Page 46 of A Countess of Convenience

“Hmm. How long have you known Lord Haxby?”

Judith’s explanation wound on and on, and she tried to continue smiling pleasantly as the Duchess in return attempted to catch her out in some falsehood. The better to see if you are breeding, my dear. At last, the Duchess frankly took out the quizzer once more and stared pointedly at Judith’s waist.

Ignoring the woman’s behavior was the only solution, so Judith kept up a constant stream of conversation in hopes the Duchess would grow tired of her subterfuge and either walk away or ask her outright if she was increasing. After another few minutes, a very unhappy Duchess retreated to her sister, the Marchioness of Combe, to relay what she was sure she now knew about Judith’s ‘delicate condition.’”

“How are your holding up, sweetheart?” John’s mellow voice in her ear sent a measure of relief through her. His presence was always such a comfort but never more than now.

“Better than I expected, although I fear we will both be sorely tried by the end of the breakfast.” Gazing around the dining room, she noted several people approaching, avid curiosity plain on their faces. Everyone else was alternately peering at them then turning back to whisper together.

“Pay them no mind, love.” John grabbed a fairy cake from a plate piled high with the sugary confections and held it before her face. “Taste these delightful treats and forget your cares in a moment of bliss.” He continued, sotto voce, “The more contented we look, the fewer questions we may receive.”

Pursing her lips, she gave him a rueful look before laughing and taking a bite of the cake he held out. It was heavenly on the tongue. To get every last scrap of icing, she darted her tongue out to lick the icing from around her lips. John’s strangled expression caught her by surprise, until her action registered with her and her cheeks heated. Leave it to him to be aroused by an innocent gesture.

“You certainly cannot do that again, my dear.” He popped the remaining bite of the fairy cake into his own mouth. “I am many things, but a saint I am not. We will occasion even more scandalous talk should we need to leave the celebration in order to ‘rest’ a while before returning to our guests.”

“I will keep in mind your rampant desires, my lord, before performing another simple action. I had no idea you would become aroused by simply licking my lips.” She suited the action to her words.

To her delight, John stared at her mouth and swallowed hard.

“I cannot imagine that such a small action,” she did it again, “would inflame you so.”

“Sweetheart, you had best take care.” Eyes bright with lust, John dragged her in front of him and wrapped his arms around her, pulling her so close against him his hardness was apparent even though their clothing. Excitement speared through her. “I feel the need for a ‘rest’ coming upon me. Quickly.” He looked up and broke into a smile. “Good morning, Sir Alfred, Lady Rhodes.”

The couple had come upon them so quickly Judith had no time to compose herself, other than to fix a smile to her lips and pray her clothing did not look mussed.

“Lord and Lady Haxby, you are the picture of the happy couple.” Lady Rhodes, a youngish lady in a bright blue gown, curtsied. “We were so pleased to get your invitation, my lord. It has been some time since we had seen you.”

“In that I have been remiss, my lady. I have been from London on business much of the past spring, but now my wife and I will be fixed in Town for the foreseeable future. She is endeavoring to regain guardianship of her daughter.” John gazed fondly on her and patted her arm. “During her prolonged illness after her first husband died, her father-in-law thought it best that the child become his ward. Now that Lady Haxby is well again and with our marriage, she is ready and able to take over her daughter’s care once more.”

“Wondered about the speed of your marriage, Haxby.” The older, jolly-looking Sir Alfred was apparently a very candid soul. “When we last met at the end of February you were heading up north with never a care in the world. I told Lady Rhodes there must be something afoot for Haxby to up and marry so suddenly.”

“Nothing so much afoot, Sir Alfred. More a run of good luck.” John remained pleasant, although where her arm rested in the crook of his elbow, the tension had hardened his muscles to rock. “Lady Haxby and I grew up together. Her father’s estate adjoined ours. We had lost touch after she married, but when she returned a widow this past spring, we renewed our connection. Her father’s recent death alone dictated a short courtship and swift marriage if I was to be of help in securing her daughter’s guardianship.” His gaze on Sir Albert narrowed. “Otherwise, we might have enjoyed a longer, more formal courtship that would’ve taken into consideration her mourning period.”

“Just so, old chap. Just so.” Sir Albert seemed to wither under John’s intense scrutiny. “I said to Lady Rhodes it must be something extraordinary to make Haxby marry in such haste. Well done, my lord. Damsel in distress and all that.”

“Precisely, Sir Albert. You know something of that, I believe.” John looked innocent but his words and tone belied it, as did Sir Albert’s reaction.

The older gentleman started, paled, and took his wife’s arm. “I do indeed, my lord. But we mustn’t keep the bride and groom, must we, my dear? Wish you happy, Haxby. Very happy indeed.” The couple hurried off as though being chased.

“What was that about?” Unless she missed her guess, John had somehow managed to rid them of the nosy couple.

“A little warning shot. Sir Alfred should take the hint and try to squelch any scandalous talk about us.”

“Why would he do that?”

“Five months after he married Lady Rhodes, she was delivered of a healthy baby boy, Sir Albert’s heir.” John grabbed a glass of champagne and drank it off at a gulp.

“So he actually did what Society suspects we did.” Judith had to admit she wasn’t shocked. Such passions erupted, and quite often there were consequences.

“Actually, he did something much more noble, though few know of it.” John steered her toward a quiet corner. “The child, when it grew older, resembled neither mother nor father, although he did bear a striking resemblance to a footman in the lady’s house. You might not remember a footman of ours who left, Nathanial?”

“Lord yes, I do. Kitty does as well, I’ll wager. We used to summon him for the smallest things just to be able to look at him.” The servant had been tall, with bright blue eyes, curly blond hair, and the face of a Greek god. Judith jerked her head up to stare at her husband. “No. Really? And Sir Albert knew?”

“He did. But he needed an heir and took pity on the lady. I daresay I’m the only one who knows the truth, other than her family. So Sir Albert understands my altruism well.”

“It is comforting to know there are other men in the world such as you, who will make a sacrifice for another in desperate need.” She leaned against him, at once terribly grateful for John and all he had done for her.

“Somehow I do not find this sacrifice at all difficult.” He kissed her brow and the warmth of his lips spread contentment through her.