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

out as I shattered around him; his spasms pushing me into a prolonged period of whirling madness. I felt Gabriel’s liquid heat erupt against my backside, and Royce and Evan finished for themselves what I had begun.

All of us, all five of us, shared a moment that had to be unique. Seconds where our hearts thundered like the hooves of racehorses, where our breath left our lungs, and where our bodies exploded into sensations for which there really are no words.

As my muscles surrendered, I collapsed onto Jeremy who slid from my body with a sigh. Gabriel, soft now, gently wiped away the evidence of his pleasure from my backside, and the others took care of such tasks themselves.

Finally we all lay in a tumble, exhausted, panting, quite sweaty and sated.

I spoke. I had to. I said “Thank you.”

I had anticipated humour at that somewhat irrelevant statement, and if I had had some profound expression ready at hand to deliver, I would have done so. But that was all my tired mind could produce. And it was something I really meant.

My words were met with silence for a few moments, and I opened my eyes to see four faces looking at me with expressions I cannot fully describe. There was affection, pleasure, exhilaration, a measure of fatigue, and a warmth that I swear I could feel on my naked skin.

None spoke, but each came to me and kissed me with such sweetness and gentleness that I felt the tears rise behind my eyes. When the last one, Evan, was done, the tears ran free. I was helpless to stop them.

“Sleep well, Gwyneth.” Gabriel was the last off the bed. He pulled up the covers to my shoulders and blew out the candle.

Once the room was empty, of course I had to rise, find my nightgown, take care of my personal comfort, and thus have arrived here, with a fresh candle, writing all these details while they are still clear in my mind. And while my body still recalls the feel of them.

As I have stated earlier, I feel no shame, no regret for this night’s activities.

I would not wish them to become public, of course, since my attitude toward my privacy remains unmoved. But this night, this violation of every single rule, every convention, that applies to women?

I am very happy and satisfied with the result. Four good men have tended to my physical desires in the most pleasant of ways. They have, in fact, behaved as the gentlemen of Wolfbridge should. Is that the only reason, I wonder, their commitment to that appellation? I cannot tell. My common sense is whispering that I’ve not known them long enough for them to love me.

But then again, is love vital for the fulfilment of such pleasures? We all like each other. We care about each other. And I am proof that we desire each other. That is a fact beside which I will stand to the end. This night, my men have made me feel as if I am the most precious and desired woman in the world. I’d like to hope that I gave them the same loving attentions and reassured them of the incredibly important part they play in my life.

I know now that I have their complete loyalty. I refuse to believe that they could touch a woman, caress a woman and bring her to such a peak of ecstasy, without being loyal to her thereafter. They are certainly a unit, which is amazing when I consider how relatively short a time they’ve had to form such bonds.

So as I write this journal entry, my body still a little tender from its energetic adventures, I am warmed and comforted by the sense of belonging I now experience. It is as if these men together form the heart of Wolfbridge. And they have opened themselves to me.

To the first Lady, I have to send my prayers of thanks. I have no idea how you could have known the depths of despair in my soul, and probably in the others who preceded me here in this place. But you did - and thanks to you I am raised, lifted from the darkness, placed in a position of security and affection.

I shall be forever grateful.

That prayer to you must be followed by a prayer to the one who watches over us all. Dear Lord, please help me find the strength, courage and determination to be the best Lady of Wolfbridge I can be.

Do not let me fail in the eyes of those who depend on me, and help me be worthy of the men who have given of themselves so freely.

And should the need arise, help me make the decisions that are right, no matter the choices I face. There are still troubles surrounding us, and I would give my all to keep Wolfbridge and its residents safe.

As they would for me.

 

Chapter Twenty-Seven

Gwyneth had thrown off her covers overnight, and awoken to a stuffy room, the back of her neck damp from the heat. The sun already blazed through her window and she was glad to open it and let in some of the fresher morning air. But it was warm and she sighed at the thought of a hot day outside at the fête.

Her movements brought a tap on the door and Gabriel entered with tea and her gown for the day, a swath of rich velvet draped over his arm.

“You’re going to sweat in this,” he said bluntly.

“And good morning to you too, Gabriel.” She had to grin at his declaration.

He crossed the room, put the tea on her side table, laid the gown reverently on the bed, then kissed her lips, as if it was the most normal thing in the world.