by Abby Ayles
There was a smile on Mr. Hanks’ face. He seemed eager to complete the journey.
He was such a friendly person, and Judith could not help liking him. He also reminded her of Mr. Giraud, and that made her sad.
Forcing a smile in return, she simply nodded and began to walk toward the inn, with Amy in tow. Mr. Hanks followed them, and, as they entered, he found the landlady and pulled her aside to speak with her.
Deciding not to trouble herself with the subject of their discussion, Judith busied herself with taking in the inn’s interior.
There was a large open hall and at one end, a wooden stairway leading to the floor above. From where she stood, Judith only had to look up to see what lay there.
There was a wide landing, with several doors leading off it. Stout bannisters were there to keep people who walked those corridors from falling. She supposed those doors led to rooms; one of which she would be spending the night in.
The inn was quaint indeed. It was warm, too, thanks to the enormous hearth that glowed with heat at the other end of the hall.
Below the stairs where she stood was a huge space filled with tables and chairs. There were many people eating and drinking. Evidently, Judith surmised, this was where they would be dining that evening.
If the last inn she had stayed at was anything to go by, during late hours, it must also serve as a tavern for local people.
The sweet aroma of food filled the air, and as it found its way into her nostrils, she realized that she had not eaten anything all day. She must have missed lunch while she was asleep.
This was confirmed by the growling of her stomach that immediately followed the thought.
Mr. Hanks returned just in time to hear it, and her face turned red from embarrassment.
Smiling, he said, “I shall help you to your rooms, so you may wash and change. By the time you’re done, a hot meal will be waiting for you down here.”
“Thank you, Mr. Hanks. How much did it cost for the rooms?” She was already reaching for her reticule.
“Nothing you must concern yourself with, my lady. His Grace gave me more than enough to see to things like this.”
Judith paused as she took in those words.
Stephen had not only hired a carriage, but also made certain she would not have to spend a penny until she arrived in Yorkland.
Her heart fluttered, and she bit her bottom lip, chiding herself. She was supposed to be getting over him, not falling more deeply in love.
Nonetheless, how was she to achieve such a feat when he refused to stop being so sweet, even in his absence?
“I see. Oh well, when you return to Dunham, please do not forget to tell His Grace he has my utmost gratitude.”
Mr. Hanks nodded as he bowed. When he straightened, he gestured to the stairway. “This way, my lady.”
She followed as he led them to their rooms, all the while touched at the thought that Stephen had been so thoughtful, even in his anger.
A noble man, through and through.
Chapter 30
As Mr. Hanks had promised, there was a meal waiting for them when they went back down for dinner.
It was the same the next morning when they graced the dining hall for breakfast.
“This is truly a wonderful place, don’t you think?” Amy asked.
Her pleasure was as clear as day, and Judith was happy to know she found their lodgings agreeable.
“I do, Amy. The water is hot, the meals are delicious. The bed is comfortable, and the rooms are quite generous for an inn. When we return to London, I shall make certain we stop here again.”
“That would be lovely,” Amy replied, grinning.
She still would not ask Judith what had happened with the duke. Judith had decided that when she was ready, she would tell her everything, anyway.
Just then, she caught a loud exclamation from the people at the table next to them, and she turned to find three women heavily enthralled in gossip.
Giving them her full attention, she easily overheard their conversation.
“People believe the duke is finally doing better, I tell you! He has been seen out in the villages. He even hosts dinners for the lords these days!” the first woman said.
The second gushed, “I had heard it, but I did not think it was true. And the lords who have visited? Did they confirm the rumors? Is Dunham truly haunted by ghosts? I hear the hallways are so dark and cold, one can feel the chill seeping into one’s bones even on a perfectly warm day.”
The third woman spoke then, a smug smile on her face. “My husband was privileged to attend one of these dinners. He says there was nothing of the like. It seemed like a normal home to him. Warm and full of cheer. Even the duke appeared to be in high spirits. Strange. I wonder if the illness that plagued him is finally gone.”
Illness, Judith wondered? He had not seemed ill to her. Ever.
The first lady spoke again. “If he has indeed recovered, then it must be a miracle. He was plagued for years following his wife’s death. Martha, my sister-in-law, has a friend whose niece works in the household. They say when the fits come, he becomes less than human. His bones fail him. He can scarcely walk, or even stand up straight. He loses his vision as well and becomes quite unhinged. When it finally claims him, he could be asleep for an entire day or more. When he wakes, he locks himself away in his chamber for days, never coming out.”
