to continue your travels. I do not think it is safe just yet. Many roads have been destroyed by the storm and must now be rebuilt. Until then, not many people will be traveling. Certainly not you and your maid. Good day, my lady.”
Then, smartly turning his back to her, he marched off toward the house.
Judith heaved a sigh of relief, glad that the misfortune had been averted.
She approached Roy Benson, who was pale, her eyes filled with remorse. Before she could speak, he held up a hand.
“Please, my lady, say nothing. What troubles His Grace’s and makes him act so is far beyond our knowing. He simply acted in good faith and with good reason. You mustn’t blame yourself.”
More riddles, Judith thought. Well, no matter. Calamity was averted.
“You are a good man, Mr. Benson. Even now, you remain faithful and kind to your master.”
Roy shook his head sadly. “His Grace has suffered greatly. Kindness is the very least he deserves.”
Judith nodded, even though she did not entirely understand.
“Bless your soul, Mr. Benson. I suppose I shall be seeing you, and Enora, again very soon.”
“Thankfully, you shall. And my lady? Please, do call me Roy.”
She smiled then, returning his. “It was lovely meeting you, Roy.”
His smile widened into a grin. “The pleasure is all mine, my lady, I assure you.”
She left the stables then, and, when she stepped into the house, she found Amy, looking curiously subdued.
“Ah. The maid finally returns to her lady’s side,” Judith teased as she stopped beside her.
“Forgive me, my lady. I didn’t realize so much time had gone by.”
As remorseful as Amy tried to sound, Judith could see that she was fighting a smile.
Shaking her head, she chuckled and nudged her.
“Come now, let it all out.”
Amy broke into soft laughter, and Judith found herself doing the same, soon forgetting about the strange incident at the stables.
Chapter 13
He remained restless through the rest of that evening.
After he had all but stormed out of the stables, following his outburst, he had returned to his chamber. There, he had thought of what had happened over again and realized his foolishness. He had acted and spoken out of turn.
He had almost lost a loyal and good member of his staff. What was more, he had frightened his guest; the one he was meant to be giving refuge and protection to.
He tried to tell himself he could not be blamed. His demons had caught up with him and temporarily rid him of his reason. From the window in the hallway, he had seen someone ride into out into the fields.
He had instantly been alarmed, his mental pain returning to overwhelm him. Quickly, he had gone to the stables, wanting to know the identity of the rider.
Even though in his heart he guessed who it must be, he had refused to believe it.
Until Roy had told him. He had been livid! He would have gone after her himself if he had not been too taken up with scolding Roy for his carelessness.
He had thought of a thousand ways in which things could go wrong. All of them had left him reliving the darkness that haunted him still.
He had simply been afraid. For her, for himself. She had already lost someone, in the worst possible way. She should have known better he had told himself.
Then she had returned. He had not realized how fearsome he must have appeared to her. Not until he heard the tremble in her voice as she spoke to him.
Yet, even after the realization, what had he done?
He heaved a sigh.
It would not do to sit in his chamber and wallow in self-recriminations. He must seek her out; he must apologize.
At dinner, he decided. He would beg her forgiveness at dinner.
***
Judith was surprised to find the duke sitting at the head of the table when she and Amy arrived at the dining hall for dinner that night.
Mr. Beauregard had given her no warning, so she certainly had not been expecting to see him there.
She tried to catch the butler’s eye, but he would not look at her. Of course, he knew what had transpired.
As soon as they reached the table, the duke rose to his feet and proceeded to help pull out their chairs.
“My lady,” he greeted her.
Even more astonished by his pleasant behavior, she answered simply, “Your Grace.”
She muttered her thanks as she settled into her seat. When he pushed her chair in, she tingled all over from his proximity.
Earlier that evening, she had been so worried