Page 20 of An Impulsive Kiss (Captivating Kisses #2)

J udson sat at White’s, Julian and Con his companions. So much had changed in the last two weeks since his marriage to Lucy. While Julian had always been open and offered friendship to him, Con had finally come around and was treating him decently, seeing his sister was happy in the marriage she had made.

He and Lucy had attended a few events of the Season, but they had also enjoyed time alone. They had taken walks about town, visiting bookshops and Gunter’s. Gone for drives in Hyde Park. He was even teaching her how to play chess, which she was picking up with an alarming speed. His Lucy was not only sweet-natured, but she had a bit of a competitive streak when it came to games.

Judson only had one thing left to do—and that was tell Antonia Amato goodbye.

He had sent his mistress a note yesterday, saying that he would call upon her today to discuss an important matter. He supposed Antonia would know what was going to happen. Judson would not leave her destitute. He would make certain she was taken care of until she found another protector.

“How are the changes to your townhouse coming?” Julian asked, taking a sip of his tea.

“Rather well,” he replied. “Lucy and I have been from top to bottom of the place, opening rooms and having dust covers removed from furniture so we can see what’s actually there. Actually, I believe she is issuing an invitation to tea to family for tomorrow afternoon.” He paused. “It will be the first time I have ever entertained—and that we have entertained together.”

These two men had known him slightly at school, so they understood what a loner he was. Still, Lucy was bringing him out from his shell. It was almost as if he were a caterpillar, transforming into a butterfly, spreading his wings. He liked having friends. He liked having family.

And he especially liked having a wife.

Lucy had proven to be adventurous in the bedroom. She was open to any suggestion, and their lovemaking was something he looked forward to daily.

“I have a few errands to run,” he said, excusing himself. “I will see you at tonight’s ball.”

His friends bid him farewell, and Judson left White’s, focused on the task at hand. He didn’t think Antonia would mind that he was ending their arrangement. They saw one another infrequently, and she might enjoy being with a man who spent more time with her than Judson ever had.

Since it was a nice day, he decided to walk the few blocks to the house he rented for his mistress. On his way, he concentrated on what to say to Antonia.

When he arrived, he was admitted by Mrs. Worth, the housekeeper. Judson paid for a housekeeper, cook, and maid, as well as taking care of the rent and other household expenses. He had also given Antonia a few baubles, which he hoped she would know she was free to sell. In fact, he should bring that up to her during their discussion now.

“How are you today, Mrs. Worth?” he asked the housekeeper.

“Very well, Lord Huntsberry,” the woman replied. “Miss Antonia is waiting for you in the parlor. Will you be wanting tea?”

“No, thank you, Mrs. Worth. I will not be staying long.”

Her brow creased in concern. “Are you ending things, my lord? I am only asking because it means I’ll need to look for a new position.”

Her words gave him pause. He planned to take Lucy to Huntsworth in a few days so that she might see the estate and view the house. He would be in need of many servants to run the place when they opened it up.

“If Miss Antonia does not need your services anymore, perhaps I will be able to assist you in finding employment.”

“My lord?”

Although he knew it was Lucy’s domain to hire servants, Mrs. Worth and Cook were excellent at their jobs, and Antonia had always mentioned how pleased she had been with both women.

“I will be opening my country house soon,” he explained. “An entire staff will be needed. I would be happy, if you are open to the idea, for my wife to interview you. Cook, as well.”

He had eaten many a meal Cook had prepared, and he thought her even more talented than his other cook. Still, he wanted to leave the final decision in Lucy’s hands. Judson decided when he returned this afternoon, he would discuss the matter with his wife. It might be a delicate conversation, since he would have to admit to having once kept a mistress, but he hated to lose good servants.

“I know my way, Mrs. Worth. No need to escort me. Think on what I have said, and let me know if you are interested when I depart.”

“Of course, my lord,” she responded.

Going to the door of the parlor, he knocked upon it and entered, finding Antonia seated on the settee, sewing in her lap. She placed what she was working on in the basket at her feet and rose to greet him. Offering Judson her hands, he took them and kissed both her cheeks.

“Have a seat, Huntsberry,” she said, setting herself again on the settee as he sat beside her.

Before he could speak, Antonia said, “I read about your marriage in the newspapers. I hope that it will be a happy one, since you have always been such an unhappy man, my lord.”

He placed a hand over hers. “It was nothing you ever did, Antonia. Know that you gave me some of the few happy times in my life. I am sorry if I have been neglectful of you. As for my marriage, I am very satisfied in my choice of wife.”

She smiled warmly at him. “I am delighted to hear that. And I expect you are here to end things between us. You have been most generous in our relationship. You demanded very little of me or my time, and you gave me everything I could possibly want.” She paused. “Other than a babe.”

