Page 35 of A Countess of Convenience

“But Downing is here, my dear. You’re not making sense.” He recaptured her hand. “Are you sure you’re all right?”

“Yes, yes, don’t you see? If we go quickly to Wiltshire, I can see Lady Downing without her husband and persuade her to allow me to see Anna.” Surely the lady would see reason, one mother to another.

“But, Judith—”

“I must see her, John. I must.” She grasped his arms, so frustrated she shook him until she burst into tears.

“Shh.” He pulled her into his arms. “You will see her, if I have to move heaven and earth to do it.” His lips grazed her hair.

She burrowed into his arms, reveling in the warmth and comfort he exuded. And somehow, she believed him. His conviction was so steadfast, her doubts trickled away. Other doubts were beginning to evaporate as well. The impenetrable circle of warmth and safety he had created just by encircling her with his arms gave her more comfort than anything she’d ever experienced. She might try to deny it, but it was true. He truly was her champion. “Then you will take me to Wiltshire?”

Wiping the tears from her cheeks, John slowly shook his head. “I have no need to do so.”

“But—”

“She is here.”

Judith couldn’t take it in at first. “She’s here? Anna is here, in London?”

“So Blanchard says.” John smiled and again offered the letter. “Lord and Lady Downing and the child are staying at their townhouse in Grosvenor Square, awaiting the determination of the Chancery Court.”

She gazed up at John, still unable to believe it true. “And you’ll take me to see her?”

“Just as soon as they can bring the carriage around.” His gaze never left her face.

God knew they needed to talk—about Anna, about the petition, about their tryst the other night and the intense emotions all of it was bringing forth in her. But for the moment, Judith was content to let him champion her once more and take her to see her child.

Chapter 14

The journey from John’s townhouse to Lord Downing’s establishment in Grosvenor Square was less than a quarter of a mile. To Judith, however, a jaunt to Scotland would’ve seemed quicker. She stared out the window as they passed other houses, people, and carriages, yet time seemed to have stopped for her. She was going to see Anna. Her stomach twisted with excitement and anticipation.

“We will need to strive for calm, Judith.” John’s deep voice brought her attention back to him. “Now is not the time to be combative if you wish to see your daughter. As the Downings are her guardians, it is well within their right to refuse to allow anyone to see her.”

“Why would I wish to antagonize Lord Downing, John? I know the man well. You do not have to tell me he is a tyrant who must be appeased.” That lesson had been taught to her within the hour of moving into Harper’s Grange.

“You do realize you have a habit of speaking your mind, my dear? From childhood.” John bit back a smile. “All I’m saying is you will catch more flies with honey than vinegar.”

“Huh.” Ruffled by his estimation of her, which she must admit was true, Judith shrugged. “I promise I will pour on the honey, John, but I’ll keep the vinegar in reserve, just in case.” A bully such as Lord Downing might require persuasion of a sterner sort. Judith had seen Simon work on his father thusly time and again to get his way. Perhaps she could take a lesson from his successes.

The carriage pulled up before the familiar red brick townhouse with the two bay windows—on the first and second floors—making it the most unusual residence on the block. Lord Downing always loved to possess things that set him apart.

John got out and helped her down. Judith took his arm, refusing to be intimidated by a mere house. She’d have much more to be frightened of inside.

A rap of the knocker and the door opened, revealing Soames, the in-Town butler. The older man’s eyes widened comically. “Mrs. Harper.” He glanced from her to John and back to her. “I…I…”

“Good morning, Soames.” Biting back a smile, Judith nodded. “This is Lord Haxby, a dear friend of mine. We wish to see Lord and Lady Downing, if you please.”

“Ah, yes, ma’am. Please, forgive me. This way.” Still flustered, but recovering, Soames led them just inside the foyer and settled them in the formal receiving room, a rather chilly chamber decorated in blues and grays. “I will inform the master you are here, Mrs. Harper.” The butler bowed and scurried out.

“This is the room where Lord Downing sees all his visitors in Town,” Judith whispered, gazing around the chamber. She’d never actually set foot in it before today. “It always sent a cold chill down my back when I passed by it.”

“Don’t worry, my dear. I have no such trepidations about meeting Lord Downing here or anywhere.” The inscrutable set of John’s face was softened by a hint of a smile.

Still, the room itself seemed a foreboding of unpleasant things to come.

An interminable time later, they were rewarded by the sound of footsteps on the foyer tiles and Lord Downing appeared, alone.

Judith rose, as did John. Try to remain calm. “Lord Downing, how good to see you again.”