The Dowager Countess (The Saga of Wolfbridge Manor Book 2) by Sahara Kelly (classic children's novels txt) 📕

paperwork, which I’m not offering, and I doubt he is, either.” Jeremy nodded at Giles, who had taken a comfortable chair by the window and was watching the proceedings with a measure of amusement.

“Well then, why are you both here? I’m sure it’s entertaining to watch me fumble around like an untrained swaddie…” He swore again and barely caught the inkwell before it fell off the desk.

Giles held up his hand. “Enough now. Stop what you’re doing Royce. Jeremy, pick up those papers.” It was time to settle these two down. “Evan and Gabriel will be here in a few moments.”

“Ah. We’re meeting in my office then, are we?”

“Yes, Royce we are. You have a fire.” Giles stated the obvious.

“Sorry,” Evan and Gabriel appeared. “We got caught up making sure the fire in Lady Gwyneth’s room had wood in the basket.”

“She’s resting, by the way,” added Gabriel. “I would guess she’s asleep, but she is awake more often now, so sometimes it’s in between…”

Royce nodded. “That’s as it should be. Her mind has to be healed as much as her body. Depriving a human of food for that long…it’s a very bad thing indeed. She’s lucky she’s young and must have been fairly healthy before her ordeal began..”

“I wanted to speak of her, which is why I asked you all here,” began Giles. “I must tell her very soon about Wolfbridge. About her position here, and about you all.”

He looked around at the four faces, so very different, and yet all possessing strengths that showed in their expressions.

“It is time, isn’t it?” Jeremy turned to Giles. “Usually the Lady knows within a day or so, but clearly Lady Gwyneth needed a chance to recover first.”

“It’s only been several days, though, Giles,” Evan looked concerned. “I’m not sure if she’s ready…”

“How do they usually take it?” Gabriel’s question was innocent enough, but Giles found himself wanting to chuckle.

He merely shrugged. “It depends on the Lady. Learning that she is now formally the Lady of Wolfbridge, and has you four at her beck and call…well, it’s a bit of a shock at first.”

“I can’t begin to imagine,” added Royce, in a tone as dry as sand.

“I believe she is coming to recognise you all? Even if she is not remembering names?”

“Giles, have you been in to see her?” Evan asked.

“No, not yet. I’ve waited until she is somewhat more herself.”

“She’s almost herself.” Gabriel spoke firmly. “I was able to wash her hair for her. Tired her out, but she was very grateful. She is not grateful to whoever cut it off, but I will leave that explanation to you.”

“In that case, I suppose now would be the time to tell her of her new situation then. You all agree?”

Four heads nodded.

“I’d go gently, though,” offered Royce. “She’s still weak. And until we can get some solid food into her, she’ll probably stay that way. Broth and sops are one thing. A good plate of eggs is another.”

“I understand.” Giles stood. “Thank you. That’s what I needed to know.” He turned to the desk. “Royce, stick with it. We need a hand steadying our finances. Daniel’s been gone two months; any longer and we might fall behind in our obligations.”

“I won’t let that happen, I swear.” Royce took a breath. “I just need to comprehend the system at work here.”

“Jeremy, I’m giving you complete control over the house.” Giles touched him on the shoulder. “You may set a new schedule for the maids if you think it’s necessary.”

“Since they’re only here a few hours a day, it might not be, but I’ll think about it. With our Lady still abed, it might be useful to set their start time back an hour. Let me consider it.”

“I will.” Giles turned to Evan. “We’ll need some specialised foods, Evan. Royce knows what she should be eating, but it will be up to you to make it palatable for her.”

“I believe that will be possible.” Evan’s eyes twinkled. “After all, every one of you has been eating foods that are good for you without complaint.”

“I knew it. Those were sprouts last night, weren’t they?” Jeremy made gagging noises.

Giles sighed. “Gabriel, walk me upstairs to Lady Gwyneth’s room. I would not wish to frighten her with a new face when she’s just becoming accustomed to the four of you.”

The two of them left Royce to his work and walked up the stairs together.

“Have you had chance to get a sense of Lady Gwyneth’s state of mind?” asked Giles.

“Confused as hell, I’d guess,” Gabriel shrugged. “She knows she’s at Wolfbridge and that she’s been ill. Whether she remembers anything before you found her, or during her period of starvation?  I don’t know. She’s…”

“She’s what?”

Gabriel shook his head. “I might say she is careful. Or reticent. I’m not sure which. But I think she might be slightly more aware than she’d like us to know.”

Giles thought about that. “Not an unwise precaution when you wake up in a strange place with strange people, no matter how well they tend you.”

“Good point,” acknowledged Gabriel, pausing outside her door. “You would like me to introduce you?”

“Yes, I think that would be wise.”

“Very well, then. Let’s see how the lady reacts to meeting her saviour.” Gabriel opened the door quietly and walked inside. “My Lady,” he said in a low voice. “Are you feeling up to some company?”

There was silence for a moment.

Then Giles heard her voice, as if for the first time.

“That would depend on who it is.”

*~~*~~*

Gwyneth turned her head on the pillow to see Gabriel peering around the bed hangings. He was smiling. He smiled a lot, she had noticed. But not in a way that made her uncomfortable; it was more that his disposition was