Page 22 of An Impulsive Kiss (Captivating Kisses #2)

M iss Amato looked taken aback by Lucy’s declaration. She remained silent for a good minute, Lucy staring at her through narrowed eyes, ready to do whatever it took to defend her rights to her husband.

Then the woman said, “Oh, Lady Huntsberry. You are going to be so good for the marquess.”

The words were spoken with compassion. For a moment, Lucy couldn’t help but wonder not just what had passed physically between the pair, but the emotional bond they shared. Perhaps this was someone Judson needed in his life.

Rising, she said, “I have made a mistake in coming here today, Miss Amato. If you will excuse—”

Judson’s mistress came to her feet. “No. Please stay.”

Something was in her eyes. Something that made Lucy sit in her chair once again. She didn’t know what this woman wanted from her, and so she waited expectantly.

Miss Amato also took her seat again. “Lord Huntsberry has been a very unhappy man. I can assure you that there is no love between us, my lady. The marquess helped me at a time when I was at my lowest.” She swallowed. “I was an opera singer. I came from Italy.”

That explained her accent. Though the woman spoke excellent English, it was obvious she was not a native speaker.

“I come from a humble background, but I had a talent for singing. I have sung to audiences in Berlin. Paris. Rome. And of course, here in London.”

The woman’s gaze met hers. “I suffered a vocal injury. Damage to my vocal cords. At first, the physicians were optimistic and told me to rest my voice. It soon became apparent to me, however, that I would never sing again at the level I previously had. And that is where Lord Huntsberry came in.”

Tears formed in Miss Amato’s eyes. “The marquess does not even enjoy opera. Still, he had heard me perform and somehow learned of the dilemma I faced. Yes, I know it is common for women in the opera and theater to become the mistress of titled gentlemen. I did not know what I was going to do, and so I accepted his offer of protection.”

Miss Amato looked about the room. “Huntsberry provides this house and servants for me. He gives me an allowance so that I feel a small bit of independence. I can assure you that it has not been some avventura amorosa. In fact, I see him only a couple of times each month. I had not seen him since the beginning of March until yesterday. I knew something must be afoot. Then I read of your marriage in the newspapers.”

Lucy looked at the former opera singer with more sympathy, putting herself in her place. She was in a foreign country and had lost all visible means of supporting herself. Even she herself might have turned to a similar arrangement in order to survive.

“Yesterday, Huntsberry came to see me. He had written for an appointment, and I knew what was coming.” She smiled at Lucy. “He came to end his association with me, my lady. I can tell you that your husband is one of those rare men in Polite Society who takes his marriage vows seriously. He offered to continue supporting me until I found a new protector.”

Tears now spilled down Miss Amato’s cheeks, and Lucy quickly handed her a handkerchief.

“Thank you, my lady,” she said, dabbing her eyes. “You may have seen evidence of me leaving London when you arrived.”

She recalled the boxes and trunk in the foyer and nodded.

“I was in love when I was young. I have been writing to Luigi for over a year now after being out of contact for many years. He has taken over his father’s shop and has begged me to come home to him.” Miss Amato’s gaze met hers. “Lord Huntsberry is seeing to those arrangements now so that I might return to Sienna and marry my childhood sweetheart.”

Lucy sat, stunned, realizing now that Judson had come to say goodbye to Miss Amato yesterday. That their kiss had been initiated by a grateful woman, thankful Judson had taken care of her so well.

“I must apologize. I barged in and said terrible things to you.”

Miss Amato smiled gently. “You are passionate about your husband and your marriage, Lady Huntsberry. You are protective of him and what the two of you have together. Know that I would never come between you. I will soon be gone. The marquess even told me yesterday that we would never see one another again.”

Lucy realized how wrong she had been. To come here. To think so little of Judson. She should have trusted her new husband and not behaved irrationally.

“Lord Huntsberry is a good man,” Miss Amato continued. “He has been nothing but kind to me, and I believe he will make for an excellent husband. I can see now why he cares so much for you.”

They both rose, and Lucy impulsively embraced the other woman.

“Thank you for sharing all this with me, Miss Amato. I hope that you and your Luigi have a wonderful life together.”

“And I, too, hope that you and Lord Huntsberry will have a long, happy, satisfying marriage,” she replied.

Lucy asked, “Would you write to me? Let me know that you have arrived in Italy and are settled?”

A genuine smile touched Miss Amato’s lips. “You are as kind as your husband. Yes, my lady. I will write and tell you when I arrive.”

