“Oh, it is how Joanna and Kenneth first met,” Rosy explained, and then she recounted the day Kenneth had burst into the manor, demanding to speak to their father.
Judith’s eyes sparkled with interest as she leaned in. “Really? So, there were problems with the orphanage even then?”
Joanna hesitated for a moment before responding vaguely, “Yes, there was some delay with pledged funds. I suspect that has happened again now.”
She was reluctant to speak ill of her father in front of Judith. Even if he had done something wrong, she did not want the whole world to know about it. After all, it would cause a scandal for the entire family and make it impossible for her sisters to find husbands.
Sally added, “You see, many people pledge money to charitable causes but may not follow through with the actual donation. It’s unfortunately common.”
“Father says it is because of the name.Our Ladyimplies a catholic cause, but it is not a religious institution. He thinks it ought to be changed,” Rosy chimed in.
Joanna regarded her youngest sister. Rosy had always adored their father and could see no wrong in him. Joanna sometimes wished she still had that naïve view of the man who’d raised them, but she no longer did. Still, she wasn’t going to take her sister’s opinion away from her.
“But how is His Grace involved in the orphanage? Why does he care so much?” Judith asked.
Joanna, her gaze shifting toward the vibrant blooms surrounding them, explained, “It was dear to his father and brother—especially his brother, Edward. Kenneth does everything he can to honor his memory and ensure that the orphanage thrives.”
Judith’s eyes sparkled with mischief. “You’ve truly met a prince, haven’t you? Rescues you from a fire, cares about children, and is devoted to his family. You must be over the moon, my dear.”
Joanna felt a warm blush creeping up her cheeks, acknowledging Kenneth’s virtues with a shy smile. However, a sudden awkwardness settled in when she noticed the glint in Judith’s eyes. It was a look she had seen before—Judith was thinking about her father. In her eyes, Joanna had everything she’d dreamed of, while her father had been cast out into the cold.
This wasn’t true, not really, for it was unclear what Joanna and Kenneth’s relationship would culminate in. Although, that wasn’t how Judith saw it.
Clearing her throat, Joanna replied, “Yes, I’m glad things have turned out this way. I hope everyone involved finds happiness.”
Just then, Rudy, who had been dozing on his back, rolled over and climbed onto Joanna’s lap, licking her face.
“You see? Everyone loves you, Joanna,” Judith pointed out with a touch of bitterness.
Joanna glanced at her while setting Rudy down on the blanket. Something was not right with the young woman, it was easy enough to tell. Joanna looked over at Sally and motioned for with her chin to leave her and Judith alone.
The two had such a good rapport with one another that Sally understood at once and rose. “Rosy, will you come to the manor with me? I want to get more sweetmeats and lemonade.”
Enticed by the promise of sweetmeats, Rosy got up, and the two departed swiftly.
Joanna took a deep breath and faced Judith. While the two had already talked about the incident between Joanna and Lord Worcester, it was clear that all wasn’t well.
“Judith, you do not seem happy. I can’t help but feel that you have some resentment toward me because of the broken arrangement with your father,” Joanna began, bracing herself.
Judith waved her hand in a nonchalant manner. “Oh, no. I am not upset with you.” She then looked down at her hands, a strand of hair hanging in her face. “I am having a horrid day. Days… I… You might have noticed that I have been here more often than… well, ever.”
Joanna acknowledged this with a simple nod.
“It is because I do not want to be at home. You see, my father visited the matchmaker, and the woman he’s been matched with is positively dreadful. They have spent much time together these past few weeks, and I can’t stand the thought of him ending up with her.” Judith’s shoulders dropped.
Joanna sat back. She had not expected this. For one, she’d somehow thought that Lord Worcester would take some time to process her rejection. That was the impression she’d gotten from her father’s reaction to the entire situation. Of course, her father could not be relied on to get accurate information, that she knew.
Still, she’d sensed that the Marquess had taken the rejection hard. But if he was already courting someone else, then that had not been the case. Just over a month had passed since she’d ended their arrangement, and already he was so invested in someone else that Judith feared they may wed.
A wave of sympathy washed over Joanna, and she placed a comforting hand on Judith’s shoulder. “I am so very sorry to hear that. It must be challenging for you. Do you really think your father might marry her?”
Judith sighed, her worry evident. “I’m afraid he might. He’s been lonely. This is why he was eager for you to marry him. When you would not, he instantly sought out the matchmaker. I think he longs to fill the hole in that my mother’s death has left in his heart.”
Joanna nodded understandingly. “It is early days, he might change his mind yet. Or she will turn out much nicer than you think.”
“No!” Judith replied in a sharper-than-anticipated tone. “She thinks she knows everything. She tells me what to do, what to wear, how to talk. He has hardly known her for three weeks, and she acts as if she is the lady of the house. If you’d married him, at least I’d have had some freedom, but…” She shook her head. “That is not to say that I blame you. You would not have made a good match, and besides… the Duke…”
Joanna watched her and sought the right things to say. “Perhaps she is overly eager and will change,” she suggested. “Your father might change her over time also.”
