thrilling to see. She could not resist encouraging it.
“Anything?” she asked coyly.
He nodded. “You have my word.”
“Then I shall ask for the cook.”
His eyes widened. “I have just said…”
“Yes, you said I could ask for anything other than Sarah. I am not asking for Sarah, I am asking for the cook,” she ended with emphasis.
As he realized her meaning, his head fell back and glorious, wondrous laughter spilled from his lips.
Judith froze, as did everyone else in the room. It was not difficult to tell that this was the first time they had heard their master laugh in a very long while.
He seemed to be oblivious to this fact. By the time he recovered, the lot of them appeared to be still in shock.
“You are very witty, my lady, that I must say. My goodness. Very well, the cook has been with me all my life. She has worked for this household since before I was born. She is family. You would not want to take her away from her family now, would you?”
Judith finally thawed.
Her lips stretched into a grin she could not help. She was filled with so much joy, merely from hearing him laugh so beautifully.
Yet, a part of her twisted with sadness. It was too wonderful a sound to have been kept buried for so long.
No more.
“Since you put it that way, I suppose it would be wicked for me to insist. Very well then, I shall ask her for some recipes. She would not deny me that, would she?”
The duke shook his head. “Sarah would deny no one anything that is in her power to give.”
“Bless her soul. Then it is settled.”
“Indeed,” he agreed.
Their gaze locked and held, and they remained that way for a long moment, seemingly forgetting the world around them as it faded to nothing.
How could she not have feelings for him?
Then she wondered why should be him. Now she knew.
It could only be him. He was special in every way. He called to her like no other.
Whatever place he had taken in her heart, it seemed, it had always been his to take. It had only been a matter of chance and time.
Perhaps, getting stranded in the middle of nowhere had not been a coincidence after all.
The rest of the world came rushing back as the servants began to move about, clearing the table.
Judith looked away first, her cheeks growing warm at the thought that everyone had seen them gazing at each other.
How much more could one embarrass herself in one night?
Just then, the duke spoke, pulling her out of her thoughts.
“It’s bright out tonight, my lady. The stars are shining in splendor and the moon is in its full glory. A lovely night for a walk, would you not say?”
Judith did not know what the skies looked like. However, if he said they were beautiful, then she would certainly love to see them.
She understood this meant more time in his presence, and the thought pleased her.
Only a moment ago, she had been thankful for dinner’s end. She found she was no longer eager to have the night end so soon.
Not after she had heard him laugh.
“Are you asking me to walk with you, Your Grace?” she asked.
“Yes, I believe I am. What do you say? Will you honor me with your company?”
Her cheeks grew even warmer. He considered her company an honor. How could she ever refuse?
“I should be delighted.”
She could see his joy. It was evident, pure, pouring into his dark eyes, so that they gleamed.
The thought that she affected him so, that she had such power to cause him so many beautiful emotions shook her.
It both awed and humbled her.
He rose to his feet first and, as he did so, he held out his hand to her. She took it, rising easily.
Together, they walked out of the dining room, the house, and into the gardens.
Amy followed, remaining a few paces behind; close enough to fulfil her chaperone duties, yet far enough to not hear a word of their conversation.
Judith let a sigh slip as she looked up to the skies.
“You were right, Your Grace. It is a stunning sight.”
Though the hour was late, the night was filled with such light, it was as easy to see their way as though it was dawn.
“I am glad you like it. The evening air is just as charming,” he responded.
She took in a deep breath, letting the clean air wash over her.
“Yet again, you are right. It feels like centuries since