am afraid, I cannot find it in myself to deny you this happiness. If it is what you truly want, then you may leave as soon as you desire.”
Judith’s eyes grew wide. She could scarcely believe her ears. Yes, it was all she had hoped for, but to actually have obtained it…
Her father continued, “I shall have a carriage prepared and a trusted coachman to bear you to the North. I only ask that you take great care and write to me if you encounter any trouble. You must promise me this.”
“I promise, Father. You have my word!” she said quickly.
The joy she had felt earlier, when Amy had agreed to come along, multiplied. Before she knew it, she was laughing. Her happiness was so great, it had spilled forth from her heart.
For months, this was all she had dreamed of. Finally, she would get to live her dream.
Reaching across the table, she took her father’s hand in hers and kissed it.
“You have made me so happy, Father! I shall not take this for granted. Thank you so much. Thank you!”
Her father wrestled with his smile but ended up chuckling.
“Seeing that it brings you such joy, I am less apprehensive of having made the wrong decision.”
“Do not worry your head about it, Ethan,” her mother said. “I shall pray day and night that she reaches Tia’s safely and returns to us, just as safe and sound.” Shifting her chair behind, she rose to her feet.
“Come now, we must write a letter to Tia, letting her know you shall be visiting for a while. She will be happy to have you, I’m certain. You have always been her favorite niece, and she often complains about how terribly lonely it can be up north.”
It was all happening so fast that Judith remained somewhat awestruck.
Still, as she rose to go after her mother, she knew that what truly was important was the fact it was happening.
Finally.
Chapter 3
Two days later, while the baroness’s letter was well on its way to her sister, Judith and Amy stood in her chamber, packing for the journey.
“I cannot believe we are actually going,” she said.
She had expected that, with time, her awe would lessen, but the opposite was true: Whenever she thought of all they might encounter, she grew excited all over again.
Judith knew Aunt Tia well, for she often visited Charleveaux. Just as Tia considered Judith her favorite niece, her aunt, too, held a special place in Judith’s heart. It was why Judith had chosen to go to her, instead of all the other aunts and uncles she could have visited.
Aunt Tia was something of an eccentric. In her youth, she had defied the rules of society and toured the world dressed as a man for years. Afterwards, she had returned home and finally decided to marry.
Unfortunately, she hadn’t been blessed with children. For that reason, she held her siblings’ children dear to her heart. Judith knew she would be received with joy.
She also knew that Aunt Tia would grant her permission to explore as she wished. She could not wait to experience the new life that awaited her beyond the walls of Charleveaux.
“I cannot believe it either. My mother and sisters were sad to see me leave this morning. I shall miss them very much,” Amy replied.
Judith’s mood dampened. Amy was very close with her family and had never had to be so far away from them. She wished she could release her from the word she had given but she could not bring herself to.
Without Amy, she wouldn’t be allowed to go. Without Amy, she would be helpless. How would she survive on the road for four days without her maid?
“I am sorry to take you away from them, Amy. Truly, I am. If there was another way, I would have chosen it.”
“It’s fine, my lady. Like you, I cannot remain in Charleveaux all my life. This is my chance to experience something new, and I shall take it. Who knows what I, too, might find?”
When Amy smiled at her brightly, Judith felt relief wash over her.
“Now, that is the spirit. I’m so glad you’re choosing to look at the bright side, Amy.” She paused to look around them. “I think this is the last valise. We are all set.”
Amy too looked around the large chamber. “It would appear so, my lady.”
“Very well then, shall we?” Judith asked, lifting the smallest of the valises into her hands. She had packed three.
Amy nodded, lifting the other