Judson had always told his mistress he did not want to get a child off her and had used French letters when they coupled.

“I want to thank you for the time we had together,” he said sincerely. “I know you will be looking for a new protector now, and I want you to feel free to remain here as long as you wish. There is no need to hurry into a new arrangement. Take your time and choose wisely.”

Surprisingly, Antonia burst into tears, something he had never seen before. He had overheard other men discuss how their mistresses used tears as a weapon to wheedle things out of them, but that had never been the case with Antonia.

Placing his hand on her back and rubbing it, he asked, “What is wrong? Do you not wish to form another liaison with a titled gentleman?”

“I want to go home to Tuscany,” she told him, removing a handkerchief from her bosom and mopping away her tears.

Gazing at him solemnly, Antonia said, “I have always been faithful to you, Huntsberry. In fact, I have never had relations with any other man in England.” She smiled ruefully. “But my heart has always belonged to Luigi.”

This was the first time his mistress had ever spoken of home, much less another man.

“Who is this Luigi to you?” he asked gently.

“My first love,” she admitted. “We both knew I had a gift in my voice, and Luigi urged me to stretch my wings. He told me he would always love me and that he did not want to limit me. I left him when we were but sixteen years of age in order to pursue opportunities to sing.”

Judson had met Antonia two years ago. Although he was not terribly fond of music, he did go to the opera upon occasion and had heard her sing. The diva’s voice was high and clear, moving him.

Shortly after he’d first heard her perform, something had ruptured in her throat, leaving her unable to sing at the professional level. At first, the doctors said if she merely rested her voice, she would recover. That had not come to pass—and that was when he had stepped in, offering to make her his mistress.

“While I have enjoyed our arrangement, Huntsberry, I am tired of the gloomy weather here in London. On a whim, I wrote to Luigi a year ago, and he replied. He has never wed. He misses me.”

Antonia stood, brushing away her tears, and moved to the window, looking out.

“I told him that my days of performing had come to an end. I even wrote to him of how I was managing to get along now.” she turned her gaze to him. “He did not care. He wants me back. He has offered marriage.”

“Do you want to return to him?”

She nodded. “I have longed for Luigi—and his babes—for many years. While I do not regret pursuing music and singing to crowds who cheered for me, at heart I am a simple girl who only wants to go home to my true love.”

Judson went and joined her. Taking her hands in his, he raised them to his lips, kissing them tenderly. “I will see that happen. What does Luigi do for a living?”

“He is a shopkeeper in Sienna. His father passed away three years ago, and Luigi stepped into his shoes.”

“I will make the necessary arrangements for you to travel to Italy.”

She frowned. “It will be expensive, my lord.”

“Do not worry about the cost. I owe you that much.”

Antonia smiled at him. “You are a good and generous man. I cannot thank you enough for taking care of me when I was at my lowest.”

Normally, Judson would brush off such a compliment, not believing it to be sincere. Since Lucy had come into his life, however, he wanted to be the best man he could be. For her.

Graciously, he said, “Thank you for the compliment, Antonia. And thank you for being here for me.”

She studied him a moment. “I am glad this new wife of yours makes you happy, my lord. Most men in your position would have kept their mistress. It says a lot in regard to your character that you came here to end our relationship to remain faithful to her, much less that you will help me to return home to Tuscany.”

Antonia walked him to the door. Judson stepped outside and turned to face her.

“I hope you and Luigi have a good life together. We will not see one another again, but I will wish you the best.”

She leaned up on tiptoe and kissed him briefly. “Lady Huntsberry is a very fortunate woman. Goodbye, my lord.”

He watched her close the door and then he started down the street, looking for a hansom cab to take him home.

To Lucy.

To love.

*

Lucy finished her errands and found herself eager to see Judson. To say that her husband was consuming her every waking thought would not be an exaggeration. As she had finalized her order for new draperies just now, her mind had wandered three different times to Judson. She thought him the most handsome man in all of London and the most caring, as well.

And he was hers. Truly hers.

She looked forward to the time they would spend together in the country. Already, she imagined the children they would have and how they would enjoy playing with them. Already, her marriage was turning into one which was very satisfying, with love blooming in her heart.

Perhaps she should surprise him. Judson had mentioned going to White’s as she had left their townhouse this morning.

As she exited the shop, she looked up to her driver. “Head to White’s. We shall wait a bit to see if Lord Huntsberry comes out. It would be good to offer him a ride home in his own carriage.”

“Yes, my lady,” the coachman said, biting back a smile.

