by Sahara Kelly
“Take your time, then.”
So Adalyn did her best to update Trick on the things he needed to know, welcoming his approval of the hiring of temporary lads, and confirming that he would love to have a new permanent stablehand when he returned. They touched on matters of feed, and who might exercise the horses, going over everything she could think of that might need Trick’s input or ideas.
“Nobody will take your quarters, Trick. I promise you that.” She rose and walked to the basket. “I brought you some things, and also this…” She pulled the paper and charcoal from the bottom. “In case you feel like drawing…”
His face lit up and he hurried to her side “Adalyn, bless you. This is just what I needed. Thank you, my l-my Lady.” He remembered to use her title just in time. “Thank you.”
“I cannot stay, I’m afraid,” she said, her heart sinking at the thought of saying goodbye to him.
“I know.” He walked back to the far side of the room and beckoned her. “I thank you for your kindness. This visit has meant so much to me.”
She went into his arms without a word and once more eagerly pressed herself to him, letting him ravage her mouth.
Finally, they separated, breathing heavily, lingering, and not wanting to part.
“I shall make sure Jane keeps up her visits, Trick,” Adalyn cleared her throat as he reached out to tuck an errant lock of hair back beneath her bonnet. “And even if you’re moved, she will be certain to come at least twice a week.”
“That will be most kind, Ma’am. And I thank you for everything you’ve done to keep the stables in good order.”
She straightened and looked at him, just touching his lips with her hand. “They are Wolfbridge stables, Trick. You are Wolfbridge, as much as the rest of us. I am merely taking care of what is mine.”
He looked at her then, as if he saw something new. “You’ve changed, Adalyn. I’m not sure how, but you seem…stronger. More resolute,” he said, a note of wonder in his voice. “You truly are the Lady of Wolfbridge.”
She nodded and moved to the door to summon Gerald.
“Yes, Trick. I believe I am.”
Chapter Twenty-Three
Upon returning to the carriage, Adalyn found Jane waiting inside.
“I hope you will forgive this intrusion, my Lady,” she said as she retreated into the corner and made room for Adalyn. “I was here in Ditchley and heard you were visiting Mr. Trick. I hoped for a break in the weather, but it doesn’t look like we’ll get it, so rather than walk…”
“Of course, Jane, of course. You did just the right thing. You’d told me you’d would be in Ditchley this week, but I couldn’t recall the day, but your Mama reminded me about it. So all has worked out well, and I shall be glad of the company on the way home.” Adalyn smoothed her skirts and settled herself as the driver shut them in. “This rain is quite horrid, so I’m sure we’re both content to be out of it at the moment.”
“’Tis a worry indeed,” answered Jane. “There’s mutters about the river rising.”
“I noticed that on the way here. It was tumbling under the bridge at quite a frantic rate.”
With a jerk and a whinny of horses, they were off, rattling down the small streets of Ditchley and then out onto the road toward Wolfbridge.
“Mr. Trick looked well, Jane, and was most complimentary toward you.” Adalyn watched the youthful face next to her. She barely noticed the scarring now, having become acquainted with Jane the young woman, not Jane the unfortunate victim.
“He’s so kind, Ma’am.” Jane’s beam transformed her. “Always has a thank you and a smile for me, and he makes me feel like I’m someone special.”
Adalyn couldn’t help but smile back. “He has a gift for that, doesn’t he?”
Jane nodded. “He…well, he’s been so kind. I never knew that anyone would be that kind to someone like me.” She took a breath. “Especially somebody as important as Mr. Trick.”
Adalyn watched the young face, noting the warmth that rose in her cheeks. “I hope you’ll find that everyone at Wolfbridge is the same way, Jane. And I have to correct one thing…Trick is as important to all of us as you are. I am learning that the Manor is more of a family than an estate. Yes, it has lands, but the heart of Wolfbridge is in its people. And you are one of its people.”
