Her head whirled as Wolfbridge changed in front of her very eyes.
She had enjoyed sitting quietly with Ionie for a brief chat. The men had busied themselves, so she took shameless advantage, plied Ionie with a brandy and instigated an inquisition.
“Yes, my Lady, I do love him,” Ionie grinned. “But I’m happy you asked. It means you have come to cherish him as well.”
“He’s been our rock, Madame.” She paused. “May I call you Ionie? So much less formal. And I’d be honoured if you would call me Gwyneth. After all,” she grinned, “we do have a man in common.”
Ionie laughed. “That we do.” She looked around. “It will be hard for him, you know. Leaving here. Wolfbridge has been something very rare, very special in his life. It gave him purpose. I was worried when he left. He was so lost, angry…I didn’t know what would become of him.”
“But he wrote…” prompted Gwyneth.
“He did,” nodded Ionie. “He kept his word. For the last twenty-five years we’ve written, and sometimes I think we’re even closer because of it. One can write one’s most intimate thoughts so much more easily that speaking them aloud.”
Thinking of her journal, Gwyneth blushed. “Very true.” She tilted her head to one side. “He loves you, you know. Anyone who looks can see it in his eyes.”
“I know. I am a very fortunate woman indeed to be loved by such a one as Giles.”
Gwyneth reached out and rested her hand on top of Ionie’s. “Make him happy. He deserves it. He has given so much to Wolfbridge, and he saved my life and many others, I’m sure, since he’s been here. It’s time he was on the receiving end.”
“I cannot wait to begin doing just that,” smiled Ionie. “Sometimes you see someone and you just know.” Her hand bunched against her heart. “It was thus with Giles and me. I walked into the dining room, thinking to refill the flower vase before dinner. And there he was.” She swallowed. “One look and my life changed forever.”
“Ready to go, my love?”
Gwyneth took a breath, scarce able to believe the words coming from Giles’s mouth. Or the look on his face when Ionie rose and went to him, taking his hands eagerly. “Yes, Giles. Yes.”
Gabriel came in and moved to Gwyneth. “My Lady. Let me help you to your feet. We can wave them off from the front steps…”
She glanced at him. His eyes were overfull, glittering with some emotion that she could not name. But she had a feeling they’d all be experiencing some emotions soon. Saying goodbye to Giles was not going to be easy.
And it wasn’t.
There were gentle hugs, back slaps, manly and affectionate wishes for luck and health and happiness.
She kissed Ionie on both cheeks and watched her get into the carriage.
Then it was time.
“Giles,” she clung to him. “I don’t think I can do this without you.” Tears clogged her throat as he put his hands over hers. “Gwyneth.” She looked up at the unfamiliar use of her name. “Gwyneth, you are stronger than you know. Put your faith in yourself and your gentlemen. They will serve you well. And they will love you as you love them.”
“I know, but…but…Giles,” she wailed. “I’m going to miss you so very much.”
He removed her hands and held them tightly. “And I shall miss you too. All of you. And Wolfbridge.” His voice caught. “Gwyneth. Listen to me. You must be the best Lady of Wolfbridge you can be. Promise me this?”
“I promise,” she whispered, trying to control her tears. “I promise, Giles.”
“Then I am satisfied.” He dropped a light kiss on her cheek, and cast a last look around the hall. “Goodbye, my friends. No…my family. Never think I shall forget any of you. Ever.”
He let Gwyneth go and walked away, down the steps of Wolfbridge and into the carriage, settling himself next to the woman who would be his life from now on. His own personal Lady.
Ringed by Jeremy, Evan, Gabriel and Royce, Gwyneth stood, trying to hold herself upright, tears now streaming down her face and waving as the carriage pulled away.
She sobbed aloud, and the bodies behind her closed the gap. Four sets of arms came out to touch her, four chests nestled against her.
“We’re here, love,” whispered Gabriel. “We’re still here.”
The carriage disappeared into the distance.
“I know,” she answered. “But…it’s hard.”
“It is,” said Evan, his voice uneven. “Bloody hard.”
“Quick and clean,” said Royce. “He has style, that man.”
Jeremy sighed. “I didn’t think I’d say this after last night, but where’s the damn brandy?”
Epilogue
Three weeks later…
“I have letters,” said Royce, hurrying into the room where the others were gathered for lunch. “The Royal Mail dropped them off yesterday and the lad from the Inn came up with them this morning.”
Evan passed around a plate of sliced chicken. “From whom, Royce?”
“Well, there’s one for Gwyneth from Giles. And one for Gwyneth from Ionie.”
“Oh, how lovely.” She accepted the missives with a smile. “I asked her to write. I’m so glad she did.”
“If she promised, you can bet she’ll keep her word. She’s Giles’s wife, after all.” Jeremy grinned.
“Good point.” Royce agreed. “I also have a letter here that looks most important. Legal matters I should think.”
“Oh, Royce. Do you think it might be about the Kilham estate?”
“Possibly. It is about that time.”
Gwyneth took a breath. The news that the Earl of Kilham had managed to fashion a noose and hang himself in a Deepmere gaol cell had been received with mixed emotions. The Constables who were holding him were quite upset, of course, but after the initial shock everyone
