by Abby Ayles
Once again, they thanked her profusely. She remained gracious. With a wave and a final goodbye, she turned and returned to her home.
Stephen and Judith watched until she had entered her cottage before they continued their journey to the inn.
“I do believe she is the strangest person I have ever met…” Judith said as they walked.
Stephen nodded. “I feel the same. Strange and utterly gracious. I think that, just as you were meant to find Dunham, she was meant to find us.”
Judith’s lips lifted at their corners, “You know, that is quite a possibility. Perhaps the universe is truly working in our favor.”
It was something to think about. Sighing, Stephen replied, “Perhaps.”
***
They arrived in Charleveaux the next day, at two in the afternoon.
All of Judith’s family were outside, having seen the carriage approaching. Her father, her mother, Edward, his wife, and their child. As soon as Judith got out of the carriage, she ran to them, forgetting all manner of propriety.
It was such an emotional moment. She jumped into her brother’s arms and he caught her as though he had been doing it his entire life.
They held onto each other tightly for a long time before breaking apart and as they did, she went on to embrace every other member just as tightly.
The love they shared was as clear as day. The joy and relief at finally seeing each other again was just as evident.
Seeing them that way touched Stephen deeply and for a moment, he felt sadness, remembering the family he had lost. He had been close to his parents, too.
When they had finished embracing, she turned to him and waved him over.
He did not waste any time approaching them. As he did so, he willed his heart to be still and prepared for whatever was to come.
He finally reached them and drew to a stop.
Judith was quick to commence the introductions.
“Father, Mother, Edward, Rachel, and little Nathaniel, you must meet the Duke of Sawbrook, Stephen Dunham. I have been at his estate in Nordame all this time. I am here, alive, safe and sound, because of him.”
She paused to breathe after rushing those words. Then, she turned to him.
“Stephen, meet my family. My father, Baron Davenforth, Robert Brewen.”
Stephen lowered his head in a bow, struggling hard to maintain a calm demeanor even as his heart thumped in his chest.
“It is an honor to finally meet you, my lord. Lady Judith has told me much about you.”
He raised his head in time to catch the baron nodding. “Likewise. She would always speak of you in her letters. When she said you would be visiting with her, I was glad that we would finally get the chance to thank you appropriately for taking care of our Judith.”
Stephen slowly began to breathe easily. The baron seemed an amiable man. He had just crossed the first bridge.
“And my mother, Baroness Davenforth, Victoria Brewen,” Judith chimed.
Stephen smiled as he stepped in front of Lady Brewen. Judith might have taken after her aunty in character, but she had inherited her mother’s beauty. She was evidently a child of both her parents.
“My lady, now I understand where Lady Judith gets her beauty. It is an utmost pleasure to finally make acquaintance. Your daughter has spoken very highly of you,” he said as he bowed.
They must have been the right words for when he straightened, the baroness was beaming from ear to ear, apparently pleased.
“Oh, believe me, the pleasure is ours. As we have told Judith countless times, we are in your debt, Your Grace. You have no inkling how thrilled I am that you have chosen to honor us with your presence.” She glanced at Judith. “It certainly is wonderful to know that my dearest daughter has not forgotten me despite being far from home.”
They all chuckled, recognizing the teasing note in her voice.
Stephen breathed even easier as he stepped in front of Edward. Another hurdle had been crossed.
“My brother, Edward Brewen.”.
The young Mr. Brewen extended his hand for a handshake before Stephen could do anything.
Stephen was both surprised and pleased. He took Edward’s hands and shook firmly.
“You must let me buy you drinks before you leave London. It is an honor to meet you, Your Grace.”
Between his smile and his words, it was easy for Stephen to tell that they would be very good friends.
“I would very much like that. I consider the honor mine, Mr. Brewen.”
“Please, you must call me Edward. After all you did for dearest Judith, you’ve become family.”
At that point, Stephen began to feel he had worried in vain. Judith’s family were as welcoming as Aunt Tia had been. He could see that they already had a good first impression of him.
Perhaps, it would not be so difficult to get their permission to marry their Judith.
“Only if you call me Stephen.”
They shook hands again. “You have yourself a pact,” Edward said grinning.
As Stephen went to Edward’s wife, he found himself grinning as well.
Rachel Brewen was the sweetest soul he had ever met. She was lovely, awfully shy, and full of warmth.