“Oh, but…I…” Her hand lifted to her scars. “No, I couldn’t…”
“Yes you can, my dear. Set aside your concerns. You are a part of our family now.” Adalyn reached over and took the cold hand in hers. “You tend to me with efficiency and kindness. You have spent many hours going to Ditchley to visit Trick. We could ask no more of each other, and thus you have become one of us. Please remember that?”
“I don’t know quite what to say, Ma’am…” Jane looked at a loss.
“Keep Trick happy for me, Jane.” Adalyn wasn’t sure where those words came from, but they seemed appropriate. “He needs your comfort right now. And I cannot visit him as much as I’d like.”
“But, m’Lady, he’s one of yours…”
“One of ours,” Adalyn corrected. “And we care for him as we care for each other.”
Jane’s eyes filled with tears and she stared out the window, hiding her emotions. Looking at her, a sudden realisation swept over Adalyn.
Jane had fallen in love with Trick.
It wasn’t surprising, given that the man had charm enough for a dozen, but was this wise? She did not want to see the girl hurt—she’d had enough pain in her life already. Trick had spoken highly of her, and yet he’d shown no reticence in kissing and caressing Adalyn.
She sighed. It was too much to ponder at this moment with other things pressing for her attention.
She pushed it to the back of her mind, to be drawn out and considered at a later time.
The continuing rain slowed the return journey, and when they reached the Wolf river bridge Adalyn frowned. “I believe the river has risen since I crossed it earlier today,” she commented.
“’Tis possible, Ma’am,” agreed Jane, looking out her side of the carriage. “Ma always says the rain storms in the hills makes the water rise, but I have to think that what we’re getting now isn’t helping…”
It was now an angry and roiling torrent of water, assaulting the banks and foaming downstream; Adalyn wondered how much rain it took to cause such a violent change in an ordinarily calm body of water.
However, the bridge seemed sound, and they crossed over, happy to be nearing the Manor. Jane was deposited at the Barnsley front door, with many thanks from her and a yelled blessing and wave from Mrs. B.
Adalyn scurried into Wolfbridge, very happy to be home and utterly tired of the heavy rain. “Where is everyone?”
Jeremy entered the hall and helped her off with her coat. “Daniel and Giles are out.”
“In this weather? Good lord,” Adalyn freed a lock of hair from the back of her bonnet.
“Daniel has gone to the farms and then the river,” Jeremy’s face clearly showed his concern. “You must have seen how high the water is rising.”
She nodded. “Both Jane and I mentioned that when we drove over it. Is there really a danger of it overflowing its banks?”
“Yes, my Lady,” he answered. “Yes, it’s a real danger.”
“What can we do? Wait…” she hurried into the Rose room and pulled out the map of Wolfbridge. “Show me.”
Together they bent over the large sheet, and Jeremy’s fingers traced the river. “Here’s the bridge, and here we are. The Manor house is on a bit of a rise, so we’re not at risk unless there is a flood of biblical proportions…” He shot her a quick glance. “Nobody has ever seen that happen.”
“Well, that’s one worry off my mind.” She stared at the markings. “But here…” her finger pointed at the dwellings near the river road. “These are farms, yes? Mrs. B. Is at the top of the street, but these others…”
“Yes, Adalyn. Those are at great risk if the river floods.”
�
�They aren’t exactly on the bank…” She worried her bottom lip as she tried to comprehend the danger.
“No, but these markings here…” he pointed out some lines, “this is how flat the land is. Over here, you can see how the hills are marked.”
She blinked, then traced the river as it emerged from the hills down past Wolfbridge land and on to its final destination—the sea. “The land doesn’t rise very much, does it?”
Jeremy shook his head. “No, it doesn’t.”
“Has it flooded before?”
“A couple of times, yes. Once after some heavy spring snows, I think. Not since I’ve been here though. A lot depends on when the rain stops up in the hills. If it stops there first, then we can all breathe a sigh of relief since the river won’t get any higher. But if it keeps raining up there, then that water will add to what we already have and swell the torrent over its banks.”
“And the bridge?”
