Page 39 of A Countess of Convenience

The door opened, and Barr announced, “Lord Farringdon.”

Mouth dropping open, Judith whirled around. “Miles! What brings you here?” She peered behind her, hope that her father had become well enough for the journey bubbling forth.

However, the butler merely closed the door, leaving her alone with Miles.

“Hello, Judith.” His grave manner gave her a frisson of fear, but then after John’s jovial countenance, anyone would seem dour.

“Please, come sit. I will ring for fresh tea.” She indicated the seat next to her, near the fire, then rang the bell. “I am so surprised to see you. You gave me no warning you were coming to Town.”

“It was unexpected. There was no time to write to you.” He took a seat, still looking uncomfortable.

“Have you a Townhouse in London? If not, you must stay with us here. I am certain John will insist upon it. Are you here long?” She was running on, speaking too fast, but she was suddenly happy to see a new, though familiar, face. Too happy? She’d enjoyed her acquaintance with Miles very much. Perhaps their brief absence had brought out stronger feelings than she’d previously supposed.

“Thank you, but my uncle had a property in Town. I’ll see to having it opened up as I suppose I will be staying a few days. I did come here immediately, though.”

Judith cocked her head. “You did? How singular, Miles. You should have set the servants to opening the house before coming to pay a call. There cannot be anything so important to tell me.”

Miles leaned toward her and grasped her hands. “It is that important, my dear.” He looked away, drew a breath, and said, “I am so very sorry, Judith, but your father has died.”

Her mouth opened and remained hanging as though she had no idea what she was required to say now. She could not have heard him correctly. “I…I…beg your…pardon?”

“Judith.” He squeezed her hands. “I wish I did not have to bring you such sad tidings even as you are waiting to hear about Anna, but your mother begged me to come and fetch you home. She is in dire need of your assistance now.”

“No, Miles, I did not hear you properly.” A roaring in her ears, and the world threatened to dissolve into gray.

“Here, let me help you.”

The sharp, pungent smell of sal volatile brought her upright with a jerk. Judith blinked quickly then looked at Miles, kneeling before her, his brow furrowed into a V. “Oh, dear.” Hot tears started from her eyes. “Oh, Miles, no. Tell me it isn’t true.”

“I am afraid it is true, my dear.” He stoppered the little vinaigrette and stood to slip it into a pocket. “There was another apoplexy, four days ago. I was there, talking to him. He was quite cheery, in fact, when he suddenly had another fit and was simply gone.”

Weeping so hard she could scarcely draw breath, Judith hunched over in her chair, suddenly wishing with all her heart for John’s strong arms around her. Pappa was gone. Never would she be able to look on the beloved face again or hear him scold or tease her. Or hold her and tell her everything would be all right. Nothing in her life would ever be right again. Her life had once more been irrevocably changed, and she was helpless to do anything to remedy it.

Strong arms encircled her, pulled her against a broad chest and urged her head onto a shoulder. She burrowed her head against him. “Oh, John. Pappa is dead.”

“It is Miles, Judith.”

Blinking, she sat up to find Miles seated on the chaise next to her. Before she could move away, he drew her back, repositioned her head against his shoulder once more. “You need a shoulder now, Judith. Please accept mine.”

Nodding, she burrowed her head against his chest, crying with her whole heart. When the raw ache of loss finally dulled a trifle, she sniffed and wiped her eyes on her sleeve. “I do not have a handkerchief, it seems. I didn’t think I would need one when I came down this morning.”

“Here, this should suffice.” Miles plucked a napkin from the tea tray and handed it to her.

“Thank you.” She wiped her streaming eyes and nose, now becoming stuffy. A reason she hated to cry. One could never breathe properly. “What is Mamma doing for a companion? She cannot stay alone, especially now.” Her mother must be beside herself with grief, and her daughter not there to console her. “I will make plans to leave immediately for Marholm.”

“You need not act in haste, dear. She had me write to her sister in Nottingham to come to her. I did not leave your mother until your aunt arrived, which was three days ago.”

“Aunt Lydia. Good. Mamma will need someone to lean on until I can arrive.” She must inform John and Kitty of the terrible news as soon as they returned home and begin to make preparations for the journey. Now the worst of the shock was over, she could gather her wits and begin to plan. John would likely allow her his carriage to return home, although she simply could not drag Kitty along as chaperone and take her from her Season. She would have to make do. “Do you stay long in London, Miles?”

“That will depend on your plans.” He gazed at her evenly. “I am here at your disposal. Whenever you are ready to leave, I will be honored to accompany you back to Marholm.”

“That is most generous of you.” Their family had certainly found a dear friend in Miles. What would they have done without him the past months? Judith herself might be dead and gone had Mr. Tucker still been the doctor attending her. Miles could not have done any more for her family if he had been family. “I will need to set the maids to packing. And I must inform John and his sister, Miss Tate, of my departure. John can write to Mr. Blanchard—” Judith stopped, filled with horror at the choice she would have to make.

“Who is Mr. Blanchard?”

“John’s solicitor.” What must she do? “My petition for guardianship of Anna comes before the Chancery Court next week.” If she wasn’t in Town, Lord Downing’s barrister would persuade the court that she didn’t even care enough to be present while the hearing ruling about her guardianship was taking place. Even if Mr. Blanchard told them of the unfortunate circumstances, Lord Downing would somehow make sure they didn’t take them into consideration.

“Miles.” Her heart broke again, but she could do nothing for her father now. Her mother would be fine in the care of Aunt Lydia, but only Judith could fight for Anna. “I fear I cannot go home. At least, not until the determination regarding Anna is made.”