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

hand tucked around his arm. “Not an easy situation. But I’m confident that with your care and Daniel’s administration of Nordean Swale, the two of you will be able to cope with it.”
“I hope so.” She took a breath. “We’re going to look at the trip from here to Nordean as our honeymoon.”
“An excellent notion, my dear. Both you and Daniel are bound to enjoy a few days alone together, I’m sure.”
She shot him a quick grin. “We’ll make the best use of our time. We’d better, because once we arrive, I have a feeling there’ll be many tasks ahead of us.”
“My Lady, you have the courage and the heart to take on and conquer all such challenges. And with Daniel at your side…well, I wager you both will be invincible.”
“I hope you’re right,” she said…then stopped walking as a carriage she didn’t recognise pulled up to the front of Wolfbridge Manor.
She did, however, recognise the man who leaped out and turned to look her. “Trick…oh Trick…”
Dropping Giles’s arm, she ran pell-mell toward him, leaping into his arms as he stretched them wide. Their hug was rib cracking, and she found her feet dangling above the ground.
“Adalyn, my darling…” Trick kissed her soundly. “What’s this I hear about you wedding another? Daniel? Where is he? Let me spear him through his traitorous guts…”
She laughed, a happy trill that made everyone smile, including the woman getting out of the carriage.
Putting her down, Trick turned and held out his hand. “Jane, love. Come see who’s here to welcome us.”
Adalyn blinked at Jane’s smile as she looked at Trick. And then saw that emotion mirrored in Trick’s gaze.
“Oh,” she said, choking down her feelings. “Oh Trick. Jane. You…you…”
Jane curtseyed. “My Lady.” She raised her head, her hair now arranged to hide most of the scars she carried on one side of her face. “Yes.” Worry crept into her gaze. “Forgive us, but some things cannot be…controlled or directed…”
“And the heart is one of them,” finished Adalyn. “Oh yes, I know.” She closed the distance between them and hugged Jane hard, then kissed her lightly on either cheek. “Welcome to the Wolfbridge family.”
“I told you,” laughed Trick. “She was anxious you’d be angry.”
“How could I be?” Adalyn turned to Giles. “Did you know they were returning?”
“I knew they finally presented the statements you’d provided to the court last week. And once that was done, it was only a matter of days before they released Trick.”
“And no charges have been laid?”
“None, my Lady,” answered Trick. “Although the mystery of Sir Amery Fairhurst’s death remains unresolved.” He frowned and Jane moved closer to his side. “That is something I’d like to see brought to a conclusion.”
“As would we all,” she nodded. “But for now, you’re here, and that’s all that matters.” She grinned. “And in time for my wedding.”
“I admit I heard a few rumours about such a thing. I didn’t believe it, of course,” teased Trick. “And when they said it was Daniel? Well, I thought of writing Giles to make sure you’d not been over-imbibing the brandy.”
She punched him lightly in the shoulder. “Silly.”
He and Jane stood together, and in the brilliant light they did indeed make a splendid couple. Adalyn’s heart thudded, and she blinked back the tears that stung her eyes. She had chosen her gentleman, but she still loved them all, and now one belonged to another. She wouldn’t say anything, but it was a tiny blow, nonetheless.
Trick was thin, and needed to get back to his former self, since months in a cell did nothing for one’s health. His face was still gaunt, although some good meals would soon take care of that. Overall, he was the same, and the tall shapely woman at his side seemed to radiate her love for him.
That, thought Adalyn, would be the making of Trick, and at that moment her heart settled. He was happy, and she would ask no more than that for any of her gentlemen. In truth, soon none of them would be hers anymore.
Except Daniel. And he was more than enough.
“Oh.” A thought crossed her mind. “Jane, you can’t live here.” She turned to Giles. “Can she? Or will she have to go back to Mrs Barnsley’s?”
“I’ve had a few thoughts on that matter,” he said mildly.
Adalyn’s lips twitched and she looked back at the couple in front of her. “That means he’s got everything worked out to his satisfaction. I’m finally learning to interpret his cryptic utterances.”
Jane choked down a giggle, as Trick rolled his eyes. “Daniel is going to have his hands full,” he sighed.
“Let’s go in, say hullo to the others, and then Giles can tell us exactly what he’s arranged.”
The man in question straightened his shoulders. “An excellent idea, Lady Adalyn. Although I think you give me far too much credit. I’m not prescient, you know.”
“You’re being modest,” she answered with a knowing look. “You have the future mapped out down to the last dotted I and crossed T. Don’t try to deny it.”
“I wouldn’t dream of it.” He shook his head and headed toward the Wolfbridge door. “Trick, you’d better see to your bag…if you want to come in, or head over to the stable first? We’ve kept your room clean and ready for your return.”
Adalyn saw the emotions flooding Trick’s eyes and he looked away, hiding them as best he could. “Thank you, Giles. Yes, I think we’d like to do that first. I would like to settle back there for a few moments. Change my clothes. All that sort of thing.”
Giles nodded. “We’ll see you in the parlour as soon as you’re ready, dear Trick. Jane.” She hugged Jane once more. “I am so happy for you both.”
“Thank you, my Lady,” Jane smiled back. “As are