Page 40 of A Countess of Convenience

“Your mother was adamant about your coming home. Should you not return to Ruecroft, she will be even more distraught than she was when I left.” Pursing his lips, Miles gave her a hard stare. “I had to leave laudanum drops with your aunt to be given to your mother at regular intervals. She’s had hysterics ever since your father died.”

Judith could well imagine, but it could not be helped. “I am sorry for it, Miles, but I must be in London if I am to have any hope of getting my daughter back. Mamma will understand that. And when I finally return with Anna, she will see what her sacrifice has gained us. I only wish Pappa could have seen Anna at home again.”

“He would have liked that, I’m…”

Miles continued speaking, but Judith ceased to hear him. Pappa was no longer head of her household. Anna would be returning to a home belonging to two widowed women, not one with a strong masculine presence. Judith would inherit Ruecroft and all Pappa’s holdings, but the courts would count that for nothing without a man to run the estate. Not even her presence at court could make up for this grievous lack. A lack that did not exist at Harper’s Grange.

“Judith. Judith?” Miles shook her shoulder, and she came out of her reverie, completely unaware what he had been talking about.

“Yes, I’m sorry. I was thinking about Pappa’s death—”

“No wonder you have grown pale. I was afraid I would need the vinaigrette again.” Rising, he smiled, the charming Miles returning. “I have an idea that there is something else I can prescribe for you that will brace you without the nasty effects of the salts.”

“I don’t think I need—”

“Doctor’s orders, my dear.” He strode to the sideboard, set out two crystal glasses, and poured a dark amber colored liqueur into them, a good bit more in one than the other. He re-stoppered the decanter, picked up the glasses, and brought them toward her. “Here, I think you could use this better than tea at this moment.” He handed her the glass with the smaller libation. “Drink up.”

Judith sniffed the spirits and wrinkled her nose. She’d had cognac before. Simon had encouraged her to drink with him in their early years together, and to please him she had, although she didn’t care for the taste. Still, today she would need such courage as the brandy could lend her. Bracing for the burn, she took a swallow and let it slide slowly down her throat. Without doubt, John kept the best spirits on hand.

Miles’s eyebrows rose. “You’ve had cognac before?”

“My husband liked me to drink with him when we first wed.” She took another sip and the tension that had twisted her in knots relaxed its hold. “I know ladies are not supposed to indulge, but I have to say,” she finished her glass and set it on the table, “it does have its uses.”

“I agree with you there.” Miles tossed the remainder of his glass down his throat and thumped the tumbler down beside hers. “It does help one gather one’s courage.”

“Courage? What do you need courage for, Miles?” Panic shot through Judith. There must be something else amiss at home. “Oh, God, there is more bad news?”

“No, no, my dear. I am sorry if I alarmed you.” He knelt in front of her and took her hand. “I meant I need the courage to ask you to become my wife.”

Chapter 16

For the second time in an hour, Judith was rendered speechless. After a stunned moment, she managed to speak. “Miles, how could you ask me that, today of all days? You just told me my father is dead. Now you wish me to marry you?” Anger at his thoughtlessness bubbled within her. “That is unforgivably uncouth and insensitive.” She rose and glared at him. “I think you had better leave now.”

Getting to his feet, Miles returned her gaze, although his eyes were not angry but kind. “Judith, I know my question comes at an abominable time, but you need to think about what I am offering.” He gestured to the chaise. “Will you please hear me out?”

Infuriated at him still, Judith wished for nothing more than to quit the room to go grieve in her bedroom alone. Nevertheless, she could not deny that having saved her life, Miles had a claim on her. She would do him the courtesy of hearing him out then dismiss him and retire to mourn. With a curt nod, she lowered herself back onto the chaise, withdrawing several inches from him in the process.

“My dear, I am completely aware that you wish neither to hear nor agree to my suit on this saddest of days. I wish I were not compelled to offer it under these circumstances, but if I am to do you the service necessary for your eventual happiness, I fear I must not wait for a more opportune moment.”

The earnestness of his face and the deference of his words mollified her somewhat. She nodded for him to continue.

“As I travelled to London, I had much time in the carriage to think about your family and you, and the plight you now face due to your father’s death. Your mother tells me she is amply provided for, as are you, in your father’s will. The estate, even though it is not extensive, will still need a strong hand to run it if you are to realize its full potential as an asset. Your father did not employ a steward, preferring to run Ruecroft by himself. At the very least, you will need to hire a steward, or a man of business, to continue to keep the property on a paying basis.” Miles’s countenance was subdued, respectful. “In this I will be able to help you as I have learned from Farringdon’s steward the character and references necessary for candidates to such a position.”

She’d not considered what would need to be done at Ruecroft, but then she’d only just learned that the responsibility for such decisions now lay with her. Miles had had days to think of such things. Nevertheless, she was grateful for the suggestion. “I thank you, Miles, for that generous offer of assistance. It does not, however, entail my marrying you to gain the knowledge of how to hire a steward.”

“I know it does not, Judith. But there are other considerations you may not have thought of where your happiness may hinge on marriage.” His earnest demeanor and tone helped lower Judith’s belligerence.

“Such as?”

“The courts may look more favorably on your petition for guardianship if you are married.”

She nodded. “John and I have talked of that, but we had hoped the familial structure of two grandparents plus a parent would be enough to sway the courts to rule in my favor.”

“But as that most important male figure is no longer a part of the family, they may not be so inclined to put aside Lord Downing’s guardianship.”

“You are completely correct, Miles. I had actually come to that conclusion a few moments ago.” It was particularly sad that she could not even mourn Pappa properly at the moment for having to puzzle out what to do in order to regain Anna. But he would understand that.

“Then you take my point precisely.” A sad smile touched Miles’s lips. “Your circumstances have changed, so you must act swiftly to remedy the lack of a man within the household.” Hesitantly, he took her hand. “I would never have spoken so soon to you, Judith, because of your recent widowhood and now an additional bereavement, but I believe you may have guessed the attachment I had begun to feel for you before you left Ruecroft. Something more than attachment, in truth, but rather sincere regard and affection.”