Alas, the second she stepped outside, she regretted it because the cold air nipped her cheeks, and she shivered. Determined not to show her discomfort and prove him right once more, she gestured toward the lake at the end of the gravel path before they set into motion.
“I beg your pardon for my stepmother. She should not have interviewed you the way she did,” she started, feeling it was only polite to do so.
He offered her his arm, and she took it without thinking. It felt odd to walk arm in arm with a gentleman again, for it had been years, and somewhere inside her, a little voice whispered just how much she’d missed this.
“You need not apologize on her behalf. I was not bothered by her questions. Lady Worcester only means well. She wants the best for those in her life, which is an admirable quality.”
His words came out smooth and full of genuine admiration, which gave her pause, as she’d been unaware there was any connection between Matilda and this young man.
“You know my stepmother?”
He shrugged, and the wind blew strands of hair into his face, which he swiftly tucked behind his ear. From this angle, she saw how sharp his features were and how angular his face was. He was a handsome man, she couldn’t deny that. No wonder he was so popular among the ladies.
She pushed that thought aside, annoyed for allowing herself to think of him in such a way at all.
“I know her younger brother, the Earl of Marble—or rather Iknewhim. He has passed away, as you know.”
Judith wanted to nod in agreement, but then she realized that she hadn’t known this at all!
The truth was, she didn’t know a whole lot about her stepmother. Matilda’s appearance in the former Marquess’s life had been rather sudden, but she’d found her place in the family quickly and seamlessly. And because she’d made her father so very happy, Judith had never bothered to try to question her presence. Though neither had she tried to find out much about her life.
Getting to know Matilda hadn’t been something Judith ever considered, for by the time she appeared, Judith had been involved in a serious courtship, one she’d assumed would lead to marriage.
When she’d ended that arrangement, Judith had planned for another gentleman to come into her life and whisk her away.There wasn’t a need to get to know Matilda, as she’d figured they’d hardly see one another…
Little had she known she’d remain in her father’s home for three years, living with her stepmother.
“I did not know,” she admitted. “When did he pass?”
The Duke eyed her curiously, as if her lack of knowledge truly took him by surprise.
“Five years ago. He drowned when the ship he was on sank in the English Channel. You really did not know?”
“No. I suppose Matilda and I lead very different lives and didn’t really speak to one another about her past.” Judith left out the fact that she’d never bothered to ask.
“It would benefit you to get to know her better, especially if you intend to stay in one another’s lives. She is a kind soul, from all I know of her. Her brother was only three years my senior, thus we knew one another well at Eton and after. He always spoke very highly of his sister. She has a true, gentle and kind heart, and on the few occasions I met her prior to this, she had always impressed me with her gentle nature. Although I doubt she remembers meeting me—it was many years ago.”
“She never mentioned it,” Judith replied.
“In any case, let me say that your stepmother would not harm a fly. She was just curious, as any good mother would be when a gentleman caller presents himself without prior notice.”
“She is not my mother,” Judith said, her voice sharper than intended.
“I know. That is not what I meant. I only meant it is natural for her to want the best for you. Thus, you need not apologize for her actions. She had a tragic life. Her first husband had a reputation, and she seeks to protect those around her.”
“That I do know. He was a drunkard who dallied with his servants,” Judith scoffed.
“Indeed. From what I know, your stepmother was very unhappy in the marriage, and I will say that his death must’ve come as a relief to her. I admire that she was able to embrace marriage and life in general once more. Of course, one must do that after tragedy. There is no other way.”
She looked up at him, wondering what sort of tragedy had befallen him to make such a statement. Or was it just a platitude?
“Which…” He looked at her, slowing his pace a little. “… brings me to what I wanted to talk to you about.”
Here it was. The reason for his visit. Judith braced herself.
“I think that it cannot be denied that you struggled somewhat this afternoon.”
Instantly, anger ignited within Judith, and she spun around. “Well, I cannot very well be blamed for that, seeing how you threw me to the wolves without any kind of preparation.”