“We can only hope it doesn’t fail…”
Evan peered around the door. “May I enter?”
“Of course.” Adalyn barely glanced at him. “Come here and look at this, Evan.” Her attention was glued to the map. “Jeremy is showing me what might occur if the river floods…”
The three of them looked down where Adalyn’s finger rested.
“It will be bad,” muttered Evan.
“What can we do?” Adalyn asked again. “I know we cannot stop the rain, but isn’t there something we can do just in case?”
Evan shook his head. “I can’t think of anything.” He looked at her. “If the worst happens, we can house some tenants here. I have sufficient supplies, I think.”
“All right, well that’s something, anyway.”
A clatter outside distracted them, and Daniel appeared, shaking his wet hair out of his eyes. “It is awful out there. Just bloody awful. No other way to describe it.”
“We know,” replied Adalyn. “What do you think about the bridge?”
He ran his hands through his hair with a groan. “It’s holding. For now. But the water is so close that if debris gets swept up in it, I fear for the structure.”
“So the first thing we do is pray for the rain to let up,” she said, more to herself than anyone else. “Daniel, are there children in those cottages? The ones at risk?”
“Yes, but I’m not sure of a number. Perhaps as many as half a dozen.”
Adalyn glanced from the window. “It’s getting dark, and the heavy clouds aren’t helping. Do you think we can relocate those families with others? Just for tonight?”
“It’s a good idea,” said Evan. “If we go now, I can take the bread I made today. And soup. I have soup. We can move them and give everyone a decent meal. Then tomorrow…”
“We can get a better grasp on the situation…” Jeremy’s voice was sombre. “If it hasn’t improved any…”
“Yes,” agreed Adalyn. “And with luck Giles will be back. He’ll probably have some good suggestions as well.” She straightened. “In the meantime, let us take care of the most pressing matter—those families too near the river.”
“It means going back out, Adalyn…” Daniel frowned.
“Can you drive the carriage?”
“Of course.” Daniel nodded at her.
“Then we’ll fill it with Evan and his food, and I’ll sit on the box with you. Jeremy can ride alongside. And yes, before you even say it,” she raised her palm, “we’re all going to get horridly wet. But nobody died from a trip out in the rain. At least not that I know of. So I will go upstairs and find something practical to wear, and I suggest you do the same. Evan…” she turned to him, “thank you for your suggestion. It’s the right one, I know. It’s up to us here at the Manor to take care of our people. So let’s get to it.”
Three surprised faces watched her as she strode from the room, then they recalled themselves and took off to get ready.
It was, as she had predicted, horribly wet. In fact, she wondered some time later if there were any adjectives left as she carried a small dog in her arms and popped it into the carriage on the lap of a little girl whose eyes were wide and scared.
“There you are, little one. The pup is quite safe. You take care of him now.”
“Yes’m,” whispered the little girl.
“Right, that’s this house clear, Jeremy…” She called up to the box where he had just picked up the reins. “To the Frosts, at the end of the lane, past Mrs. B.’s cottage.”
“On our way.” He clicked up the horses, leaving Daniel and Adalyn to walk up after him. Evan was with Mrs. B., distributing what food they had brought with them. Since the Barnsley cottage was the acknowledged centre of the little community, Evan had a much easier time working from there than he would have done trying to get food where it was most needed. He’d been able to leave most of it in her capable hands, and there’d been time for him to move two cows to safer ground. Their owners were going to be very relieved to hear that.
“The bridge, Daniel. What do you think?” Adalyn asked as they ducked their heads against the driving rain.
“Not good.” The drips formed a small waterfall off the brim of his hat. “The water is too close to the pilings for my liking. It might erode the bank enough to reach them, which is a recipe for disaster.”
“If the bridge fails…”
“We lose access to half the damn county. The nearest bridge after ours is several miles downstream, and the river widens too, so there’s no fording it or anything like that.”
“All right, well we cannot change that situation. At least we’ve removed our people from the worst of the danger.”
