Caught in the Storm of a Duke's - Abby Ayles Page 0,100

me.”

“It is you who honor me, Mrs. Giraud. The heavens bless you.”

Mrs. Giraud was quick to respond. “The heavens bless you too…” she smiled at Stephen. “And yours.”

Judith saw the sadness in her eyes and immediately felt gloomy.

“I wish Mr. Giraud was here,” she said solemnly.

“I also, but you mustn’t blame yourself any longer, Your Grace. I will always miss him, but this sorrow is not for you to bear. I told you this before, I forgive you. Beyond that, I will give you this gift. I release you. From your guilt and your blame. In truth, my husband made his decision. Yes, you might have insisted and offered to pay him more, but he could still have declined. He didn’t and I understand why he didn’t. He wanted a better life for his family, for us.”

She paused as her voice broke. “It’s a pity that his dream has come true, but he is not here to see it. Your Grace, very few men would do all that you and your family have done for mine. You could have lied, covering the truth of what really happened, but you did not. You have also taken responsibility for us, and you have become a friend. We are ever grateful. So please, live full and free, without guilt or remorse. Promise me.”

Judith cried for the umpteenth time that day. It was such an emotional one.

“I will,” she swore. “I will.”

Mrs. Giraud smiled. “Good. I shall do the same.”

It was such a powerful moment for Judith, and she tucked the memory away, along with all others she wished to never forget.

They greeted a few more guests and, when they were done, Stephen led her to the dance floor.

Arms wrapped around each other, they began their first dance as man and wife.

“It’s a perfect day,” he whispered in her ears.

“It is,” she agreed.

“Remember what you told me at the stream that evening?”

“What?”

“You said to only feel joy from there on. No more pain or sadness, only joy and love. Do you remember?”

How could she not? “Yes.”

“Then let us, my love. Let us do that.”

Judith bobbed her head, understanding his meaning.

“We shall. Forever.”

They remained that way, her head against his chest, his arms around their waist, dancing into the night.

They did not need to be in Dunham. Right there, with each other, was home.

Epilogue

Two months Later

“If you keep stealing glances, you’re never going to finish reading that book.”

Stephen lifted his shoulder in a shrug. “We have time. I’ll finish it someday.”

“I’m not going away either, you could always steal glances some other time,” Judith replied.

He shook his head. “You do not know how impossible that is to do when you are sitting right there in front of me. You distract me, my wonderful wife.”

They were in the library. Going there three times, every week had become one of their rituals. Reading together was just one more activity they thoroughly enjoyed.

“Only because you wish to be distracted, dear husband,” she countered, smiling sweetly.

“I cannot deny that. You are so beautiful. I know it has been sometime, but I still cannot quite believe you are mine.”

It was the truth. He woke up feeling wonderful every day. If anyone had ever told him after he had lost Abigail that he would ever feel such happiness again, he never would have paid them heed.

“As I said, we’ have time. Enough to accept that we are and always will be happy together. I am yours, my love.”

She cupped his chin then, and he took that hand in his, kissing her inner wrist.

“And I am yours.”

He held her eyes as he said those words, and a delicious tremor ran down his spine when her eyes began to twinkle mischievously.

“Let us make a wager.”

“A wager? You wish to gamble, dear wife?”

“Call it what you may,” she said sweetly. “Only hear what I am proposing.”

“Very well, you have my attention.”

“Whoever finishes reading the book first, may request whatever they wish from the other person. This request must be granted, no matter what it is.”

“Is this a ploy to get me to stop looking at my own wife? I will have you know that I can both steal glances and finish reading the book before you.”

She scrunched her face. “The husband doth protest too much, methinks. Do you agree? If you do not, I take it you accept defeat by surrendering.”

Stephen shook his head as a smile stole across his face. This was one of the many reasons he loved her. How she always