She held out baby Nathaniel to him, and Stephen had to fight the tightening in his chest as he peered down at the little bundle of joy.
He, too, would have had a precious one like their son.
“See, he’s smiling. He must like you. He’s usually peevish around strangers.”
“Is he now? Well, I must have him know I like him just as much, even more. That is a dashing young man you have, Mrs. Brewen,” he said as he pulled away.
She smiled up at him, her perfect teeth dazzling.
“Thank you, Your Grace. Welcome to Charleveaux. We hope you enjoy your time here.”
Stephen gave it a thought, as he looked at all their faces.
“I believe I will. Thank you all for the warm welcome.”
The baroness laughed.
“Warm welcome? We are yet to begin. These were just pleasantries, Your Grace. If you would come with me, a feast awaits us.”
The baroness turned and began to go into the house, and they all followed her lead.
“I told you there was nothing to worry about,” Judith whispered in his ear.
Before he could respond, she quickened her pace, falling in step with her brother and sister-in-law, so she could moon over her nephew.
Stephen stared at them, wondering if it would be asking for too much to hope that he and Judith would someday hold their own little one in their arms.
Nevertheless, he hoped, sending a prayer to the heavens.
Chapter 36
Stephen was eager to speak with Lord Davenforth and make his intention known but it was apparent that he would have to wait for some time to do so.
He waited all afternoon, all evening, and the morning of the next day. Finally, the perfect moment came as they finished lunch.
As the Baron rose, he did too. Ever so respectfully, he said, “Lord Davenforth, if I would not be taking you away from anything, I would be grateful if I could have a word with you.”
As those words left his lips, the dining room suddenly went quiet.
Looks were exchanged, and he knew they were aware of what was about to happen. He hoped they would not think it too sudden. He needed to make Judith his wife as soon as possible.
Lord Davenforth took his time before responding. He cleared his throat, finally speaking.
“A word you say? Certainly. Come, we will speak in my study.”
Stephen was glad.
As he turned, he found Judith’s eyes and held them. They were reassuring, strengthening. He took every bit she offered, aware that he would be needing it.
In no time, they were in the baron’s study. He closed the doors behind them and led Stephen to the sofas that graced one end of the room.
“Please, sit. Do you care for a brandy?”
Stephen had
not tasted any in years, but he could not bring himself to refuse, so he nodded.
“Yes, thank you.”
It was the right answer. “Wonderful! I’ll bring some.”
By the time he returned with the drink, Stephen was seated, anxious, with sweaty palms.
He had taken a cup of his tea that morning but found himself wondering if he should have taken another before having this discussion.
He had only done this once before, and he had not been so nervous then.
His stomach would not stop churning, there was a chill in his spine, and his heart … his heart was being erratic.
Stephen prayed that he would make it through to the end of the conversation this without suffering a seizure.
“Here…” the baron said, holding out the glass.
Stephen accepted it, muttering his thanks. He surprised himself when he immediately took a long sip. Thankfully, he felt better, less taken by his nerves.
If the baron suspected anything, he did not let it show.
“You wished to have a word with me?” he asked.
Stephen nodded hurriedly. “I did … I do.”
“Please, go ahead. We are in a safe place now. These walls do not have ears, I assure you.”
Stephen smiled, grateful that Lord Davenforth had tried to make him feel better by jesting.
“That is comforting to know.”
The baron took a healthy sip of his own drink. “I thought it would be,” he said as he lowered his glass. “So, what is this about?”
This is it.
Drawing in a deep breath, he found the strength Judith had given him and held onto it.
“It is about your daughter, Lady Judith.”
Lord Brewen’s brow raised. “I see. Is something the matter?”
Stephen was quick to answer. “No. Not at all. I … I simply want to ask for your blessings.”
“My blessings? Whatever for?”
“To marry Lady Judith,” he blurted, finally.
The baron did not seem surprised by his announcement at all. In fact, he smiled, as though he had been expecting it.
“I see. I am well aware that she stayed in your home for a long time. You would not have happened to dishonor her, would you?”
Stephen’s eyes bulged. “My Lord! Absolutely not! I am a man of honor, and I respect your daughter too much to ever do such a thing.”
The baron’s smile grew even wider. Stephen suspected he was being awfully teased.
“Is that so? Well, if that is the case, shall I believe you wish to marry my daughter because you care for her, not because you feel responsible, or the need to do right by her?”
