She smiled. “Every family needs a good rascal.”
“Too true.” Martin’s expression lightened, his eyes sparkling with a hint of mischief as he added, “I seem to recall a certain little girl getting herself into quite a few scrapes.”
Raising her nose in the air, Judith replied with a pert tone. “I have no idea what you are referring to. And if I recall properly—and I do—that little girl had a certain little boy prodding her into mischief.”
Martin laughed, the sound ringing out through the afternoon air, making Judith’s heart swell. The elder children paused in their games to watch their father, and Judith tucked her arm in Martin’s as she’d done so many times before. It brought with it memories of them strolling along these familiar paths as they jabbered on about all the little nothings of their lives. It was eons ago, yet in that moment, it felt as though time had turned back, depositing them in the world before the cares of life had altered them.
“And how are you enjoying being at home once more?” asked Martin. “My dear mother-in-law has been as close to content as she can be in these circumstances.”
Judith huffed, shaking her head. “I find it strange to hear it called home, for it doesn’t feel that way to me. I am pleased my presence has eased some of Aunt Lavinia’s burden, but you would think I am her pet with how often she asks me to fetch for her.”
“Bravo, Douglas!” called Martin when the lad demanded his father’s attention, but then he turned back to Judith with a shake of his head. “Then she hasn’t changed?”
“It is strangely comforting that some things remain the same,” said Judith with a wry smile.
But Martin answered that with a knowing raise of his brows and steered her to where his elder daughters sat painting and reading. Shifting the cushions, Martin readied a place for the two of them while Judith was enveloped by the girls, each vying for her to admire their work.
“Oh, that is lovely,” she said whenEmeliapractically shoved her piece in Judith’s face. Then moving to Valerie, she rested her hand on the young lady’s shoulder as she examined her piece. “I adore how you’ve layered the colors together. Simply marvelous.”
With a faint smile, Valerie blushed and dove back into her work. Milicent was more circumspect but seemed equally pleased as Judith offered a few compliments.
Martin guided Judith to a seat, and she settled her skirts around her as she watched the children. Though still adorned in their mourning clothes, there was a stark difference from when she’d first arrived. Judith’s heart burned, the warmth spreading through her as she contemplated just how much had changed in the past five weeks, and she sent out a silent prayer of gratitude that she’d been able to do some good for this dear family.
The boys tossed their ball, and it swung wide, landing beside Martin, who launched it back to the lads. Though there were still late, restless nights, even their papa was faring much better, and Judith felt a stirring within her. Her thoughts kept pointing to Titchley and Stowell Cottage, and it was getting more difficult to ignore that the Hardwickes no longer needed her.
Her lightness of spirit fled, leaving her empty inside as her mind wandered to places she hadn’t allowed it to go. No doubt Mr. Byrnes was well on his way to being engaged, and it did no good to dwell on the fact. If anything, it was the prime scenario. Judith would return having missed the celebrations and could move onto a new position with little fanfare before the wedding takes place.
At that moment, Judith’s memory reminded her of the resolution she’d made in church all those weeks ago, and she couldn’t help but laugh at her ridiculous self. So much for her determination to think of Mr. Byrnes no more. Judith couldn’t help herself. At least the thoughts (and feelings that accompanied them) held no power over her; they haunted her from time to time, but they did not control her.
Jasper scurried close to where she sat and danced back and forth. “Catch me!”
Feigning indifference, Judith waited until the lad grew too bold and came within arm’s reach. She snatched him into her arms and dug her fingers into all the ticklish parts until he was squirming and shrieking with laughter. He lay across her lap, panting for a moment before launching himself up and running off after his brothers.
Judith watched them run about, playing as every child ought, and that warm, contented feeling settled back into her heart. Thank the heavens they were able to smile and laugh still. She hoped Chloe knew it and found peace in knowing her children would thrive. Trying times lay ahead—as they did in any life—but the family was making a go of it.
When her gaze drifted from the young ones playing on the lawn to her companion at her side, she found Martin watching her. There was a faint smile on his lips, and he held her gaze for a long moment, studying her, though Judith could not interpret his expression.
“Would you accompany me on a walk?” he asked. Nodding towards the nursemaids. “They have the children in hand, and we shan’t go far.”
Rising to his feet, he offered her his hand, and Judith smiled, taking it as he helped her up. She linked her arm in his, and they wandered past the excited horde, their footsteps moving in unison as a companionable silence fell and the sounds of the children faded into the distance. Martin led them along an old and familiar path that brought them into Judith’s favorite copse of trees; it had such an air of magic about it that she’d thought it home to fairies and wee folk, and she’d led more than a few expeditions into the undergrowth to hunt for the lovely creatures. Martin helped her over a log and deeper into the wood until they found the place that had served as their base of operations.
“The throne,” she whispered with a smile, releasing his arm to sit upon a downed tree that was twisted into an approximation of a seat.
“The children often come out here and play exactly as we did,” he said, stuffing his hands into his pocket as he examined the clearing. “Milicent was as certain as you that she would find some fairy or elf hidden among the thickets.”
“It is beautiful here,” she said, running a hand along the rough bark of the tree. The seat wasn’t as high as she recalled, though Judith supposed she was quite a bit taller than the last time she’d sat there.
Martin looked up at the sky, his head thrown back as he examined the canopy above them. Then, turning to face her, he held Judith’s gaze.
“I don’t know how I can ever thank you. The children are doing so much better since your arrival.” He huffed and shook his head with a self-deprecating smile. “Iam doing much better. You have been a blessing to my household.”
“I am pleased to have been of assistance, Martin.”
His head lowered, his gaze falling to the ground as his brows pulled low. “And I know it is time for you to return to Titchley.”
Judith nodded, though he did not see it.
Straightening, he stepped closer and crouched before her, taking her hand in his. “I cannot bear the thought of you leaving us, Judith. You are a blessing to us, and you must stay here.”
