your journey comfortable will also be provided.”
This warmed her heart. “How can I ever thank you enough? My parents and Aunt Tia send their profound gratitude. They believe they are in your debt.”
His gaze held her eyes as he replied, his filled with meaning. “I have gained more than I ever dreamed possible. There was never a debt and, even if there were, it has been paid in full and beyond. Your family need only know what goodness your presence here in Dunham has brought to us all.”
Judith would ask what goodness exactly, but somehow, she knew that time would come later.
Her eyes brimmed with tears again, and, this time, he gently cupped her cheek.
“No, Lady Judith. No more tears. Only happiness. Yes?”
They were tears of joy. Nonetheless, it was starting to get embarrassing, crying in his presence, with all the servants there to see.
So, she wiped her face once again and nodded, smiling.
“Yes.”
***
That afternoon was filled with preparations for Lady Judith’s journey the next day.
Stephen oversaw the arrangements, making certain that everything was well organized. He had the newest carriage brought round, strong and sturdy, and chose the best horses to lead.
He handpicked the best of his coachmen, and he watched the weather like a hawk.
He refused to take chances, not this time. So, he remained busy throughout the whole afternoon and evening.
As night came, and he retired to his chambers, all the thoughts he had managed to keep at bay, immersing himself in all that needed to be done, suddenly hit him in waves.
He had done all he could to ascertain that she would have a safe trip. All that was left was pray that this time, fate would be kind to him.
Still, he could not bring himself to stop worrying. His fears remained and, beyond them, thoughts of how much he would miss her plagued him.
He could not imagine being apart from her, even if only for a few days.
He had watched her as she read those letters, heart in his hand, as he wondered what words they contained, and what she would do with them.
When he had seen her cry, he had felt something he could not quite explain. Knowing they were tears of joy had helped only a little.
He had wanted to draw her into his arms, hold her tight and whisper sweet words of comfort into her ears. He had wanted to cradle her head against his chest, patting her beautiful golden hair until she cried no more.
Alas, it was not his place and they had an audience. So, even when it had been so difficult to keep his arms to himself and sit still, he had done so.
When she announced that her aunt was in Sawbrook, his heart had dropped. He had known then that losing her was imminent. She would leave, and he would never see her again.
However, she had said she would only visit.
Visit.
It did not matter if it was simply delaying the inevitable. He was happy that he still had time before he had to watch her leave his home, never to return.
In that time, he would do well to treasure what precious few moments they still might share.
If only there was a way that he could make her stay in Dunham forever…
Of course, there is, a voice whispered in his head.
He knew immediately what it meant, but it was something he would not consider.
He simply could not.
When next morning came, he rose from his bed, tired, having barely gotten any sleep.
Upon looking out of his window, he found her by the stables, laughing with Roy and other stable hands, as they harnessed the horses to the carriage.
A few days.
Yet they seemed an eternity to be without her smile, her lovely laughter, and those green eyes that pierced his soul.
A few days.
He shook his head.
He would not last a few days.
Just then, a thought occurred to him.
His lips stretched into a grin and, for the first time since Lady Judith had announced her wish to travel the day before, he felt at ease.
He knew what he had to do. His decision was made.
Chapter 22
She wondered where he was.
All morning, Judith had kept an eye out for the duke, but he was nowhere to be found.
He wasn’t present at breakfast and, as they prepared the carriage for their departure, he kept his distance still.
She did not know what to think. The day before, she had watched him take charge of all that concerned them, making certain that everything was made ready