage. My mind was still quite confused. But Giles was ever-solicitous and made every effort to ensure my comfort.
I must speak of Giles for a moment. He refers to himself as my butler, but in truth he feels more like my guardian angel. His countenance is most pleasant, his smile everything that is charming and friendly, and he has done everything possible