She paused to drink from her cup. As she swallowed, she continued.
“I heard the illness was sure to claim his life, that he is not long for this world. It’s only a matter of time before he joins his family in death. Many physicians tried all they could to heal him in the beginning, do you not remember? How can he suddenly recover from such a terrible illness? No. I think not. I believe the duke knows his time is near and is only trying to make the most of the days he has left. Pity. He was such a charming, happy young man, with a beautiful life ahead of him. It is terribly sad that fate had to be so cruel.”
“No one knows what really happened to them to this day. He won’t speak about it, I hear,” the third lady said as the first finished.
“What does it matter? It was a terrible accident, they died, he survived, and has never recovered from it.” It was the second lady.
Judith frowned. An accident? Stephen had been in the accident as well?
“I’m not so certain about him never recovering. There might be another reason for the sudden change in that household. My husband tells me the duke has a lovely lady by his side whenever they have these dinners. I have never attended any with him, as I always have prior engagements. My husband believes that His Grace looks upon this young woman with love in his eyes. He only introduces her as his guest. No one seems to know who she is, or where she comes from.”
One of the women suddenly gasped, pausing. Her hands flew to her mouth, her eyes widened, and she looked from one friend to another.
“You don’t suppose she’s living in his home, do you? Perhaps, the duke has remarried, and we didn’t know?”
“Goodness!” The woman next to her exclaimed. Turning to her friend, she said, “Do you suppose you could ask your sister-in-law to ask her friend to ask her niece, who this lady is?”
The first lady frowned, shaking her head. “We had a quarrel and aren’t speaking to each other at the moment. We must find out through another means.”
Judith decided she had heard enough then.
She turned to Amy and, as their eyes met, she knew that Amy had also heard it all.
Her head was spinning. She did not think it would be wise to trust such idle gossip, yet something in her could not simply ignore their words.
Memories of the first time she had seen the duke flooded her. It had been at dinner, and she had mentioned his family. He had excused himself from the dining room immediately and, as he walked away, she could have sworn she caught him limping.
In the days to come, she had told herself she must have been mistaken in the darkness. Now, she was no lon
ger so certain.
If the illness affected his ability to move, could he have suffered a fit shortly after he left the dining room that evening?
Also, she remembered with a chill that day on the balcony, when he had asked her to remember her place. She recalled hearing him call for Thomas with so much anguish in his voice.
The servants had suddenly grown wary, speaking in hushed voices, walking on tiptoes afterwards. They had gone back to being as gloomy as they had been when she and Amy had first arrived.
She had not seen him for the entire day, either.
When Mr. Beauregard had come with news of his master’s order the next morning, she had simply surmised the servants had been that way because they had guessed what was coming.
Now, she was not so certain.
If he truly was sick and dying, he had managed to hide it well. It also meant he could have chased her away because he did not want her to learn the truth and begin to hurt for his sake.
Her eyes widened as realization dawned.
This new piece of information changed everything. He had sent her away to protect her. Of course!
Aunt Tia had been certain Stephen loved her.
The woman had said that her husband claimed Stephen had looked upon her with love.
From his actions, she could swear that he cared for her deeply.
They could not all be mistaken, could they?
She chuckled as tears filled her eyes.
The fool.
For that was what he was, chasing her away for her own sake. He could have been honest with her. He could have let her make her own choice.
No, she would not accept it. She would not leave him, either. Not when he needed her the most.
“What will you do?” Amy asked.
Judith smirked, rising to her feet. Easily, she spotted Mr. Hanks in a small crowd, and she called out to him.
“Mr. Hanks! Prepare the carriage. We must go back to Dunham!”
As she said those words, the women turned to her and began to murmur.
“What did she say?”
“Dunham?” One of the women exclaimed shocked.
“Could it be?”
Judith paid them no heed as she left the dining hall for her room.
She was going back to him. It mattered not what he said. She would never leave him. Not again.
***
“Here you are! I’ve been looking all over for you.”
Stephen only spared Thomas a glance as he took a seat by his side. He said nothing. He had come to the stream because he wanted to be left alone.
As though Thomas had read his thoughts, he spoke again.