“Indeed we have.”
They reached the Barnsley cottage, and the front door was open, light shining out in welcome. Several people were leaving, covered dishes or pots in their hands, or tucked beneath their outerwear.
“My Lady, sir…” There were nods and curtseys, but none lingered—the weather was just too awful for the social niceties.
“Here yer are, my Lady. And look at yer, my goodness. Yer’d give a drowned rat a run for his money.”
Adalyn couldn’t help a chuckle. “Er…yes. It’s raining out there.”
Mrs. B. rolled her eyes. “Come on then. Let’s get yer dried off a little.”
The next half hour helped Adalyn understand the true nature of country life. People dropped in and out, sometimes with an offer of help, sometimes with a request for help. Evan accompanied one young woman home to see if he could get her chimney to stop smoking, and then Jeremy and Daniel found themselves assisting a tenant who had a leak in his roof.
She sat near the fire, steaming—as Mrs. B. so picturesquely put it—like a Christmas pudding. But around her, life continued, buzzing with renewed energy, as if she and her gentlemen had stirred the communal pot and something good was starting to scent their kitchens.
At last, with Evan, Jeremy and Daniel all assembled, Adalyn determined it was time to leave.
“I think this is all we can do for now, Mrs. B.,” she said, rising and straightening her spine. “We will take ourselves back to the Manor and let you get on with the rest of your day.”
“Yer a good lass, if yer’ll pardon my saying so, Ma’am.”
Adalyn smiled. “I thank you. That means a lot to me. I’m a wet lass, I know that. But we’ve done what we set out to do. Tomorrow? Well, tomorrow we’ll see what happens…”
After many farewells, the four weary Wolfbridge residents finally returned, to shed their sopping clothes and rub themselves down in front of their fires.
Adalyn refused the offer of a bath, knowing it would mean more work for the gentlemen. She couldn’t, in all conscience, put them through that. She simply availed herself of hot water and a rough cloth, finding the lavender-scented soap to be both refreshing and relaxing. She brushed out her hair, knowing that trying to do much of anything with it was a lost cause. So she let it lie across her shoulders and down her back. It would dry.
It was a very informal g
athering for dinner, as most everyone was in their night attire.
The sound of Giles returning, made them all turn toward the door, and the look on his face as he saw them sitting at the dining room table in an assortment of robes…well it was priceless.
Adalyn chuckled. “We’ve had a long day, Giles. There’s a little food left, so if you join us we can tell you about it.”
He nodded, but didn’t return her smile. “I’m wet. I’ll change and be with you shortly.” He glanced at Jeremy as he left. “I could use a brandy.”
Adalyn’s heart stuttered. “Oh dear. Bad news, do you think?” She gazed at the others.
“We’ll know soon enough.” Jeremy rose and fetched the decanter and glasses. “Just in case.” He set them out on the table amidst the remains of a very basic meal of bread, some cold chicken, and cheese.
And sure enough, within fifteen minutes, Giles returned. Not in his night robes, but in a clean shirt and breeches. He had left his more formal clothing aside and Adalyn couldn’t help but admire him as he walked into the room, looking more like a pirate than a butler.
“Ah,” he said, his eyes alighting on the brandy. “Yes.”
Adalyn pushed over cheese and bread as he took a seat between her and Daniel. “Please, Giles, don’t keep us in suspense. Your news?”
He took a sizeable swallow of the liquor and sighed with pleasure. “That’s good.” Then he observed all the faces staring at him. “I would guess you’ve have had somewhat of a strange day, to judge by your appearance. So let me get my news out of the way before we get into the rest of it.”
“Yes please.” She encouraged him.
“I had a note this morning about the two servants who left Fivetrees after Sir Amery’s death.”
Silence fell in the room, broken only by the snapping of the fire in the hearth.
“As soon as Miss Fairhurst mentioned names, I was able to trace their movements.”
“That was fast, Giles,” observed Adalyn.
“I see no need to waste time, not when it’s this important, my Lady.”