Caught in the Storm of a Duke's - Abby Ayles Page 0,72

him.

There were also trunks in the chamber. She did not try to open them. She decided they probably contained the late duchess’ belongings.

Being in the room alone felt too much like trespassing. She would go no further.

Her heart sighed as her eyes strayed to the window. There was a pot with fresh flowers in it. The flowers Stephen had taken from his servant.

Everything suddenly became clear. He came here daily to change the flowers and pay his respects.

Suddenly overwhelmed by a myriad of emotions she could not fathom, she decided it was time to leave.

With hurried steps, she walked out of the chamber. As soon as she shut the door behind her, she lost her grip and the tears poured out.

She fell to the floor and wept bitterly.

She wept for the late duchess and for the child who never got to breathe air. She wept for Stephen and the pain he must have endured.

She wept for Dunham, for the darkness and sorrow that had plagued the estate for too long.

She wept for Mr. Giraud and for herself. For knowing the sadness that came with death; the anguish that came with seeing a man breathe his last.

She did not know how long she remained there, but by the time she recovered, the skies had begun to darken.

Slowly, she rose to her feet and found her way to her chamber. She remained there all evening, refusing to see anyone, or even to go down for dinner.

Finally, the wiles of sleep took her under.

It was a dreamless one.

Chapter 27

Judith made a point to avoid Stephen for the next two days, unable to bring herself to face him.

She was ashamed of how she had followed him without his knowledge and stumbled upon that which she had no right to see.

She knew she would not be able to keep her knowledge a secret for much longer. At some point, she would have to confront him.

She dreaded how he would receive the news and, for that reason, she continued to take her time to prepare herself for what would come.

On the third day, she decided she would no longer be a coward. After dressing, she stepped out in search of him.

She found him on the balcony outside the drawing room, taking tea.

“Would you mind if I joined you?” she asked as she reached his side.

He looked up at her and shook his head.

“Have a seat, please.”

Forcing a smile onto her face, she took the empty seat beside him.

“I hope you are feeling well now. I would have come to you sooner, but Amy said you were clear about not wanting to see anybody,” he said.

His voice was warm and kind. However, there was something about his voice she could not quite place. It gnawed at her.

“I looked and felt horrible. I did not want to be seen in such a state,” she explained. It was not entirely a lie.

“You also refused a physician,” he added quietly.

“Yes. I did not need one for what plagued me. I simply needed time alone, and I was able to have that.”

He paused to take in her words, looking at. She stilled, only breathing when he had finished his appraisal.

“You look well, too. I am glad. I was worried about you.”

Guilt ate at her. She had never felt so undeserving of his affections.

“I am sorry if I caused you to worry, Stephen.”

“Do not be. I, more than anyone, understand the need to take some time for yourself. In fact, I am glad that you did. You have been holding up so well since the incident. But that does not change the fact that what happened to you was an unfortunate thing. It is only human to require moments of privacy every now and then after such a terrible experience.”

How could he be so understanding? He was making things even more difficult for her.

She swallowed, hard. She had come here to speak the truth. There was no use lingering.

Summoning all the courage she’d gathered, she blurted, “I followed you.”

He cocked his brow.

Closing her eyes, she continued. “The other day. I followed you to the west wing. I saw you go into the chamber. I waited, hiding myself until you had gone. Then, I went to the door. I tried to open it; I did not really expect it to open, but it did. So, I went in. And I saw.”

She opened her eyes to hold his gaze then.

“I saw everything. I know I should not have. I was just so curious. I