Caught in the Storm of a Duke's - Abby Ayles Page 0,92

voice … calling out to him.

No, it cannot be!

He had left her behind. She could not have followed; she could not see him like this!

Yet, here she was.

Just then, he felt Judith’s arms come around him, and she pulled him onto her lap. He accepted that he could not be so delusional, he was surely imagining such things. But it was truly happening.

Her hands cradled his face ever softly. She started to stroke his hair with delicate fingers, tenderly. So tenderly that his heart ached.

The shadows began to fade away.

“Stay with me, Stephen. Stay with me. You are not alone now. I am with you … I shall always be with you.”

Her beautiful voice pierced through the haze, keeping him from going deeper than he had gone already, bringing him back.

“Judith?” he asked, his voice hoarse from the pain. Slowly, he tried to pry open his eyes.

She nodded. “Yes, my love. It is me. I am here. I am here. Do not leave me. I am here.” She was speaking in hushed whispers now. He could hear the worry and love in her voice.

He knew she was hurting because of him again. He had hoped she would never see him this way, wished the day would never come. He had been willing to do all in his power to make certain it never would, yet in that moment, he was glad she was with him.

Her presence was soothing, comforting.

His bones slowly stopped aching and as his eyes fully opened, he realized he was well again. The worst was over.

The shadows and darkness were entirely gone. So was his fear.

“Judith…” he said again.

She nodded, looking down at him as though he was the most precious thing to her.

“I am here,” he said, smiling. “And do not think I am going anywhere this time. How dare I when you have already commanded it? I do believe I am helpless to go against your wishes, my fair lady.”

She chuckled, and he heard the raw relief in her laughter. It pleased him.

“That is good to know. How are you feeling now?”

“Like myself.”

She nodded again, the joy in her eyes evident. “Just what I wanted to hear. I am glad.”

Stephen realized he had been worried about nothing. The love between them was too strong. He would not let anything come between them, not his illness, not even her parents.

If they refused him, he would keep asking until they accepted. He was never letting her go.

He started to rise and, as he did so, he realized the improper position the had been in … and in such a public place, where anyone could see.

His face grew warm and he knew he must have turned red. He pushed away from her as he sat up completely, clearing his throat.

She must have understood for she smiled shyly then and looked away.

A moment passed before she spoke, breaking the silence.

“I followed because I was worried about you. I could tell you were troubled. I was going to remain at least ten paces away, keep watch, and make my presence known only if you needed me. Apparently, you did. When you began walking towards the tree, you started to limp. That was how I knew a fit was close.”

She paused, holding his gaze. “Is it always this bad?”

Stephen shook his head. “Worse. Much worse. I had it quite easy this time. I have never been pulled from a fit before. I have always succumbed and lain unconscious for some while. This is the first time that did not happen.”

He shook his head. “I never thought it possible. That I could ever start but not go all the way. I know I have you to thank for it. You see what you do to and for me, Judith. How could you ever believe yourself not special?”

He was indebted to her for all eternity. More and more, she continued to give him reason to live, to fight for his life, to hope.

Her response was another shy smile.

When she finally decided to speak, a shadow fell upon them just as she opened her mouth.

Stephen looked up to see an old woman approaching them. Judith followed his gaze until hers came to rest upon the new presence.

They remained where they were, not knowing whether to move or not. Finally, the old woman reached them.

“I saw,” she said as she came to a stop.

Stephen’s eyes widened. He didn’t have to ask what she saw; he knew. Immediately, he started to think of how he must