Joanna beamed, grateful to have the little dog in her life, for he provided much comfort when she needed it most. When she rose, her eyes fell on another carriage parked further away.
“We have a caller?” she asked as Rudy stood on his hind legs and pawed at her leg.
“We do. Lady Judith. She came for tea. She was upset when she heard you were not here. She’ll be happy to see you.”
Joanna hesitated.She and Judith had a peculiar history, and even though they had made peace at the ball, they hadn’t seen each other since the fire. Beside her, Rudy let out a little whine, and she looked down at him.
“I think he still needs to walk, and?—”
“I’ll take him. I was already going to,” Rosy offered. “Come on, Rudy,” she cooed as she escorted the dog to his favorite tree.
Joanna heard laughter from the drawing room as she shrugged off her cape and handed it to the butler. She straightened up and headed that way, a smile plastered on her face. She spotted Sally and Judith sitting at a table by the window as she entered.
Judith was dressed in a lovely mauve gown, and her hair was adorned with lovely bandeaux that shimmered in the light. “Joanna,” she said with a smile, putting down her teacup as she got up to hug Joanna. “How are you? I was so worried about you after that dreadful fire.”
Joanna sat between Judith and Sally while her sister poured her a cup of tea, her eyes narrowed as she waited for her reply. “I am well, thank you. It was a shock, and I had a cough for two days, but it is all gone now. You?”
“Oh, the same. My father has been tending to me day and night. It was rather claustrophobic!” Judith said and then chuckled.
As always, Joanna’s stomach tightened when the Marquess of Worcester was mentioned.
“But I am sure it was also comforting,” Sally noted.
Judith nodded. “Indeed. He tends to behave like a mother hen these days, since my mother… Anyway, I hear you went to call on the Duke of Wells?” She looked at Joanna over her teacup.
“Yes, how is he? You were gone a while, so I thought that had to mean he was available to talk,” Sally asked in a curious voice.
Joanna, mindful of the delicate nature of her recent conversation with Kenneth and Judith’s presence, opted for a reassuring yet vague response. “We were able to talk, yes. He has been unwell, as I thought, but he is recovering. His mother saw to him this morning, and his friend Leonard is with him now,” she replied as cheerily as she could manage.
“Well, that is good to hear. It would not have made for a very good story if the hero of Almack’s was struck down with some sort of ailment after rescuing you.” Judith giggled as she played with the chocolate drop on her plate. “All the scandal sheets are writing about him, saying he is such a prince to have rescued you in such a manner. And with his tragic past and all.”
Joanna’s stomach twisted further.
Did everyone knew about his past but me? Or is this spreading now because of what happened?
“He is recovering,” she repeated and looked at the brown liquid in her cup, swirling it so that the lump of sugar inside dissolved quickly.
“Good, very good. You have to bring him to my cousin’s ball next weekend. She is having her coming out ball, and everyone who is anyone will be there. My uncle has been trying to get the Prince Regent to come, but I dare say he hasn’t the food budget for it.” Judith giggled.
Sally’s eyes grew wide, though she suppressed a smile. “Judith, that is not a kind thing to say,” she scolded.
“I’m jesting, of course,” Judith said quickly, yet a giggle still escaped her lips. “But really, you will have to come. Ηe will be well enough to attend by then, surely?”
Joanna nodded, even though she had to know what Kenneth’s condition would be by then. He had appeared rather fragile, and she wasn’t even sure he’d be even willing to go to the orphanage with her. She’d suggested it spontaneously, since she hadn’t expected Leonard to barge in on them and had to give a reason for her presence. Kenneth had appeared eager to go, but she’d have to wait and see how he felt before suggesting another dance.
“Perhaps I will tell you next week. We are visiting Our Lady of Mount Carmel’s Orphanage this weekend, and we will see how he feels,” Joanna replied.
Sally raised an eyebrow. “The orphanage?”
“Yes. He has a keen interest in it as well,” Joanna said.
Judith grinned. “A daring hero and a man with a heart of gold. I see why you chose him over the others.”
Joanna felt the sting of the statement but had no time to find a suitable reply because Rosy burst into the room with Rudy, who immediately jumped on Joanna’s lap.
“Who is a daring hero?” Rosy asked as she sat on the chaise. “The Duke?”
“Who else?” Judith said with a smile. “I was just congratulating Joanna on her choice of husband.”
