Adalyn walked beside Giles, and the two of them entered Wolfbridge, crossing the hall and heading toward the parlour. As they did so, Jeremy emerged from the stairs and hurried to them. “I heard a carriage,” he said.
“You did indeed,” smiled Adalyn. “And you’ll never guess who it was…”
*~~*~~*
Daniel smiled as he saw Jeremy, Evan and Trick together for the first time in far too long. He hurried over, slapped them all on the back, and then surrendered to the urge to hug them all for good measure.
“Ho, now,” Jeremy held up his hands, laughing. “Let us not sink to that level. Goodness. The ladies will be wanting hugs too.”
Jane and Adalyn were sitting on one side of the parlour, enjoying tea and conversation, and watching as the gentlemen gathered by the window, chatting, laughing and clearly happy to be united once more.
“A lovely sight,” sighed Jane.
“Indeed, yes,” answered Adalyn. “I almost hate to break it up by letting Daniel take me away.” That feeling had grown as she’d watched his entrance into the room.
“I understand, my Lady,” said Jane, practically. “But there will always be a bond between them, I believe, no matter how far apart they may roam.”
Adalyn tipped her head on one side and surveyed the other woman. “That is a very astute observation, Jane. I think you’re right. And I will admit it’s a comforting thought.”
Giles entered, quietly walking to the women. “I see the reunion progress,” he said, glancing at the men. “Have they had enough chance to become reacquainted? Or should we give them a little longer before getting down to business?”
Adalyn looked at him. “You have important matters to discuss, don’t you,” she observed. “You have that look on your face.”
He chuckled. “As always, my Lady, you know me too well. Yes, I do have some important matters, but these times are precious, and I’d not rob the lads of their chance to be together.”
“If it’s important, Mr Giles, should I leave?” Jane gathered her skirts in her hand.
“No, Jane. You need to stay. You are every bit as involved as they are.” Giles looked at her, a kindly smile on his face. “You plan to wed Trick, I believe.”
She lowered her head, blushing. “He has done me the honour of proposing, yes. Sent a letter to my mum and dad, asking for my hand. All’s been agreed upon and we’re to marry very soon.” She looked at Adalyn. “With your permission, of course, my Lady.”
Adalyn’s eyes filled. “Oh Jane. I’m so happy for you. So very happy.” She reached out and squeezed the other woman’s hand. “He is a wonderful man, and I love him quite terribly. But seeing you two together…that is the greatest miracle.”
Jane looked at her. “Are you sure it’s all right, Lady Adalyn?” She hesitated. “I…I know that Wolfbridge is…different when it comes to how you all…interact.” Finding the right words was clearly a struggle for her.
Adalyn understood. “You’re quite correct. It is different and it took me some time to understand that. But since I’ve been here, I’ve learned about myself, about my gentlemen and about the special kinds of love that can grow unexpectedly.” She leaned toward Jane. “These men have taught me so much, Jane; they’ve loved me in all the wonderful ways you could imagine and given me more than I could ever repay. From them I learned that loving is entwined with giving, selflessly and without reservation. And I learned that my heart’s true desire was only for one of them.” She looked over at Daniel. “That was the most wonderfully enlightening lesson of all.”
“I’m not sure I will ever understand the whole of Wolfbridge,” murmured Jane. “But I have only to look at you and Daniel to see the joy. Just as my heart near stops when I look at Trick. The wonder of him, the fact that he wants me…” she touched her scars and shook her head, unable to finish.
“Jane, my dear. Trick is a noble, sensible and wonderful man. He sees you, loves you, the real you. Not the one I suspect you’re still seeing every time you pass a mirror.”
Jane glanced up. “Do you think so?”
“I do.” She nodded firmly. “I wish we could stay a little longer after both our weddings…especially with Christmas so near,” Adalyn sighed. “But Daniel has new responsibilities and must assume them without delay.”
“And you must honeymoon as well,” urged Jane.
“We will. On the way to his estate in the north.”
“Such a long way away…”
“We will write.” Adalyn reached out again. “Promise me, Jane. Write to me? Let me know what is happening to you and Trick and everyone here…”
“I promise, Lady Adalyn. I promise.”
And with that, Adalyn had to be content, since the gentlemen were walking toward them and allowing Giles to direct them to their seats.
“Right,” he said, standing with his back to the window. “Now we’re all here…and it is good to welcome Jane as a part of our changing family…”
She blushed and folded her hands in her lap.
“There are matters to be discussed.” He looked at Adalyn. “As you all know, our Lady Adalyn and Daniel will wed shortly. They plan to leave right after, if the weather permits, because Daniel—as you may not know—has learned that he has inherited his family’s estate, Nordean Swale, in Staffordshire.”
There were several congratulatory noises made by the others, since Daniel and Adalyn had not shared this information widely at Giles’s request.
“I asked them to remain silent about it, since I wanted to make sure Trick would be here for the news, and because you all need to understand what these changes mean.” He looked around. “We will lose two of our number. That means I must act as soon as possible to replace both Trick and
