by Abby Ayles
Your mother’s letter had to be brought here by one of my servants from Yorkshire, as did yours.
Now, on to you. Oh dear. It is such a terrible thing that happened. My heart aches for you still. I am only now sending word because the roads have only just become safe to travel again.
Thank the heavens you, too, are in Sawbrook. How lucky you were to have stumbled upon the duke’s estate.
I have asked about the duke. I hear he suffered a great loss years ago and has since become a recluse. Nevertheless, his people say he is gracious, kind, and noble.
For this reason, my heart rests easy: I know you are in good hands.
You must let him know of my gratitude for his kindness. It is a debt we all owe him.
Nordame is only half a day’s ride from Earlshire, where I currently reside. It would be wonderful to see you should you be able to make the trip.
You may send word ahead if you choose to come, so that I may prepare for your arrival.
I wait upon the day I shall see you again, my sweet. Until then, fare thee well.
With love,
Aunt Tia.
As Judith finished reading the letter, she turned to the duke, her heart racing with happiness and hope.
“My aunt is in Earlshire. She says it is only a half a day’s ride from here!”
The duke’s brow furrowed in confusion.
“Earlshire? But that is in Sawbrook. I thought she lived in Northern England.”
“She does, but her husband also has an estate in Earlshire. It belonged to his mother.”
“Would his mother happen to be the Countess Rosaline Witherspoon?” he asked. “Theirs is the only estate I can think of.”
Judith’s eyes widened. “Yes, why? You knew her?”
“Only briefly. I was only eighteen when she passed. I had the privilege of meeting her a handful of times. Still, I know she was a force to be reckoned with. As the only child of her father, she remained countess after his passing, taking on the rule of Earlshire and still managing to fulfil her duties as Viscountess of Yorkshire. My father had such great respect for her.”
He paused to look away. He appeared to be pondering a thought. He soon returned his gaze to her.
“I do believe I know exactly where your aunt is, Lady Judith. Thankfully, the roads in that direction have been repaired. Although those leading to London remain mostly impassable.”
“Are you saying it is possible to visit her?”
She should not be visiting from Dunham. She should be leaving Dunham for good, but she could not bring herself to do so, not yet.
She would go to Aunt Tia and spend a few days with her. Then she would return to Dunham and decide when would be a good time to return home.
“Certainly. When would you like to leave?”
“Now?” she answered, hopeful.
He smiled. “It can be arranged, but I believe it would only be right to give your aunt a little notice.”
He was right. Aunt Tia herself had requested that.
Judith nodded. “True. Very well, then, I shall send word today. And we shall leave tomorrow.”
“I will have a carriage prepared for you. Anything else you need to make your journey comfortable will also be provided.”
This warmed her heart. “How can I ever thank you enough? My parents and Aunt Tia send their profound gratitude. They believe they are in your debt.”
His gaze held her eyes as he replied, his filled with meaning. “I have gained more than I ever dreamed possible. There was never a debt and, even if there were, it has been paid in full and beyond. Your family need only know what goodness your presence here in Dunham has brought to us all.”
Judith would ask what goodness exactly, but somehow, she knew that time would come later.
Her eyes brimmed with tears again, and, this time, he gently cupped her cheek.
“No, Lady Judith. No more tears. Only happiness. Yes?”
They were tears of joy. Nonetheless, it was starting to get embarrassing, crying in his presence, with all the servants there to see.
So, she wiped her face once again and nodded, smiling.
“Yes.”
***
That afternoon was filled with preparations for Lady Judith’s journey the next day.
Stephen oversaw the arrangements, making certain that everything was well organized. He had the newest carriage brought round, strong and sturdy, and chose the best horses to lead.
He handpicked the best of his coachmen, and he watched the weather like a hawk.
He refused to take chances, not this time. So, he remained busy throughout the whole afternoon and evening.
As night came, and he retired to his chambers, all the thoughts he had managed to keep at bay, immersing himself in all that needed to be done, suddenly hit him in waves.
He had done all he could to ascertain that she would have a safe trip. All that was left was pray that this time, fate would be kind to him.
Still, he could not bring himself to stop worrying. His fears remained and, beyond them, thoughts of how much he would miss her plagued him.
He could not imagine being apart from her, even if only for a few days.
He had watched her as she read those letters, heart in his hand, as he wondered what words they contained, and what she would do with them.
