by Abby Ayles
Judith accepted Aunt Tia’s fussing happily, refusing to be embarrassed by the fact that her host for the past month was standing by her side.
“I am glad of that, Aunt Tia. I have been well, I promise you. I have been more than well, actually, all thanks to the duke.”
She stepped away from her aunt then and turned to him.
“Your Grace, as you must have surmised, this is my Aunt, Lady Letitia Witherspoon, Viscountess of Yorkshire. Aunt Tia, I present His Grace, Stephen Dunham, the Duke of Sawbrook.”
Her aunt’s eyes widened and, before she could find her voice, the duke dipped in a bow.
“My lady, it is an honor to meet you. Not only are you family to lady Judith, but you also share kin with the great Lady Rosaline Witherspoon of blessed memory.”
Aunt Tia’s awe grew. “You knew my mother-in-law?”
“Briefly. However, I have heard many tales of her.”
Aunt Tia chuckled at this. “Ahh … She was a great one, she was. She would always say we had a lot in common, and that I reminded her of her younger self. It was why we got along so well. Your Grace, you must forgive my poor manners. I had no inkling I was in the presence of such…”
He did not let her finish. “Please, Lady Witherspoon, it is I who am honored. I must also apologize for coming to your home without notice. It is a decision I only made this morning. I thought it would be unwise to let the ladies travel alone. You must understand, I have come to feel responsible for them.”
Aunt Tia’s eyes twinkled. She was evidently pleased. “You are such a gentleman! Forgive you? There is nothing to be forgiven! You have kept my niece safe and well, all these weeks. You are welcome in my home, at any time. It is no trouble at all, I assure you. In fact, it is a great pleasure. I shall have the servants prepare a chamber for you.”
She took his hand and held it in both of hers.
“You must know, our family is immensely grateful to you, beyond words can say. We cannot hope to ever repay your kindness. That is not to say we will ever stop trying. Dear Judith is so precious to us and, for keeping her safe, you too have become a part of the family.”
She turned to Judith then, grinning from ear to ear.
“You have brought such a handsome man to my home, Judith. Now, my joy is doubled.”
She took a step back, releasing the duke’s hand, to look from Judith to the duke and back again.
Eyes twinkling with mischief, she said, “Oh dear, see how lovely you both are, standing side by side. if I didn’t know better, I would think you were a couple.”
Before any of them could find words to say, she turned to Amy.
“My dearest Amy. You could not possibly think I did not see you there, did you? Come here, my dear! You are family, too!”
Amy wasted no time in stepping into Aunt Tia’s warm embrace. The sight was so beautiful to behold, Judith felt her heart squeeze.
“Sweet child, I am so happy to see you in one piece. I have missed you too. Thank you for all you do. For taking care of Judith as a sister, and friend. My heart will forever bless you.”
“My lady!” was all Amy could say.
As Judith felt tears sting her eyes, she blinked hastily, looking away. She ended up locking gazes with the duke, who had apparently been staring at her.
There was something about the way he was looking at her, a gleam in those eyes that gave her a pause and left her trying to remember how to breathe again.
Aunt Tia’s words echoed in her head, and her cheeks grew warm, filling with crimson.
Not knowing what to say, not even trusting herself to speak, she smiled shyly. The duke smiled in return.
Her stomach squirmed, and she bid her heart be still.
Finally, Aunt Tia and Amy broke their embrace, bringing an end to Judith and the duke’s moment.
“Come, come, let us all go in. There is much to do. You will only be here for a few days, so we must make the most of our time. First, you shall be shown to your chambers. After you have refreshed yourselves, you will come down to dinner. Perhaps tomorrow, I shall give you a tour of the estate. It is nothing grand. Quaint, as I said, but it is beautiful, and it is home. You will love it, you shall see.”
Her aunt was a breath of fresh air. So free in spirit, so bold and dauntless.
She was all that Judith hoped to be and more. She knew now without a doubt that deciding to come to her, all those weeks, ago had been the right thing to do.
“I am sure we will, Aunty. I am sure we will.”
Chapter 23
Two hours later, they were gathered in the dining hall.
They had spent the intervening time settling into their various chambers, resting from the journey, and preparing for dinner.
As they dined, Stephen looked at the faces of everyone in the room, still trying to convince himself that he was not dreaming.
All through the journey, even as they arrived at the estate and received the warm welcome, he could hardly believe that he had indeed left Dunham.
