Caught in the Storm of a Duke's - Abby Ayles Page 0,70
so encouraged, Aunt Tia. The man you confessed your feelings to ended up marrying another.”
Aunt Tia seemed to give it some thought.
“Hmm. True. Well then, perhaps, you should not say a word. Simply keep your heart open and experience this feeling at its fullest.” She reached out to cup Judith’s chin.
“The time will come when you will have to make a decision. Then, you will know what you must do. Let your heart guide you.”
As soon as Aunt Tia finished speaking, the butler arrived to announce that Stephen was ready to leave.
Immediately Judith rose to her feet. Amy was waiting by the door when they stepped out and together, they went down to the carriage.
As soon as Judith’s eyes fell upon Stephen, her body tingled, her skin hummed.
She turned to Aunt Tia. Her words still rang in Judith’s head.
In no time, they had loaded their valises on the carriage and one by one, they said their goodbyes.
Judith was the last to embrace her aunt. As they remained locked in each other’s arms, Aunt Tia whispered in her ear.
“Remember what we have discussed, my dear. There are so many things that require us to be brave in this life. Love is the most demanding of all. Yet, you must find courage and take a leap of faith, for to live without it is to not live at all.”
They pulled away then, and Judith had to struggle to hold back the tears that filled her eyes.
The past days had been entirely wonderful. She had known she wanted to see Aunt Tia but she had not realized quite how much.
“I love you, Aunty. You are an angel.”
Aunt Tia smiled as she reached to catch a tear that broke free, wiping it away.
Her fingers stroked Judith’s cheeks tenderly.
“You are my angel, and I love you with all my heart.”
With Stephen’s help, Judith climbed onto the carriage. Amy followed, and Stephen finally joined them.
As the door closed, she heard her aunt call out. “Journey safely! May the heavens be with you!”
The wheels began to roll, taking them back to Dunham.
Judith’s eyes fluttered to Stephen, and she breathed in relief when she found him looking out of the window.
It would have been embarrassing to be caught stealing glances again.
She smiled as she remembered all the other times she had been caught before, and all the times she had been the one to do the catching.
Aunt Tia’s words echoed in her head still.
Indeed, she did not know what the future held, but she had decided that no matter what, she would have courage; she would dare.
It was a solemn promise.
Chapter 26
They arrived at Dunham before sunset.
It was clear the entire household was happy to have them back. They were well received by everyone.
The servants attended to their every need, Sarah treated them to a sumptuous supper, and even Mr. Beauregard had a smile for Judith and Amy.
As much as she had enjoyed her stay at her aunt’s manor, Judith could not deny she was happy to be back home.
Home.
Once upon a time, Charleveaux had been the only place she considered that way. It was no longer so.
The days continued to pass and, as they did, everyone returned to their daily routines. However, there were a few changes.
Stephen began to ride out to the village to meet with his people, and once or twice he hosted a dinner for the lords in his duchy.
Each time, Judith had had every intention of making herself scarce, but he requested her presence, saying it would be an honor to have her by his side.
He introduced her easily as his guest and gave no further explanation concerning how she came to live in his home.
She had watched the lords busy themselves with speculations, curiosity filling their eyes, but Stephen did not seem to care what they thought, so she learned not to either.
As he became more serious with handling estate affairs, getting busier by the day, they grew even closer.
He always found time to spend with her, and Judith found herself falling more and more in love with him.
She was happier than she had ever been.
Alas, there were times when she felt a dark cloud looming, a fear that something was going to happen to snatch this happiness away from her.
Nevertheless, she continued to bask in the bliss, trudging onward, choosing to remain courageous.
Stephen never spoke anything of love to her, and though on many occasions the words were on the tip of her tongue, she said nothing of it either.