When he had seen her cry, he had felt something he could not quite explain. Knowing they were tears of joy had helped only a little.
He had wanted to draw her into his arms, hold her tight and whisper sweet words of comfort into her ears. He had wanted to cradle her head against his chest, patting her beautiful golden hair until she cried no more.
Alas, it was not his place and they had an audience. So, even when it had been so difficult to keep his arms to himself and sit still, he had done so.
When she announced that her aunt was in Sawbrook, his heart had dropped. He had known then that losing her was imminent. She would leave, and he would never see her again.
However, she had said she would only visit.
Visit.
It did not matter if it was simply delaying the inevitable. He was happy that he still had time before he had to watch her leave his home, never to return.
In that time, he would do well to treasure what precious few moments they still might share.
If only there was a way that he could make her stay in Dunham forever…
Of course, there is, a voice whispered in his head.
He knew immediately what it meant, but it was something he would not consider.
He simply could not.
When next morning came, he rose from his bed, tired, having barely gotten any sleep.
Upon looking out of his window, he found her by the stables, laughing with Roy and other stable hands, as they harnessed the horses to the carriage.
A few days.
Yet they seemed an eternity to be without her smile, her lovely laughter, and those green eyes that pierced his soul.
A few days.
He shook his head.
He would not last a few days.
Just then, a thought occurred to him.
His lips stretched into a grin and, for the first time since Lady Judith had announced her wish to travel the day before, he felt at ease.
He knew what he had to do. His decision was made.
Chapter 22
She wondered where he was.
All morning, Judith had kept an eye out for the duke, but he was nowhere to be found.
He wasn’t present at breakfast and, as they prepared the carriage for their departure, he kept his distance still.
She did not know what to think. The day before, she had watched him take charge of all that concerned them, making certain that everything was made ready for their trip.
It had made her wonder if he was simply eager to see her leave, or if he was just being helpful.
That morning, as they stood waiting for their valises to be loaded onto the carriage, she wa
s uncertain it was either.
Would he not even say goodbye?
It could not be that he was sad to see her go, could it?
Truth be told, as happy as she was at the thought of seeing her favorite aunt again, the few days she planned to spend at Earlshire were beginning to feel like too much.
She had barely caught a wink of sleep all night, thinking of how she would fare without seeing the duke.
It was laughable when one considered that during her first weeks in Dunham, she had barely caught a glimpse of him.
Yet somehow, he had become so much a part of her day that a few spent without him seemed like a lifetime without sunshine.
It made her realize that it would be more difficult to say goodbye than she had reckoned.
It would be almost impossible.
For the umpteenth time that morning, she caught herself looking over her shoulder hoping to see him.
“I’m sure he’s going to be here any moment now, my lady. I do not think he would let you leave without bidding you farewell,” Amy said, pulling her out of her thoughts.
Judith turned to her maid, surprised. She had tried to be discreet, hoping no one would realize what she was thinking. It would appear very little went past Amy unnoticed.
“Hm? Whatever are you talking about, Amy?” she asked, feigning ignorance in a bid to salvage her pride.
Amy stopped what she was doing to stare at her mistress, her gaze meaningful, but Judith made a point to avoid it.
“Hmmm. Pay me no heed, my lady. I was simply thinking aloud,” she said, finally looking away.
“Oh? You should be more careful with your thoughts, in that case,” Judith replied, sweetly.
“Of course … my lady.”
The last of their valises was put into the carriage, and the coachman announced they were ready to leave.
The urge to take one last look over her shoulder overwhelmed Judith, but she resisted it.
There was no need. If he wanted to see her, if he wanted to say goodbye, he would have come to her already.
She turned to Mr. Beauregard.
“We shall be on our way, then. Thank you very much for all your help. I would thank His Grace myself, but I see he is…”
She did not finish her sentence. At that very moment, a voice rang out.
“Right here. He is right here.”
Judith’s eyes widened as his words filled her ears. Slowly, she turned to see him walking towards her. The footman was in tow, bearing a valise.
She frowned, not wanting to believe that could mean what her mind was considering.
“Your Grace! I…”
Once again, he did not let her finish. “I am sorry I kept you waiting. I also apologize for missing breakfast. I was busy packing.”
Judith’s brow raised. She could not have heard aright, could she?
“Packing, you say?”