For three years he had refused to set foot out of those giant gates. Yet, for Lady Judith, he had done so without a second thought.
He knew he would receive a chiding from Thomas when he returned. His butler had tried to hide his astonishment, but Stephen knew him too well not to see through his façade.
He could hardly fault Thomas; he was still in shock himself.
While he had been alone in the chamber that had been prepared for him, he had pinched himself once or twice just to make certain that all of this was really happening.
He looked at Lady Judith, the woman who was responsible for turning his world on its head.
Did she know? Did she know just how much wonder she had brought to his life? How she made him act so completely out of character? How she so easily made him do things he had thought he would never be able to do ever again?
He did not think she did.
Certainly, she was not aware of how much she affected him. It was not possible that she understood just how tightly she had woven herself into his heart.
He was afraid that she only needed to say the words, and he would do anything she asked of him, without question.
He was an utter fool.
A fool who had fallen in love with a woman whom he could not have.
Yes, he was in love.
Hopelessly and helplessly so. There was no use denying it any longer. He was head over heels.
Strangely, accepting this truth did not come with the guilt he had thought it would.
He felt no sense of wrong or betrayal.
Abigail would always have a place in his heart. He would cherish her always. He had honored her in life and in death, and would honor her still, until he breathed his last.
Nevertheless, he had come to love another. It could not have been stopped or helped. The moment he saw her at his gate that cold morning, his fate had been sealed.
So, there he was, in her aunt’s home, knowing that despite his surprise at his own impulsive behavior, there was nowhere else he would rather be.
Certainly not back in Dunham without her.
Being able to see her face, feel her presence, look into those green eyes, gave him more than happiness; it gave him peace.
His heart no longer hurt. He had not suffered his fits in almost a fortnight. That was longer than he had ever gone without them.
It was all because of her and the light she carried.
She must have felt his gaze, for in that moment she turned to him and smiled.
He trembled as a shudder racked through him. Such was the effect she had on him.
Everything about her was beautiful, but that smile was his undoing. She soon went back to eating, and in no time, they were done with dinner.
As they rose, Lady Witherspoon chimed, “I know you all must be too tired for a walk. However, I find I am not ready to say goodnight so quickly. Shall we go to the drawing room? We can make up for lost time over a nightcap.” She winked as she finished speakin
g, and Stephen found himself smiling.
He liked the lady. He had instantly found her endearing.
There was a purity, a genuineness, and light to her spirit that made it so easy to quickly grow fond of her. Then there was that strength she so clearly possessed.
It was the kind Lady Judith also had.
He was happy that his fair lady had such a woman as the viscountess for an aunt.
Upon everyone’s agreement, they marched to the parlor. As they entered, Stephen was quick to notice the lovely pianoforte standing in a corner of the large room.
His eyes found Lady Judith, of their own accord, and when she met his gaze, he knew that they shared the same thoughts.
Deciding that they would discuss it later, he took his seat beside her.
In no time, they were all settled in.
“Imagine my awe when I read that you were here, in Sawbrook,” Aunt Tia started. She had chosen the long sofa and now had her legs stretched out over it.
“That wicked storm. All my life I do not think I have experienced such treacherous weather. There were days when I thought it would never stop pouring. The messengers who brought the letters had already risked their lives. I could not bring myself to instruct them to make the journey to Nordame, informing you of my presence here, until I was certain that the roads had become safe again.”
She heaved a sigh. “It nearly drove me mad. Every day spent here, knowing that you were so near, yet I could not send word nor come to you. I imagine your parents must have been wracked with even more worry than myself. Have you received word from them?”
Lady Judith nodded. “Yesterday. It came along with yours. I hear the roads to London are nearly impassable, but there are now paths safe enough for horses.”
“So, you have written to them again?”
“Yes. To calm their fears further.” Lady Judith answered.
“Ah. That is excellent. Perhaps I, too, shall send word. Let them know that I have seen you and testify that you are indeed well.”
“I am certain they would be happy to hear from you.”
Lady Witherspoon’s face transformed with a smile.
“They will, won’t they? Ah, indeed. I shall send word at first light tomorrow.”
There was a pause as she turned to Stephen. “Your Grace, I hope your chamber is to your liking.”
Stephen nodded. “It is perfect. I have received such a warm welcome. I thank you.”
“Oh, believe me, the pleasure is all mine. It is not every day your favorite niece brings home a nice, young man. And a man who has proven himself worthy of our affection, nonetheless.”