A footman assisted her into the carriage, and Lucy settled back against the plush cushions. Wicked thoughts danced through her head. If she were lucky enough to actually see her husband exiting White’s, perhaps they could draw the curtains and tell their driver to take his time heading home.

Giving them time to do all kinds of wonderful things to each other.

Oh, Judson had been a bad influence on her. Lucy smiled. Or perhaps the best influence.

The coach came to stand across the street from White’s. She would wait half an hour before asking the coachman to head home. She only wished she could step inside the hallowed halls of the gentlemen’s club in order to see whether or not Judson was still there, but that simply wasn’t the done thing.

Then Lucy spied him coming through the door, her heart speeding up, and she wondered if it might ever grow old, catching sight of him.

Before she could call out to Judson, he strode down the street with purpose. The footman appeared at the window.

“Shall we catch up to his lordship, my lady?” the servant asked. “The coachman wishes for your instructions.”

“Yes, please,” she replied.

With the heavy stream of traffic, it was impossible to turn the carriage around, and so the driver took them down the block before turning on a side street. He turned twice more, eventually taking them in front of White’s again, this time headed in the opposite direction. Lucy hoped they hadn’t lost Judson and leaned out the window, finally spying him far ahead. She relaxed against the cushions, knowing they would soon catch up to him.

After a few minutes, the coach came to a halt. She peered outside, seeing her husband entering a townhouse more than a block ahead.

“Why have we stopped?” she called out.

The footman appeared next to the carriage. “It seems a costermonger’s cart of vegetables was struck by another carriage, my lady. The cart has toppled over, and vegetables are strewn everywhere.” He glanced ahead. “I think the carriage which struck the cart is having a problem with its wheel. It’s caused a bit of a mess.”

“See me out,” she instructed, and the footman opened the door. Looking up to the coachman, Lucy said, “I will go ahead and meet Lord Huntsberry. Pull over next to the pavement here. I will return shortly.”

“Yes, my lady,” the driver replied.

Lucy moved along the pavement, taking a moment to view the accident that had clogged the road. She proceeded past it and stopped at the next block, not quite certain which townhouse Judson had entered.

And curious now as to who he was visiting.

Not wanting to knock upon the doors of a few strangers, she waited a few minutes, hoping Judson would come out soon. Deciding her idea had been foolish, she started to return to the carriage when the front door to a townhouse three down from her opened.

Lucy stood and watched as the dark-haired beauty kissed Judson. Her belly clenched, tears springing to her eyes.

Her husband had a mistress.

She should not be surprised by this information. It was common knowledge that many men of the ton did have one, both before and after their marriages. She had thought things would be different between her and Judson.

The past two weeks now seemed like a lie.

Quickly, she turned to hurry away, only to see that the marquess’ vehicle had made it through the traffic and now pulled up beside her.

Lucy glanced up at the coachman, refusing to meet the driver’s eyes, knowing he had witnessed what she had. Wordlessly, she allowed the footman to hand her up. As she sat in the vehicle, no tears came. She thought they would at some point, but she was too numb now to even think.

She arrived home, handing her reticule and bonnet to Annie, who greeted her.

Turning to Clippman, who stood nearby, she told him, “I have a headache. I do not feel like tea or dinner. Please inform his lordship of that if you would.”

Annie had remained in the foyer and went up the stairs with Lucy.

“You look white as a ghost, my lady. Is it just a headache?” Annie smiled slightly. “Or could it be more?”

“I do not know what you mean, Annie,” she said flatly.

“Well, I suppose it is a little too soon. I was just thinking that you might be with child and nauseous from the babe growing inside you.”

Tears sprang to Lucy’s eyes. She had thought each time she and Judson had made love that there was the possibility a babe had been created. Now, she did not want one growing inside her. She felt incredibly betrayed by her husband.

She supposed they would go back to having a marriage of convenience. The closeness which they had shared the past two weeks would be no more. Lucy knew she would mourn that loss. She still believed Judson had good in him, but she felt so betrayed by him keeping silent—and keeping a mistress.

In her bedchamber, Lucy allowed Annie to undress her and help her into a night rail before she climbed into bed.

“Is there anything I can bring you, my lady? Rub your temples? Fetch you some tea?”

“No, Annie. I merely wish to be alone. Hopefully, I can get some sleep. Do not disturb me. I will ring for you tomorrow morning.”

“Very well,” the maid said, leaving the room.

Once Annie had left, Lucy rose from the bed. She went to the door to her sitting room and locked it. Then she locked the one that connected her bedchamber to her dressing room. She did not want to see her husband tonight. She did not want to deal with anything.

Lucy merely wished to be left alone to wallow in her sorrow and mourn the future she had dreamt of, one which would never come to pass.