“I love Judith. With all my heart. For so long, I fought against my feelings, denying them, but they could not be helped. I never want to spend another moment without her. This is the reason why I want her as my wife. It would be the greatest honor.”
Lord Davenforth’s smile vanished then. He suddenly grew serious.
Stephen became afraid again. There was a moment of silence. It was the longest of Stephen’s life.
Finally, the Baron spoke. “I had hoped that was the case, but I had to be certain. When she wrote to us, saying she had news and you would be returning with her to London, we guessed it. I have been watching you two since you arrived. The way you look at each other, unconsciously trying to find each other even in the smallest gathering. I have never seen her so happy; she is radiant. I know that I have her time in Dunham and you to thank for that.”
He sat up in his seat. Stephen remained anxious.
“You took her in and cared for her when she needed it the most. I would be an ungrateful man to lose sight of this. Nevertheless, you must understand that as a father, it is only right that I want the best for my daughter. Judith is young still, yet to debut even. We are in no hurry to marry her off.”
Stephen nodded. “I do understand, sir.”
“I asked about you,” Lord Davenforth continued. “When I received her first letter. I needed to know what kind of man you were. I learned … things. After you visited Tia, she wrote to her sister, telling her what a charming man you were and how you are entirely besotted with Judith. So, I grew even more curious, I asked more questions … deeper questions and I have continued to ask. I had a long talk with Judith last night. She told me many things, confirming some of what I had learned and dismissing others.”
Stephen’s heart broke. It was certainly over now. Her parents knew everything. Of course, they would never give him their blessings.
He would not give up though. He had vowed he would not.
“You have my respect, from one man to another. Losing your family that way could not have been easy. I cannot imagine what I would do if I lost Victoria, or any of my children, they are my world. I look at you and I see a man who has fought a hard fight and won. As a father, I could think of no man better for my daughter. So yes, you have my blessings, Dunham. Judith loves you, that much I know. Seeing as you love her as well, and already know how to care for her, I see no reason to object. I would have you know that I speak for my wife, my son, and I, when I say, we consider you a part of the family already.”
Stephen could not believe his ears. Was this really happening? He could not have heard the words aright, could he?
His jaw dropped and his mouth fell open. Thankfully, he quickly caught himself.
“I … I don’t know what to say.”
“Say that you shall cherish her all your days.”
“I will! I swear it! Goodness! Thank you so much, thank you!”
His chest felt like it would explode from too much joy. It was as though he was floating on air.
The conversation he had dreaded for so many days had finally happened, and he had received nothing but acceptance.
He would never forget this day, this moment. He knew he would hold it in his heart forever.
“Thank you too. For all you have done. I presume you will want to have the wedding soon, before returning to Dunham?”
Stephen bobbed his head. “I would love to return with Judith as my wife. I am willing to bear any responsibility that is required of me from here onward.”
It was obvious the baron was pleased with this response.
“I am glad to hear that. Well, if that is all you wish to say, I believe you are free to take your leave.”
Stephen rose to his feet then and dipped in a bow.
“I do not take this lightly, Lord Davenforth. I promise you will never have to regret this decision.”
When he straightened, the baron held his gaze.
“See to it that I don’t.”
It was a firm warning, one that Stephen would always carry with him.
Nodding, he expressed his gratitude once again and took his leave.
He almost waltzed all the way to Judith.
***
Later that evening, Stephen played the pianoforte for the entire household.
As Judith watched him, she was filled with such pride that she felt her chest swell.
It had been a blessed day, but it was an even lovelier evening. The news of her parent’s blessings had made her very happy. She had spent every moment with Stephen, basking in the joy and bliss that came with knowing they had an entire life to spend together.
Nothing could be compared to the feeling. Nothing at all.
They had also talked about their wedding. Stephen had made it clear that he was committed to giving Judith her fairytale wedding, whatever would make her happy.
It had been music to her ears.
She looked at him, in all his majestic wonder and she knew she could never love another. Ever. He was the only one for her.
Finally, the song ended. They all stood to give him a well-deserved ovation. He too rose, bowing in that regal way that spoke of the power and status he had, despite his humility.
She went to him then, unable to watch from the crowd, any longer.
“I do not think I have ever heard you play so b
eautifully, and you always play beautifully,” she said as she reached his side.
He smiled down at her. “I believe special times require special deeds.”
“Hmm … I certainly agree. It really is a special evening.”
