Caught in the Storm of a Duke's - Abby Ayles Page 0,81
certain.
If the illness affected his ability to move, could he have suffered a fit shortly after he left the dining room that evening?
Also, she remembered with a chill that day on the balcony, when he had asked her to remember her place. She recalled hearing him call for Thomas with so much anguish in his voice.
The servants had suddenly grown wary, speaking in hushed voices, walking on tiptoes afterwards. They had gone back to being as gloomy as they had been when she and Amy had first arrived.
She had not seen him for the entire day, either.
When Mr. Beauregard had come with news of his master’s order the next morning, she had simply surmised the servants had been that way because they had guessed what was coming.
Now, she was not so certain.
If he truly was sick and dying, he had managed to hide it well. It also meant he could have chased her away because he did not want her to learn the truth and begin to hurt for his sake.
Her eyes widened as realization dawned.
This new piece of information changed everything. He had sent her away to protect her. Of course!
Aunt Tia had been certain Stephen loved her.
The woman had said that her husband claimed Stephen had looked upon her with love.
From his actions, she could swear that he cared for her deeply.
They could not all be mistaken, could they?
She chuckled as tears filled her eyes.
The fool.
For that was what he was, chasing her away for her own sake. He could have been honest with her. He could have let her make her own choice.
No, she would not accept it. She would not leave him, either. Not when he needed her the most.
“What will you do?” Amy asked.
Judith smirked, rising to her feet. Easily, she spotted Mr. Hanks in a small crowd, and she called out to him.
“Mr. Hanks! Prepare the carriage. We must go back to Dunham!”
As she said those words, the women turned to her and began to murmur.
“What did she say?”
“Dunham?” One of the women exclaimed shocked.
“Could it be?”
Judith paid them no heed as she left the dining hall for her room.
She was going back to him. It mattered not what he said. She would never leave him. Not again.
***
“Here you are! I’ve been looking all over for you.”
Stephen only spared Thomas a glance as he took a seat by his side. He said nothing. He had come to the stream because he wanted to be left alone.
As though Thomas had read his thoughts, he spoke again.
“I know you came here because you didn’t want to be found. Truth is, I’ve known where you were since you left at dawn. I only decided to come to you now because the sun is beginning to set, and I was growing worried.”
Stephen remained quiet. His eyes were fixed on the flowing waters, his ears missed the sound of peace that accompanied the rustling leaves, blowing wind and silence.
“You’re really not going to speak to me? Pray tell me why you’re so sullen. I did everything you asked of me.”
Stephen gave in to the urge to roll his eyes as he sighed. At this point, it was clear Thomas was deliberately irking him to get a response.
He would not give up so easily.
After a long moment passed and his master still refused to speak, Thomas huffed.
“You shouldn’t have sent her away when you knew you’d be so miserable without her. You always were stubborn, even as a child. I never minded, as it always did you more good than harm. However, I am afraid that this time, I shouldn’t have let you have your way … for your own sake. I’m worried you’re going to take ill. You haven’t had anything to eat since she left, and it’s been two days.”
“I’m not hungry,” Stephen muttered, finally speaking.
Thomas was quick to respond. “I’m sure. Still, it wouldn’t hurt to fill your belly with something, no matter how little. Some bread, perhaps?”
“I miss her,” he blurted.
He did. So much. Eating was not the only thing he had not been able to do since she left. He had not been able to catch a wink of sleep either.
The pain in his heart was so raw.
He missed everything about her, her smile, her beautiful laughter, her soft voice. The way her eyes twinkled when she was pleased. That face reminded him of angels.
Thomas did not appear to be taken aback by his confession at all.