“I know you came here because you didn’t want to be found. Truth is, I’ve known where you were since you left at dawn. I only decided to come to you now because the sun is beginning to set, and I was growing worried.”
Stephen remained quiet. His eyes were fixed on the flowing waters, his ears missed the sound of peace that accompanied the rustling leaves, blowing wind and silence.
“You’re really not going to speak to me? Pray tell me why you’re so sullen. I did everything you asked of me.”
Stephen gave in to the urge to roll his eyes as he sighed. At this point, it was clear Thomas was deliberately irking him to get a response.
He would not give up so easily.
After a long moment passed and his master still refused to speak, Thomas huffed.
“You shouldn’t have sent her away when you knew you’d be so miserable without her. You always were stubborn, even as a child. I never minded, as it always did you more good than harm. However, I am afraid that this time, I shouldn’t have let you have your way … for your own sake. I’m worried you’re going to take ill. You haven’t had anything to eat since she left, and it’s been two days.”
“I’m not hungry,” Stephen muttered, finally speaking.
Thomas was quick to respond. “I’m sure. Still, it wouldn’t hurt to fill your belly with something, no matter how little. Some bread, perhaps?”
“I miss her,” he blurted.
He did. So much. Eating was not the only thing he had not been able to do since she left. He had not been able to catch a wink of sleep either.
The pain in his heart was so raw.
He missed everything about her, her smile, her beautiful laughter, her soft voice. The way her eyes twinkled when she was pleased. That face reminded him of angels.
Thomas did not appear to be taken aback by his confession at all.
“Ahh … don’t we all? Although, I know you miss her more. There is still time to make amends, you know. You could write to her, or ride to Yorkland and bring her home.”
He was quick to protest. “This is not her home.” He winced as the words left his lips. It was too weak a protest.
“I might believe you if you said it like you mean it. We both know she belongs here, in Dunham. She was meant to find us. See all the wonders she did in her short time here. It could only have been her.”
Stephen heard Thomas loud and clear and he could not agree less.
“It matters not. She is long gone now, and I shall not be going after her. My reasons for sending her away remain valid. Nothing has changed.”
“There you go, being stubborn again. Contrary to what you believe, Master, you deserve happiness, joy, and love. If Lady Judith decides to give all of these to you, who are you to deem yourself unworthy on her behalf?”
“It would not be fair to make her suffer…”
Thomas did not let him finish. “You’re so certain you will die. I am afraid you seem to have already, Your Grace, for what is living anyway, if it is done without hope?”
Thomas’ words hit Stephen hard. If he had been standing on his feet, he would have staggered. He turned to Thomas then, looking his way for the first time since he arrived.
“You think it is possible to overcome this illness?”
Thomas nodded. “I think Lady Judith might just be the key. Have you forgotten? When all was well and rosy between you too, the fits stayed away. If you would only trust her and answer all the questions that she has, you two could live happily ever after, and grow old together.”
It was such a beautiful dream Thomas painted with his words. One Stephen wanted more than anything to allow himself to have. Alas, he knew better.
He had thought he would live happily ever after with Abigail. But alas, his life was a tragedy, not a fairytale. He would be wise to remember that.
“That must have been a stroke of luck, no more, no less. You do not truly believe that it had anything to do with her, do you?”
Thomas smiled as he gave a curt nod. It was small, but warm.
“I know that in your heart of hearts, you do as well.”
His old friend knew him too well. Of course, he did. He had known it all the while, even though he had refused to accept it.
Was he truly wrong to have sent Judith away? Had he acted too rashly? Could he have handled things better?
Why had he pushed her away when he knew living without her would be near impossible?
“You should have told me all of these before I made her leave,” he muttered under his breath, but Thomas caught it anyway.
“Forgive me. I was simply doing my master’s bidding as a humble servant.”
Stephen scoffed. “You have never been just a servant to me, and you know this. You’re friend, uncle, guardian.”
“Is that so? Ahh. It appears I have been mistaken all this while. Now that I know my place, I shall act accordingly,” Thomas teased.
Stephen could hear the smile in his voice. He did not know exactly when he had begun to smile as well.
“Yes, be sure to do so.”
“I will....”
Stephen chuckled at Thomas’ response. As he recovered, he remembered Judith once again, and the words Thomas had just told him.
“Whatever am I to do now? Shall I go to her?”
“I do not think that will be necessary, Y
our Grace. It appears, she’s beaten you to it.”