Caught in the Storm of a Duke's - Abby Ayles Page 0,78
be able to survive without him.
She had been unable to breathe properly since Mr. Beauregard told them Stephen had asked that they leave his home.
She wanted to tell him she was sorry, she had many regrets, and wished she could turn the back hands of time so, that things would go back to the way they were before that unfortunate day.
Alas, he would never know all of that.
Judith stalled for as long as she could, hoping he would change his mind and come to wish them farewell. As it became increasingly clear that would not happen, she finally gave up hope and let Mr. Beauregard help her into the carriage.
She took one last look at Dunham as she settled in the carriage, then at the servants. Forcing a warm smile, she raised her hand and waved.
She had said her goodbyes the day before, but the entire household had still left their duties to bid her safe travels.
She would miss them all terribly. She wished she did not have to leave but she must.
Stephen no longer cared for her, and Dunham had never been her home.
These were the thoughts that remained with her as the carriage began to roll out of Dunham. When the giant gates shut behind them, her heart broke into further pieces.
It was all over now. Truly over.
***
The ride was quiet. Amy must have realized how terribly sad Judith was, for she held her peace as well. Every now and then, Judith felt her maid’s gaze upon her face, but it did not linger too long. Since Mr. Beauregard had made the announcement, Amy had not tried to ask any questions.
Judith knew she had many; there was curiosity in her eyes. There was also sadness and understanding of the need to simply support her lady until she was ready to speak.
As they rode further away from Dunham, Judith let herself think of him and all the precious moments they had shared together.
She wondered if he would miss her at all, if he would ever forgive her, if she would see him again.
A sigh slipped from her lips, and her heart ached anew. Life was not fair.
She had hoped that, at the very least, if they ever had to part, it would be on a good note. Even if they never became more than they already were, that they would remain amiable.
It appeared she had hoped for too much.
She would not be able to write him fond letters, telling him of the life she had returned to. He would not be inclined to write any in return.
He would only exist in her memories.
She sighed again.
This was what it felt like to be heartbroken. She supposed it was something everyone had to experience once in a lifetime.
This was simply her time.
She must have fallen asleep because when she came to, the carriage was rolling to a stop.
“Amy? What is it?” she asked as she fully awakened.
“I believe we’ve arrived at the inn where we’ll be resting for the night. The skies are starting to grow dark,” Amy responded.
“Oh. Very well.”
Judith peeked out of the window then, and saw the inn. It was a two-story, wooden building, with a colorful sign hanging outside that proclaimed it as the “Seafarer Inn”.
“The Seafarer Inn,” she thought aloud. It was quite an uncommon name for an inn and not to be easily forgotten.
In no time, the coachman came to the door, held it open and helped them down one after the other.
“We will be resting here tonight, my lady,” he explained as Judith’s feet touched the ground.
She nodded and took her time looking around, taking in the ambience, the scenery, and the caliber of people she saw walking about.
The inn reminded her of the one where they had stayed on their way from London. Only this was bigger and seemed livelier. People went and came freely, filling the air with their chatter.
There were common folk and nobles such as herself. She could tell from their clothing which was which. At one side of a wide courtyard stood the stables and on the other carriages, coaches, and carts were parked.
The Seafarer Inn seemed quite charming, she thought. It looked like a cozy family home from the outside, and she wondered what the inside was like.
“What village are we in, Mr. Hanks?”
“Berfount, my Lady. Only four villages away from Earlshire.”
Judith nodded. She must have been asleep for a long time. She had not even noticed when they had passed her aunt’s home.