Stephen flushed. He could only smile, overwhelmed by her high praise.
Pretending to be oblivious, Lady Witherspoon turned to Lady Judith.
“Judith, I have always known you take after me more than you do your mother. You might be the child of her womb, but you are mine at heart. It is why our choice of men is so alike and so very excellent, I must say.”
Stephen flushed even harder.
It was easy to tell that Lady Witherspoon approved of him. This pleased him no end.
Nothing might come of whatever was brewing between himself and Lady Judith, but, at the very least, he could revel in the fact that her aunt had taken a liking to him.
“Aunt Tia!” Lady Judith cried. Her face was as red as a berry, and she would not look him in the eyes.
Lady Witherspoon simply snickered, apparently enjoying herself too much.
She allowed a moment of silence, so they could recover. Then, she broke the spell.
“It is so quiet in here. It would be lovely to have some music, do you not think? Judith, the last I remember, you could play the pianoforte. Be a dear and play us a tune, would you?”
Lady Judith turned to the duke, finally meeting his gaze, and once again, he knew what she was thinking.
He saw the question in her eyes and, for the life of him, he could not bring himself to refuse.
He had ridden a horse for her. He had shared his music with her. He had traveled in a carriage, half the time willing his mind not to be held petrified with fears from the past.
Why would he not play with her, in front of an audience?
She only had to ask, and in her way she had.
And his answer was yes.
He nodded slowly and, if he had any doubts, they floated away when he saw her eyes instantly light up, twinkling brighter than the stars.
“I would love to play you a tune, Aunty, but I would not be playing alone. You must hear His Grace play. I have never heard anyone make melodies more beautiful.”
Lady Witherspoon looked at him. “Truly? You are a man of art? Ah … I grow even fonder of you, Your Grace. Please, do honor me with your music.”
She did not have to ask again.
Stephen rose to his feet. Bowing, he said, “It would be my pleasure.”
Together with Lady Judith, he walked to the pianoforte.
He waited until she had seated herself before joining her at the piano.
Then, he started to play. It was one of the tunes they had played together. She soon joined him, and they played as though they had been duetting for years, so much so that they were now as one, making sweet, harmonious melodies together.
By the time they finished playing, their audience had increased, as the servants, drawn by the music, peeked through the open doors.
The song’s end drew a standing ovation.
Holding Lady Judith’s hands, the duke rose to his feet, causing her to do the same.
He bowed low to their audience and she sank into a curtsy.
The cheering continued and, slowly, Stephen found that he liked it.
He enjoyed playing with Judith, especially in front of all those people, and he was glad he had decided to share his music again.
The applause, if anything, convinced him all the more that this was what living felt like.
Full. Free. Without limitations.
All of it was beautiful.
Chapter 24
Judith had a restful night’s sleep. She dreamed of meadows and trees, of rainbows, and riding out into the sunset with the man who stirred her heart by her side.
When she awoke the next morning, there was a smile on her face. She opened her eyes to find golden rays streaming in through the open window. A quick look around told her that Amy had already been there that morning.
Rising to a sitting position, she saw the dress her maid had picked out for her. It was a lovely yellow dress with ruffled sleeves and a sweetheart neckline. It had been a gift from her brother for her last birthday. She felt like a princess whenever she wore it.
She thought about the duke being here in her aunt’s home, and how they would be able to spend the day together again. It was just as well that Amy had chosen this dress.
She would look pretty. For him.
As soon as she got out of bed, she heard three knocks at her door.
“Who is it?” she called out.
“It is me, my lady,” Amy responded, confirming Judith’s suspicions.
“You may enter,” she called out again.
The door opened, and Amy entered with several servants, who carried hot bath water. As soon as they had filled the bath, they stepped out, leaving her alone with Amy. Together, they began to prepare for the day.
An hour and a half later, they descended the stairs for breakfast. Aunt Tia and His Grace were already seated, waiting for them.
After they said their greetings, they settled down and began to eat.
It was a meal of eggs, muffins, and toast. There was also an array of fruit.
When breakfast ended, Aunt Tia rose to her feet and clapped her hands together.
“Now that you are all well rested, I say it is as good a time as any to take that tour, do you not agree? The sun is out, the garden is lush with greenery, the air…” she paused to draw in a deep breath, “...smells heavenly; not that I’d know what heaven smells like, but i
t can’t be that far off.” Aunt’s face settled into a grin as she finished, and Judith could not help but smile.