“Yes. You see, I am coming with you. I made the decision only this morning. You have been my guest for over a month now, my lady. I cannot help but feel responsible for you. I also cannot, in good conscience, let you and Miss Mitchell travel all alone. So, I am doing what is right—I do hope your aunt will not mind having one more guest to cater for.”
Judith could hardly take it in. She did not know how to feel. There was awe and surprise, wonder, and so many questions.
He was coming with them? Truly?
The moment lingered, yet words eluded her. She held his gaze, even as he would not stop looking at her with hopeful eyes, waiting for an answer.
“I … I do not know what to say,” she said eventually, finding her voice.
“Say you would like me to come. Although, if it would make you uncomfortable in any way, I will remain here. I should have told you sooner. I apologize,” he said.
It was then she came to the realization that she did not want him to stay behind. Oh no. She very much wanted him by her side.
The thought of not having to be away from him, even while she visited her aunt, suddenly made everything in her world right.
“I am sure she would be delighted, as am I!” she blurted, flushing immediately at the passion in her voice.
It appeared he had not been expecting that answer, for he seemed genuinely surprised.
“My lady, are you certain of it?”
She was absolutely certain.
“Of course. The more, the merrier.” She paused to clear her throat. “Aunt Tia will not mind; I am certain of that. She enjoys having company. In fact, I am quite confident she will be delighted to see you.”
His face dissolved into a grin. It was one that stole her breath away.
“So, it is settled.”
“That it is.”
“Let us not tarry any longer, then. The day grows old.”
He nodded at the footman, who immediately lifted his valise onto the carriage.
Then, he turned to Mr. Beauregard.
“Thomas, in the time that I am away, Dunham is in your care. I trust you entirely.”
Mr. Beauregard dipped into a bow. “I shall do my best, Your Grace.”
The duke gave his butler a fond pat on the shoulder.
“Of that, I have no doubt, Thomas. None at all.”
Judith watched as Mr. Beauregard straightened and the two men exchanged a meaningful look.
She could not tell if the butler had known of his master’s spur of the moment decision, or if he was just as surprised as anyone else. If he was, he did not show it.
Their wordless conversation soon ended, and the duke turned to her.
“Shall we?”
She glanced at Mr. Beauregard and bowed her head in acknowledgement. He did the same. Then, she returned her gaze to the duke and nodded.
They had to leave soon if they hoped to make it to Earlshire before nightfall.
“After you, my lady,” he said as he held out his hand.
She took it, and he helped her into the carriage. When she had settled in, he helped Amy up.
Then, he climbed in himself and sat opposite Judith, facing her and Amy.
As the doors closed, the duke gave three knocks, and the carriage began to move.
As the wheels rolled, taking them out of Dunham and toward Earlshire, Judith found herself reliving the events of the last few minutes in her mind.
She still could not quite believe it.
The duke was in the same carriage as her, escorting her to her aunt’s.
More than anything, she did not know what to make of it. However, beyond the confusion and uncertainty, there was delight.
Much delight.
***
They arrived at Earlshire just as the sun was starting to set. It was easy to find the Witherspoon estate.
As they reached the gates, Judith found they were expected and they were immediately admitted.
The carriage finally rolled to a stop just outside the beautiful manor that was her aunt’s second home.
The duke was the first to get out, before helping the ladies down.
Aunt Tia was waiting outside, with a smile so warm and genuine, Judith realized then how much she had missed it.
“Goodness!” Aunt Tia chimed, coming to Judith as soon as her feet touched the ground, arms wide waiting for an embrace.
“Would you look at you! You have grown even taller since the last time we met!”
Judith stepped into her arms, chuckling. The joy she felt suffused her. It was certainly wonderful to see her precious aunt again.
“Aunty, I have missed you very much.”
“Not half as much as I have missed you!” Aunt Tia chimed, holding on to her tightly. “I am so happy you are finally here safely. I have waited all day for you, counting the hours until I saw you again.”
They remained in the warm embrace for a while longer before pulling away from each other. Still, Aunt Tia’s hands would not leave hers.
She reached for Judith’s face, her pleasure evident.
“By heavens, you have become a woman!
Oh, Judith, I am so very happy to finally see you. How are you? Have you been well? Did you take ill? I hope you have been eating well? Yes, you look healthy, very much so. You have been well taken care of, my child, this much I can see. I am pleased.”
