Page 33 of A Countess of Convenience

“I will see you at breakfast?” She headed to the door, still clasping his hand.

“Of course, my dear.” Resisting the urge to say something, in case his hopes should be dashed yet again, John raised their clasped hand and kissed her knuckles. “I hope you sleep well.”

“Oh, I’m sure of it.” She grasped him around the neck, lifted herself up on tiptoe and kissed his mouth.

The shock of it left him motionless, although she was not so affected. Once more she plundered his mouth, searching out every inch, probing deeply so that his member surged against his breeches so forcefully he groaned. God, but he wanted her more than ever.

And if she was not simply teasing him, she wanted him as well.

Judith broke off the kiss, sent him a brief if somewhat triumphant smile, and disappeared out the door before he could warn her to look for other guests in the corridor.

Apparently, Judith was no longer worried about a scandal. That was fortunate, because once the business with her daughter was completed, he intended to pursue her to perdition itself if necessary. She’d left him aching and elated as no other woman had ever done. Oh, yes, he’d make her another offer of marriage. An offer he now had hopes she would not wish to refuse.

Chapter 13

Late the next evening, the carriage bearing Judith and the maids drew up in front of a fashionable Mayfair townhouse. The imposing four-story structure of dark brick sat in the middle of a block of towering townhomes on Hyde Park Street. Tired though she was, Judith was as excited as the two maids, peering out the windows at this marvelous residence and its environs. The street was quiet, unlike the traffic they’d come through since entering London, for which Judith was grateful. She feared she’d need several days to recuperate from both this journey and her encounter with John last night.

Determined not to think of that until she was snug in her room, Judith donned her cloak as John opened the carriage door and assisted her from the vehicle. She’d steeled herself to his touch this morning when entering the carriage and it had taken almost to the first changing of horses for her to stop shaking. Now, as he handed her down, little sparks shot up her hand despite her gloves. If his presence and slight contact set her to trembling, she didn’t know what she would do now that they would be living beneath the same roof.

Escorting her to the door, John rapped soundly on it.

Immediately, a staid butler opened the door. “Good evening, my lord. We have been expecting you.”

“Thank you, Barr. This way, my dear.” They gave their wraps to the butler and continued through to a pleasant sitting room, furnished in blue and cream. Just masculine enough, but not overbearing. The tapestry of a hunting scene was splendid and very much to John’s taste. “Barr, tea for Mrs. Harper. Where is my sister?”

“Right behind you, brother.” The familiar voice was like homecoming. Judith whirled around and found herself in Kitty’s arms. “Lord, we haven’t been together in an age, Judith. My, but it’s good to see you.”

“Kitty, I am so very pleased to see you again.” Judith hugged her old friend, new energy flowing into her. “I hope our plans have not inconvenienced yours.”

“Nonsense.” Kitty took her in from top to very dusty toe. They’d walked quite a bit around the last innyard where they changed horses, which had had a bone-dry courtyard. “I’m so glad you’ve come. London has begun to be tedious, and it’s barely April. We shall take the Season by storm, shan’t we?”

“I’m afraid not.” Judith grew still. She wasn’t used to talking about Simon’s death. “My husband died in January, so I’m afraid no entertainments for me, although I will be more than happy to accompany you shopping any time you need me.” She shot a look at John. “I will have to confer with your brother to discover when I am free. We have much to do here in Town in a short time.”

“If you are on John’s schedule, I truly pity you. He doesn’t know the meaning of the word ‘rest.’ I am always surprised when he allows time to eat at all.” Kitty made a moue and linked arms with Judith. “Let me show you to your room. I’ll have the tea sent there then we can catch up before dinner.”

“Hello, Kitty.” John stood staring at his sister, his lips pursed good-naturedly. “So wonderful of you to welcome your brother home after so long apart.”

“Hello, brother.” She left Judith with a rolling of her eyes and went to hug John. “We have not been that long apart and certainly not as long as since I saw Judith last. Take pity on two women who have years of news to catch up on.”

“I will leave you to it. I wrote to you of our business with Lord Downing, but there are some developments you should be apprised of,” John smiled at Judith and her stomach flipped over, “before we continue with our quest to return Anna to her mother.”

Judith glared at John. What business had he not told Kitty? Certainly, he did not intend to inform her of their rendezvous last evening. She gave a slight shake of her head, and he chuckled.

Kitty looked from one to the other of them, took Judith’s arm again, and pulled her along the corridor toward the staircase. “Let us go, Judith, before my brother begins to tease you again.”

“John doesn’t tease me, Kitty, although he used to do for you unmercifully at times.” When they were younger, John had always deviled his sister, although in a much milder manner than Dora and Simon had carried on. Their feuds had been almost rude at times, and often hateful on Simon’s part.

“My dear, don’t you remember?” A sidewise glance spoke volumes. “John would tease you just so you would pay attention to him. He quite mooned about the house once you’d gone home.” She sniffed. “That was when he was truly insufferable to me. Because you wouldn’t notice him.”

They reached the first-floor landing, and Kitty shepherded her down to the last door on the right. Judith could think of not a word to say to Kitty’s indictment of her. She couldn’t refute it because she remembered nothing of the sort. Not of John teasing her or any hint of his affection for her at the time.

“This is to be your chamber while you are with us.” Kitty led her into a bright, cheery room with light yellow silk covering the walls. A sitting room had been furnished with a pretty petite chaise and two chairs in patterned fabric at the far end, near the fireplace. A tall poster bed, also following the airy theme, had a white and yellow coverlet and several soft-looking pillows.

“What a delightful room.” Judith walked in hurriedly all the way to the fireplace, hoping to keep the conversation away from such reminiscences. “I am certain I will be comfortable here.”

“I hope you will.” Kitty followed her in and shut the door. “Do you plan to stay long? John was uncertain on the subject.” She pulled the bellpull.

“Has he told you about Lord Downing and the guardianship?” That was a subject Judith could speak on for hours.