for their trip.
It had made her wonder if he was simply eager to see her leave, or if he was just being helpful.
That morning, as they stood waiting for their valises to be loaded onto the carriage, she was uncertain it was either.
Would he not even say goodbye?
It could not be that he was sad to see her go, could it?
Truth be told, as happy as she was at the thought of seeing her favorite aunt again, the few days she planned to spend at Earlshire were beginning to feel like too much.
She had barely caught a wink of sleep all night, thinking of how she would fare without seeing the duke.
It was laughable when one considered that during her first weeks in Dunham, she had barely caught a glimpse of him.
Yet somehow, he had become so much a part of her day that a few spent without him seemed like a lifetime without sunshine.
It made her realize that it would be more difficult to say goodbye than she had reckoned.
It would be almost impossible.
For the umpteenth time that morning, she caught herself looking over her shoulder hoping to see him.
“I’m sure he’s going to be here any moment now, my lady. I do not think he would let you leave without bidding you farewell,” Amy said, pulling her out of her thoughts.
Judith turned to her maid, surprised. She had tried to be discreet, hoping no one would realize what she was thinking. It would appear very little went past Amy unnoticed.
“Hm? Whatever are you talking about, Amy?” she asked, feigning ignorance in a bid to salvage her pride.
Amy stopped what she was doing to stare at her mistress, her gaze meaningful, but Judith made a point to avoid it.
“Hmmm. Pay me no heed, my lady. I was simply thinking aloud,” she said, finally looking away.
“Oh? You should be more careful with your thoughts, in that case,” Judith replied, sweetly.
“Of course … my lady.”
The last of their valises was put into the carriage, and the coachman announced they were ready to leave.
The urge to take one last look over her shoulder overwhelmed Judith, but she resisted it.
There was no need. If he wanted to see her, if he wanted to say goodbye, he would have come to her already.
She turned to Mr. Beauregard.
“We shall be on our way, then. Thank you very much for all your help. I would thank His Grace myself, but I see he is…”
She did not finish her sentence. At that very moment, a voice rang out.
“Right here. He is right here.”
Judith’s eyes widened as his words filled her ears. Slowly, she turned to see him walking towards her. The footman was in tow, bearing a valise.
She frowned, not wanting to believe that could mean what her mind was considering.
“Your Grace! I…”
Once again, he did not let her finish. “I am sorry I kept you waiting. I also apologize for missing breakfast. I was busy packing.”
Judith’s brow raised. She could not have heard aright, could she?
“Packing, you say?”
“Yes. You see, I am coming with you. I made the decision only this morning. You have been my guest for over a month now, my lady. I cannot help but feel responsible for you. I also cannot, in good conscience, let you and Miss Mitchell travel all alone. So, I am doing what is right—I do hope your aunt will not mind having one more guest to cater for.”
Judith could hardly take it in. She did not know how to feel. There was awe and surprise, wonder, and so many questions.
He was coming with them? Truly?
The moment lingered, yet words eluded her. She held his gaze, even as he would not stop looking at her with hopeful eyes, waiting for an answer.
“I … I do not know what to say,” she said eventually, finding her voice.
“Say you would like me to come. Although, if it would make you uncomfortable in any way, I will remain here. I should have told you sooner. I apologize,” he said.
It was then she came to the realization that she did not want him to stay behind. Oh no. She very much wanted him by her side.
The thought of not having to be away from him, even while she visited her aunt, suddenly made everything in her world right.
“I am sure she would be delighted, as am I!” she blurted, flushing immediately at the passion in her voice.
It appeared he had not been expecting that answer, for he seemed genuinely surprised.
“My lady, are