Adalyn took a deep breath. “I’m not sure I’d know how. I’ve never been the mistress of a household. I can clean the silver, but when it comes to running Wolfbridge, I might do something wrong…”
There was a bit of a clatter at the door and both Adalyn and Jeremy turned to see a man bringing one more covered tray into the room.
“Ah, Evan,” grinned Jeremy. “Come and meet our new Lady and help me convince her she will be an exemplary mistress in next to no time.”
The cook, for his large white apron clearly betrayed his position, bowed to Adalyn. “It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance, my Lady. You must be sure to let me know of any dishes you particularly favour, and also which ones you don’t…” His smile was charming.
Goodness, were all the staff at Wolfbridge as delicious? Adalyn secretly wondered if she might run the risk of having her head turned by all this attention from handsome men.
“Thank you, Evan.” She cleared her throat, which for some reason seemed to have become a little clogged. “I’m sure everything you prepare is perfect. But since it is only me, I would urge that you forgo any twelve course dinners…”
She laughed, as did Evan. “Indeed, Ma’am. I’m glad you have chosen not to follow the example of some of the more ridiculous meals served in Society.”
“Good morning,” came a voice from the door.
Adalyn turned in her chair. “Giles, good morning. Please join us? I have learned that I have an excellent footman in Jeremy and Evan has promised not to over feed me. Have I not made great progress for only an hour?”
“Indeed, my Lady. It is nothing short of spectacular.” He bowed, a wicked little grin twisting his lips.
“You’re jesting,” she laughed. “And I find it most pleasant. Nobody ever cared to do so before now.”
Jeremy stared at her. “Nobody, my Lady?”
She shook her head. “Sadly no. But I can see that this is the place to make up for that deficiency.” She remembered her manners. “Giles, if my current dress is your doing, you have my undying gratitude.” She rose and spun around in a circle, holding out her skirts for his approval. “Is it not perfect?”
All three men applauded, making her blush.
“An excellent ensemble, Lady Adalyn,” Giles lauded her elegant pose. “Now that I know the fit, I shall place an order for more garments.” He bowed. “With your permission, of course?”
Adalyn sank back in her chair. “Um…I…I think I should be worrying about the costs? Shouldn’t I?”
Giles shook his head. “That business is under the care of our estate manager. Or—forgive me—your estate manager. Although such a person usually concerns himself with the tenants and the land, here at Wolfbridge we have a manager who manages everything. You will want to meet with him, of course.”
“Indeed. I must do so as soon as may be. I have so many questions.” Adalyn sighed. “If this morning is any indication of how my life will be from now on, I need reassuring that it is not a dream. I don’t want to wake up and find that I’m back on my knees scrubbing the kitchen floor.” She smiled.
No one else did.
“My Lady,” breathed Jeremy, his face taut. “You scrubbed floors?”
“Why yes,” she answered. “How else was my mother to get a clean kitchen?”
“You had no servants? No kitchen staff?” Evan’s eyes were wide.
“Yes we did, but Mama insisted such tasks would build my character.” She looked down at her hands. “I think the only thing they built were blisters, but I’m sure I was in error.”
Jeremy came to her side and knelt, taking one of her hands in his. “My Lady, you will never ever have to do such things again.” He lifted her fingers to his lips and dropped a soft kiss on the back of her hand.
She caught her breath. Nobody had done that before, and her heart skipped a beat at the expression in his eyes.
“Thank you, Jeremy,” she whispered, held in thrall by his gaze. “That is most reassuring.”
Evan came to stand beside the footman. “This is your home, now, Lady Adalyn. We are your men. To serve you as best we can and to make your life as pleasant as possible. Anything you want or need, you have only to ask.” His voice firmed. “You will never pick up a scrubbing brush again, let alone scrub a floor with it.”
Adalyn found herself with a lump in her throat once more. She’d not known anyone who had ever cared enough to say such things. It was almost overwhelming.
“No polishing the silver?”
“Absolutely not.” Evan looked scandalised.
“Finish your tea, Lady Adalyn,” said Giles quietly. “I will ask Daniel to attend you in the Rose room. Since he is the estate manager ’tis best you begin your life here with your questions answered.”
Pulling herself together, she nodded. “Thank you, Giles. That is an excellent suggestion.” The last of her tea disappeared, and she stood. “I am ready.”
The gentlemen seemed to nod simultaneously, their warmth almost tangible. It caught Adalyn by surprise to see them united in their desire to provide for her needs.
And goodness, had anyone else been watching, they would have certainly mentioned the fact that all three men were most pleasing to the eye.
She wondered if the estate manager was as handsome, but held that question to herself.
As Giles escorted her through the hall and toward the rear of Wolfbridge Manor, she glanced out of one of the tall windows and caught sight of a horse and rider trotting along the gravel paths near the house.
“Oh, look…” she paused, watching them.
“That is Trick, my Lady.”
“Trick?” She watched them. “The man or the horse?”
Giles chuckled. “The man. Trevallyn
