Page 24 of A Countess of Convenience

“His speech has come back amazingly in a very short time. We can be thankful for that.” Miles moved to stand beside her and put his hand on her shoulder. “However, his left leg troubles me. He seems to have no feeling in it and no use of it. If he were going to recover that, we should have seen at least a little progress there as well.”

Judith swallowed convulsively, a fleeting numbness spreading through her body. Pleading, she grasped his arms. “Do you think he will ever walk again?”

“It’s difficult to say with certainly. Each patient responds differently, but I fear not.”

Gripping him tightly, Judith swayed toward him. Her father had been so vital, so active all his life. For him to be confined to the house and grounds—anywhere he might be carried—was a cruel blow.

“I am so very sorry, my dear.” He pulled her against his chest, and she leaned into him gratefully.

She needed someone at this moment. A champion. “And his left arm? You said downstairs that had been affected also. Will he have use of it eventually?”

He shook his head. “Unfortunately, I am not sure of that either. These apoplectic fits usually affect one side or the other, causing paralysis on that side alone. His right side, as you have seen, is not affected at all. His left arm and leg were both immobile when I first arrived, however, I did note some slight movement of the arm just before I called you out here.” He leaned back to look into her face. “That is a good sign. Perhaps with time, he will regain at least some use of that limb.”

Standing within the circle of his arms, hearing those blessed words of hope, Judith relaxed for the first time since she’d been summoned to her father’s side. “Thank you, Miles.”

He smiled and leaned toward her.

Judith’s heart pounded oddly as he pressed firm lips gently against hers then they were gone. Less time than it took to realize what he had done, actually. She stared up at him, uncertain how she should feel about such a liberty, but certain she’d enjoyed it very much. “Perhaps we should go back in to my father.”

Miles caught her arm. “Would you like me to tell him the truth about his condition? I usually am very forthright about such things, but I will abide by your wishes if you think it best he does not know the worst.”

Judith sighed and shook her head. “No, he must know the truth. He’d be more upset to be given hope where none exists.”

“As you wish.” Putting his arm around her shoulders, Miles escorted her to the door then dropped his arm to his side.

Smiling widely to conceal her inner turmoil, Judith went to her father’s bed. “How are you feeling now, Pappa?”

“T…tired, but t…tolerable.” He twitched his left arm. “This…going to b…be a n…nuisance.”

“Miles believes it may resolve itself in time.” Adjusting his covers, she smiled brightly. “You are already speaking ever so much better than when I first saw you. Isn’t he, Mamma?”

“Indeed, he is.” Mamma squeezed his right hand, which she was still in possession of. Judith might have to be firm with her to get her to leave him for some much-needed rest. “I expect he will be up and around in no time.” She turned to Miles. “Isn’t that correct, my lord?”

“I was just telling Judith that I am uncertain how much use Mr. Welbourne will recover in his arm, but it seems there is some progress, so we can be hopeful.” His attention shifted to her father. “Unfortunately, sir, as there has been no evidence of movement in your leg, I fear the outcome for it is much less optimistic.”

“I’ll be…cr…crippled?” Her father’s eyes narrowed.

“You may not regain any feeling in the leg and therefore no use of it at all.”

The matter-of-fact way Miles delivered that sentence was both awful and a relief. At least Pappa and Mamma would know exactly where things stood. Life would be different—very different—for both of them from now on.

“C…can I tr…tr…travel?”

Her father’s question brought her attention back to him with a nasty thump. “Travel, Pappa? You have no need to—” Judith gasped. Anna. She’d forgotten their journey, now moved up due to Lord Downing’s letter. His letter that had caused this further hurt to her family.

“M…must go.” The words faded as her father closed his eyes. A moment later, he was asleep.

Judith glanced at her mother, intent on the still figure in the bed. Had her father meant he must go with her, or was he giving her permission to go without him? Would her mother leave him to go with her as chaperone? She could not travel alone with John, no matter that she was a widow. Both their reputations would be in shreds and they’d be expected to marry immediately should they be so imprudent as to do such a scandalous thing.

She glanced at Miles to find him staring intently at her.

“Your father cannot travel with you, Judith. Surely you must know that.”

Nodding, she turned her back on her parents and drew Miles a little away. “I think he knows I must go, however. My mother, I believe, will not wish to leave his side.”

“You need not fear for your father’s care while you are away. By the time you actually leave, he may be much improved.”

“We must leave tomorrow or, at the most, the day after.” Judith squared her shoulders and looked Miles in the eyes. “Lord Downing’s letter has made it abundantly clear we must make haste if I am to fight his claim of guardianship. John will take us to London to consult with a solicitor, and from thence we will to Wiltshire, hopefully to take Anna away.”