Page 27 of A Countess of Convenience

“Well, not a pickle, actually, although it would be rather rash, considering you are only three months widowed. Talk about a scandal for Society to wag their tongues about.” He rolled his eyes. “A widow who remarried that hastily would have everyone counting on their fingers and watching to see if her waistline was growing. A night on the road at an inn in separate rooms would be nothing compared to that.”

Judith had to admit his assessment was correct. She could not marry John or Miles or anyone until next January at the earliest. Although that thought should’ve comforted her, she found her mood more disappointed than it had any right to be. “You were always the tease of the three of us, John. I seem to have forgotten that over the years.”

“A mistake you make at your peril.” He smiled still, yet deep in his eyes lurked something unfathomable, something he seemed to be holding in check. “In all seriousness, Judith, Blanchard did suggest that your unmarried state could be an impediment to the court’s granting you guardianship. That is not a warning you will wish to take lightly.”

“Do you truly think they will insist I marry in order to regain Anna?” How cruel the court would be, to force her to choose between accepting a marriage of convenience or losing her child.

“That is something we will discuss with Blanchard in London. Try not to worry about it until then.” He cupped her upturned face. “But in all seriousness, know that if it comes to that, you will have me to turn to, with no expectations from you at all. I have been and always shall be your champion, in this as in all things. My most fervent wish is for you to be reunited with your daughter. Whatever I need do to accomplish that, I am prepared to do.”

Judith’s heart thumped hard against her chest. The declaration of his devotion to her overwhelmed her with its sincerity. This man would walk through fire for her without a moment’s hesitation. The comfort that knowledge gave her sent a wash of warmth all through her.

“What are you two plotting over there?” Mamma broke into Judith’s thoughts, startling her out of the tender feelings that had emerged.

Placing a finger in front of his lips to warn her to silence, John turned toward her parents. “We are planning the journey to Wiltshire, so Judith can confront Lord Downing.”

“Oh, but she can’t go.” Mamma looked askance at John and waved frantically at her. “My dear, I know you and John are old friends, but it will be very unseemly for you to travel together alone. You know, Judith, I simply cannot leave your father.”

Plastering a smile on her face and taking a deep breath, Judith started toward her mother. “It will be all right, Mamma. John has the perfect plan for us that will see the matter through without a hint of scandal.”

That might, of course, be the case at the moment. However, Judith suspected that too much time in proximity to Lord Haxby was the perfect recipe for making a scandal worthy of the name.

Chapter 10

As the sun began to head toward the horizon, John’s carriage turned into the yard at The Sun Inn in Biggleswade. Judith stretched and wiggled her feet, glad to have arrived at their destination at last.

Their party had left at first light, the chattering maids silenced by the elegance of John’s traveling coach. Soft black leather seats, gleaming wooden trim with gold tracings painted to look like vines, a permanent foot warmer and a fold-out table for card games all managed to dazzle the two girls as they climbed in and settled in the back-facing seat. Awed herself by the splendor of the coach, Judith spent the first hour of the journey peering at its opulent appointments. The carriage looked brand new, purchased, perhaps, to celebrate John inheriting the earldom. That didn’t sound like the John she knew, but men certainly changed over the course of eight years.

The morning was chilly, but fair, so John, true to his word, mounted his chestnut stallion Caesar and rode out ahead of the coach. Throughout the day, he changed positions, riding first in front then beside the carriage. Judith quite enjoyed the sight of his excellent seat, the lean lines of his body as he cantered along beside them. Whenever they stopped to change horses, John appeared instantly, handing her and the two girls down, fetching them tea or escorting them into the inn for a swift luncheon of cottage pie and ale then back to the carriage for the next leg of the journey. If the man had set out to impress her with his sterling qualities as an escort, he was doing a marvelous job of it.

The coach door opened, and John extended his hand to her. Thankful to stand at last, she paused a moment on the top step, savoring the soft breeze that touched her cheeks. “The air is so delicious after so many hours cooped up.”

“A gilded cage is a cage nonetheless.” He smiled. “Are you ready to descend from your illustrious height, my lady?”

Grinning back at him, she nodded, but kept her nose in the air. “Why, yes, my lord. I believe I have breathed enough rarified air for the moment.” She made to step onto the second step, but her ankle twisted, throwing her toward the ground.

She let out a loud cry and grappled for purchase, clutching at John’s hand. But her gloved fingers slid free, and she braced herself for the impact.

Suddenly his powerful arms swooped her up, clutching her to his chest. A very firm, broad chest, where his heart raced, thumping in time with hers.

“I’ve got you, Judith.” He held her to him, giving her a moment to catch her breath. Strangely, the pulse that pounded in her head and throughout her body would not subside. Indeed, the longer he held her, the fiercer it throbbed. “Are you all right?”

With regret, Judith sighed and nodded.

Slowly, he lowered her feet to the ground, allowing her to slide the length of his body. Not a good idea if they wanted to keep the proprieties intact. The feel of his firm muscles, easily evident through his clothing, did nothing to calm her still rapidly beating heart. An unexpected heat shot through her when she encountered the evidence of his own arousal through his trousers.

Dizzy by the time she could stand by herself, Judith stepped away, rubbing her arms briskly as John helped the two maids down. She must focus on the moment at hand. They had decided their story would be that she was a widowed relation journeying to London to stay with her sister-in-law. Close enough to the truth, although if Dora awaited her in Town, she would’ve been a deal happier. She and Catherine Tate had been best of friends in childhood; however, Judith hadn’t seen Kitty these last eight years. Their friendship would need to be renewed before she could be as easy with her as she’d become with Dora. In any case, now it was time to put forth their little subterfuge and she must play her part with impunity.

Straightening her shoulders, she took John’s arm and walked sedately into the inn. Inwardly, she was anything but sedate, but fortunately no one could see her trepidation unless she let them.

“Innkeeper,” John called out when they reached the tap room, bustling already this time of night.

A large, jovial-looking man popped up from behind the bar. “Yes…my lord?” The man obviously sized up his customers with a practiced eye.

“I am Lord Haxby. We need two rooms for the night. One with a parlor for my cousin Mrs. Harper and her two maids, and a room for myself.” John’s calm countenance made his request sound completely normal. Then why did Judith have to pinch her arm to keep from trembling?

“Will you want a connecting door, my lord?”

“No, thank you, Mr.…?”