Caught in the Storm of a Duke's - Abby Ayles Page 0,96

eyes and held them. They were reassuring, strengthening. He took every bit she offered, aware that he would be needing it.

In no time, they were in the baron’s study. He closed the doors behind them and led Stephen to the sofas that graced one end of the room.

“Please, sit. Do you care for a brandy?”

Stephen had not tasted any in years, but he could not bring himself to refuse, so he nodded.

“Yes, thank you.”

It was the right answer. “Wonderful! I’ll bring some.”

By the time he returned with the drink, Stephen was seated, anxious, with sweaty palms.

He had taken a cup of his tea that morning but found himself wondering if he should have taken another before having this discussion.

He had only done this once before, and he had not been so nervous then.

His stomach would not stop churning, there was a chill in his spine, and his heart … his heart was being erratic.

Stephen prayed that he would make it through to the end of the conversation this without suffering a seizure.

“Here…” the baron said, holding out the glass.

Stephen accepted it, muttering his thanks. He surprised himself when he immediately took a long sip. Thankfully, he felt better, less taken by his nerves.

If the baron suspected anything, he did not let it show.

“You wished to have a word with me?” he asked.

Stephen nodded hurriedly. “I did … I do.”

“Please, go ahead. We are in a safe place now. These walls do not have ears, I assure you.”

Stephen smiled, grateful that Lord Davenforth had tried to make him feel better by jesting.

“That is comforting to know.”

The baron took a healthy sip of his own drink. “I thought it would be,” he said as he lowered his glass. “So, what is this about?”

This is it.

Drawing in a deep breath, he found the strength Judith had given him and held onto it.

“It is about your daughter, Lady Judith.”

Lord Brewen’s brow raised. “I see. Is something the matter?”

Stephen was quick to answer. “No. Not at all. I … I simply want to ask for your blessings.”

“My blessings? Whatever for?”

“To marry Lady Judith,” he blurted, finally.

The baron did not seem surprised by his announcement at all. In fact, he smiled, as though he had been expecting it.

“I see. I am well aware that she stayed in your home for a long time. You would not have happened to dishonor her, would you?”

Stephen’s eyes bulged. “My Lord! Absolutely not! I am a man of honor, and I respect your daughter too much to ever do such a thing.”

The baron’s smile grew even wider. Stephen suspected he was being awfully teased.

“Is that so? Well, if that is the case, shall I believe you wish to marry my daughter because you care for her, not because you feel responsible, or the need to do right by her?”

“I love Judith. With all my heart. For so long, I fought against my feelings, denying them, but they could not be helped. I never want to spend another moment without her. This is the reason why I want her as my wife. It would be the greatest honor.”

Lord Davenforth’s smile vanished then. He suddenly grew serious.

Stephen became afraid again. There was a moment of silence. It was the longest of Stephen’s life.

Finally, the Baron spoke. “I had hoped that was the case, but I had to be certain. When she wrote to us, saying she had news and you would be returning with her to London, we guessed it. I have been watching you two since you arrived. The way you look at each other, unconsciously trying to find each other even in the smallest gathering. I have never seen her so happy; she is radiant. I know that I have her time in Dunham and you to thank for that.”

He sat up in his seat. Stephen remained anxious.

“You took her in and cared for her when she needed it the most. I would be an ungrateful man to lose sight of this. Nevertheless, you must understand that as a father, it is only right that I want the best for my daughter. Judith is young still, yet to debut even. We are in no hurry to marry her off.”

Stephen nodded. “I do understand, sir.”

“I asked about you,” Lord Davenforth continued. “When I received her first letter. I needed to know what kind of man you were. I learned … things. After you visited Tia, she wrote to her sister, telling her what a charming man you were and how you