Trondelaine Castle by April Lynn Kihlstrom

Author:April Lynn Kihlstrom [Kihlstrom, April Lynn]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2013-08-28T05:06:00+00:00

Breakfast was on time again in the morning, and Wendy gave Gwen a grateful smile. Gwen returned it, saying, “Well, Miss, things are certainly quieter now that the other guests have gone. Not that we don’t always like to see his lordship’s friends,” she added hastily.

Gwen glanced at Wendy oddly, and for a moment the American girl wondered how much gossip there had been over Lady Sylvia’s departure

Soon after, Wendy approached the library. Lord Richard was already at his desk. He glanced up as she entered, and nodded curtly, saying, “I haven’t accomplished any work in the last week and now I’ve got to cope with it all. So please work quietly.”

Wendy dared not speak, but simply nodded and sat at her desk. Without Tony’s disturbing presence, she found it very easy to slip into her work. It was a particularly interesting portion of the text and she was oblivious to time-and to the Earl’s gaze as it occasionally rested on her.

It was sometime that afternoon, long after lunch, that Wendy realized he was gone. She set down her pen, suddenly restless, and clumsily got to her feet. On one wall hung a hand-drawn map of the estate. Not for the first time, Wendy studied it. The sketch showed the castle and the ruined tower and the chapel, as well as the orchards and stables and forests. And scattered about the estate were more ruins. There were also gardens, some of which she was certain no longer existed. But then, this map looked rather old.

Peering at one corner, she was able to read the initials R. P. and the date: 1836. Next to this was a floor plan of the house showing the ground floor, first floor, and garret. To her surprise, Wendy realized that the marking indicated that dormitory rooms had been set up in the attic for the servants. The ceiling must be higher than it looks from the outside, she thought. She turned back to the map of the estate. She wondered what it would feel like to be master of such a magnificent holding. Or mistress. It all sounded romantic and wonderful. Particularly if one were married to a handsome earl. Wendy could picture the ladies of bygone days in their silks and satins and velvets dancing in the great hall, entertaining in the drawing rooms. But somehow, she was skeptical. It all seemed too perfect and Wendy distrusted perfection.

With a sigh, she turned back to her desk only to find Lord Richard watching her. He nodded toward the map behind her. “Yes, there have been a few changes since then. Though none as significant as the hallways that were added not long before the plan was drawn.”

“Water? Electricity?” Wendy suggested.

He hesitated. “As important, yes. But in terms of labor involved, the hallways were a greater change. And, frankly, there are still sections of this castle lacking the modern conveniences. And as it is, in winter we generally freeze as the central heating isn’t worth a tinker’s damn.

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