Page 48 of A Countess of Convenience

“Lady Haxby, may I wish you happy on your wedding day? I am truly sorry to have caused you distress on what should have been the perfect day for you and Lord Haxby.” Blanchard bowed and reseated himself. “What was it you asked, my lady?”

John headed to the sideboard.

If only ladies were allowed such libations. Simon’s one good characteristic was that he had encouraged her to act outside of Society’s edicts, at least in private.

“Even though the courts have upheld Lord Downing’s guardianship, is there no grounds under which he might be removed? If we could show a despicable character, for instance.” If anyone could speak to that it was her or Dora. “Or if he was a known gambler or swindler? Surely anyone who could be shown to have severe flaws in their character would not be allowed to be the guardian of a minor child?”

“What can you tell me about the gentleman that is of an improper nature? Is he insolvent?” Blanchard rose and went directly to the small writing desk. “May I, your lordship?”

Sipping his libation, John nodded. His gaze shifted from Blanchard to Judith, and he smiled.

Blanchard availed himself of pen and ink and produced a small, leatherbound notebook. Turning its pages until he located a clean one, he dipped the pen, and held it poised.

“I believe Lord Downing is quite wealthy.” Judith wrinkled her nose. “He has, as you know, settled a large amount on Anna.”

“Is there any evidence he is of an immoral character? Does he indulge in adultery?”

Had the question been about the man’s son, she’d have been happy to answer in the affirmative. The father, however… “To my knowledge, he has never so indulged.”

For such a wicked individual, there seemed to be nothing the courts counted as improper behavior. “He was of a cruel disposition to his daughter and might extend that cruelty toward his granddaughter.”

At last, Blanchard began scratching in his notebook. “Were you witness to these acts of cruelty?”

“Yes, he constantly belittled her, browbeat her. He has, in fact, banished her to one of his properties in Yorkshire as punishment for displeasing him.” Perhaps these atrocities would gain some ground with the court.

“Can she be fetched to testify?” Blanchard looked at Judith eagerly. “Such acts toward a minor female should cast doubt in the minds of the members of the court.”

“My lord?” Judith looked to John. “Might we have her brought back to London?”

He nodded immediately. “I will send a message to her first thing tomorrow and provide the funds for her return journey.” John turned to the solicitor, scratching away. “How far do you think Miss Harper’s testimony will go toward overturning the judgment?”

“That is difficult to say, my lord.” Blanchard laid the pen down and looked at them both. “I am frankly astonished that they did not find in your favor. In a similar situation, some years ago, Lord Hardwicke agreed that children have a natural right to be with their mother and took a child from the guardianship of the grandfather and returned it to the mother.”

“Pity Lord Hardwicke did not rule on our case today.” John came to stand beside her, his hand on her shoulder radiating a comforting warmth.

Our case, not her case. As far as John was concerned, they were partners in this from now on, for which she was oh so grateful. She didn’t think she could go on alone against Lord Downing.

“I will take this information and continue to look into previous cases that are similar and might provide a precedent. In the meantime, if you can produce Miss Harper or if you find any other immoral traits of character against Lord Downing, please inform me at once.” The solicitor pocketed his notebook. “I will contact you when I have news. Good evening, my lord, my lady.”

When Blanchard had gone, John sat beside her and took her hand. “Allow me to have our dinner served upstairs, my dear. You have had an extremely stressful day. Let me take an additional burden of dressing for dinner from you tonight.”

Her strength at an end, Judith leaned on him and sighed. “That would be wonderful, John. I am terribly worn out by all the excitement and heartbreak.”

He kissed her head. “Let us go now. Porter can dress you for bed and we will dine very informally for our first meal as husband and wife.”

As they made their way upstairs, Judith still leaning on her husband’s strong shoulder, she couldn’t help but wonder what other firsts awaited them as husband and wife. They had not discussed marital relations. After the stresses of the day, she wasn’t certain she could manage the intimacies she should be looking forward to. But what had become rapidly apparent to her was that her husband, who had championed her all through the day, would surely continue to do so this evening. Without a doubt, she had chosen wisely.

* * * *

Dinner had been delicious, at least as much as Judith could manage. Her appetite had fallen away with the first bite, although she carried on valiantly, at least tasting all the dishes John had had brought to them.

True to his word, they had dined in her bedroom, she in her nightgown, he in his robe, more informally than she’d ever done before. Perhaps the glimpses of John’s excellent physique at the throat of his blue silk banyan had actually stolen her appetite. Of course, any bride might be nervous on her wedding night.

They had finished slices of the white sugar cake that had been served at the breakfast and were sipping their tea when John set his cup down and reached for her hand. “Judith, before we married, we talked about whether we should marry, but we never actually spoke about how such a marriage, if it came to be, would be realized. If we would have a full marriage from the start or perhaps move more gradually into our physical intimacies.”

“Is that what you wish, John?” She frowned, confused. “I assumed when you came to dinner dressed as you are, that such a question was moot.”

He laughed and kissed her hand. “You are the most wonderful wife.” Indicating his banyan, he said, “I wore this simply to be dressed as you are, so you wouldn’t feel uncomfortable with me. I swore to have no expectations this evening.” Stroking his thumb over her hand in soft caresses, he set her pulse to racing. “If you wish, I will repair to my room and we will spend the night apart. This day, these past days, have been a grave trial to you. I do not wish for our wedding night to be one as well.”