The Dowager Countess (The Saga of Wolfbridge Manor Book 2)

“I’m glad you enjoyed it, Royce,” answered Evan. “It is your first real meal here, and as such I wanted it to meet with your approval.”
Royce leaned back. “I’m honoured. But from what Giles here tells me, it should meet with everyone’s approval, not just mine.”
“That’s true,” interjected Jeremy. “And from now on, that will be the case. But since you’ve just arrived, we do our best to make you welcome.”
“Appreciated.” Royce acknowledged Jeremy’s words. “So now we can proceed?” He shot a look at Giles.
“Indeed. It is time.” Giles pushed aside his plate and leaned his hands on the table. “There is much to discuss.”
Evan slid his chair back. “How about we clear and then meet for brandy?”
“An excellent notion.” Giles stood. “Royce, you are excused from such duties in honour of your first night.”
“Thanks,” he replied, “I will do my fair share from now on, though. I’ve plenty of experience with dishes.”
“Really?” Evan, his arms loaded with china and cutlery, raised his eyebrows.
“When you’re a soldier, you do as you’re told.”
“Ah,” Evan nodded. “Understood.”
“I’ll pop upstairs and check on Gabriel then…” Royce stood. “And brandy in the…what was it…Rose room?”
“Yes. Off the hall.” Giles watched his face.
“I’ll find it.”
“I’m sure you will.”
All things considered it had gone as well as could be expected, Giles thought to himself as he stoked up the fire in the Rose room. Introducing a strong personality like Royce might have been difficult, and in fact he’d been expecting more challenges.
But then again, Royce had been a soldier. And that sort of experience teaches many things, including how to get on with your fellow man. It would seem a lesson well-learned, and if matters continued this way, one worry would be lifted off Giles’s shoulders.
He left the growing blaze and walked slowly back to his study, wondering how best to present the news he’d received about the future Lady of Wolfbridge. It was customary to give the gentlemen a brief summation of her history, in order that they might be able to welcome her in a manner that would show her their intentions and their respect for her new title.
Adjusting was never easy, but the ones Giles had known all accomplished it within a short time. Adalyn had been amazing in that regard—her joy in her gentlemen had all but exploded shortly after her arrival. She had needed their attentions like a flower needed the sun.
If only this new one would bloom as well.
He returned with the letter in his pocket and put a couple of logs on the fire. They’d all benefit from a glass of brandy, so he poured those as well, passing one to Jeremy who came to his side.
“Thanks,” he said. “Evan is just finishing up the worst of it. The rest he’ll do either later or in the morning.”
Giles sat. “Thoughts on Royce, Jeremy?”
The other man sat across from him and sipped the brandy. “Keeps his opinions to himself. Probably very disciplined. I hope he’s fair, but I don’t expect gentleness from him.”
“Agreed.”
“He has medical skills? Was he a doctor?”
“I don’t believe so, but yes, he’s seen enough in battle to qualify as one, if the need arises.”
“As it did with Gabriel…”
“Yes.”
The man himself walked in, followed moments later by Evan. “Our patient is still sleeping but seems more comfortable. I’d hope he’d sleep through the night, but I can’t guarantee it…”
“In that case, let’s talk now, while we can.” Giles pulled out the letter and rested it on his knee. “Our newest Lady of Wolfbridge must be our first topic of discussion. I’ve reviewed the candidates, and only one is in dire need of a place to live.”
“She shall have it,” Jeremy raised his chin.
“We have to get her here first,” responded Giles. “She was living at a place called Kilham Abbey.”
“Was?”
“Was,” echoed Giles. “As the Countess of Kilham, she spent six or so years there, her husband more than a decade older than herself, but from what I heard it was a pleasant marriage, although with no issue.”
“The search for the heir, I presume?” Royce’s tone was dry.
“It could have been, I suppose. But there already was an heir. From the Earl’s first marriage. Mother passed away directly after the babe was born.”
“A son?” asked Evan.
“Yes, a son. And rumour held him to be spoiled, catered to, and rather jealous of everyone who received more attention than he did.”
“Spoiled brats often become spoiled adults,” Royce observed cryptically.
“I’m afraid so,” nodded Giles. “In this case, his dislike of his step-mama grew proportionately to his age, and when he reached his maturity he left.”
“Good thing, by the sound of it.” Jeremy watched Giles. “But I have to guess there is more to it…”
“Indeed,” sighed Giles. “The young man returned upon his father’s death. His step-mama, now aged about twenty-seven or eight, give or take, was immediately shown the door of Kilham Abbey. The new Earl pushed her out into the Dower House.”
“Well, that seems right. That’s what a Dower House is for, after all. Especially if he was planning on marrying soon…” Evan commented, looking a bit puzzled.
“It turns out, Evan, that this particular Dower House is only standing because it refuses to fall down. It has not been maintained, leaks, is probably infested with rodents, and only has one housekeeper there. And her residency is solely because she was mistress to the old Earl. Not a woman you’d care to spend time with, I’m told.”
“Dear Lord,” said Jeremy, aghast. “That sounds terrible. And through the winter? They must have had firewood and food…”
“I hope so.” Giles shook his head. “I knew she’d moved. I did not know the state of the Dower House until recently. And in my post was a letter