The woman reached for Lucy’s hands and squeezed them. “Love him well. He never told me anything of himself. I know he has suffered greatly, but he never spoke of it to me.”

She thought of the scars on Judson’s back—and soul—and nodded. “I will take care of him,” she promised. “I will love him the best I can—and trust him more than I did today.”

Miss Amato smiled. “A little jealousy never hurts. In fact, it might even create a new spark within your marriage bed.”

Lucy thought the other woman frank, but she liked her very much.

“I will take my leave now, Miss Amato, and let you return to your packing. Have a safe journey to Sienna.”

The woman walked Lucy to the door, kissing her on both cheeks. “I think you already know Huntsberry better than anyone ever will. If anyone can heal the scars he bears, it will be you, my lady.”

She took her leave and told the coachman to drive her home. On the ride, she reflected on how coldly she had treated Judson when he had only done the right thing. She was ashamed of her behavior and owed him an apology. It would be painful because she would confess all to him, but Lucy now believed their love strong enough to survive any crisis.

The carriage began to slow, and her heart beat faster, anticipating seeing her husband again. it came to a halt, and the footman opened the door, handing her down the stairs.

“Lady Huntsberry!”

Lucy turned, seeing an older gentleman looking to be in his early fifties, hurrying along the pavement toward her.

He approached and said, “You are the only one who can help me, my lady. You must talk some sense into my nephew.”

*

Judson had sat by the window, awaiting Lucy’s return. He had been miserable the entire time and was determined to clear up whatever misunderstanding had arisen. He would insist that Lucy tell him what was wrong because he wanted to remedy the rift between them before it grew wider.

He saw the carriage pull up in front of the townhouse and sprang to his feet. Hurrying from his study, he went to the foyer and out the front door, only to see his wife engaged in conversation with someone. His gut lurched as he recognized Jeremiah Judson.

Quickly, he rushed toward them, slipping a possessive arm around Lucy, wanting to protect her from his uncle.

“You are a monster!” Lucy spat out, glaring at his uncle. “You treated your nephew abominably. Why would I plead with my husband to increase the allowance he so generously gives you? If you lay dying in the gutter, I would not lift a hand to assist you.”

The vehemence of her words startled Judson. Apparently, his uncle had approached Lucy to ask for more money on his behalf.

An old, familiar look settled in his uncle’s eyes as he turned his gaze upon Judson. “You are as weak as your father and mother were.” Hate dripped in his words. “You have to have your wife champion you.”

“I will take Lady Huntsberry as my champion any day. I appreciate her standing with me against you,” he said, his tone biting. “You may be my family by blood, but my wife is the family of my heart. I learned early on that you despised me because my father held the title you coveted, and I would do so after him. When Papa died, your mistreatment of me was abominable. I believe you did everything in your power to try and kill me by putting me through such strenuous, physical labors.”

Judson couldn’t help but smile. “It backfired. What I suffered through only made me stronger. Not only physically but mentally. You lit a burning determination in my soul to outlast you. So no, I will not be increasing your quarterly allowance, Uncle. You should be grateful I even provide one to you. You have been told never to come here. Because you did, you will not receive your next payment.”

His uncle gasped. “You cannot do that!”

“Oh, but I can. Because I —not you—am the Marquess of Huntsberry.” He paused, looking at this man in disgust. “And if you approach either my wife or me ever again, I will cut off all funds. Permanently.”

He thought rage might seethe within his uncle and bubble out. Instead, Judson saw defeat in Jeremiah Jarvis’ eyes.

“Leave,” he and Lucy said in unison, and his heart filled with love for the woman standing beside him.

Dejectedly, his uncle walked away—and out of their lives.

Turning to Lucy, he wrapped his arms about her, kissing her despite the fact they were in public. She answered his kiss, and he could tell all was right again between them.

He ended the kiss. “Thank you for defending me.”

“He is a beast,” she said, contempt in her voice. “To think of the way he treated you, and then he comes here and expects you to give him more money? You are far too generous as it is, Judson. If I were you, I do not think I could hand over a single farthing to him.”

“Come upstairs with me,” he said huskily, watching the blush spill across her cheeks.

“It is not even noon,” she protested. “Besides, my relatives are coming for tea today. I should meet with Cook.”

Judson smiled slowly. “Haven’t you already met with Cook regarding our visitors?”

“Yes,” she admitted.

“Haven’t you already discussed the menu to be served this afternoon?”

“Yes.”

“Do you trust Cook to prepare a wonderful tea for the first visitors we will entertain together?”

The corners of her mouth turned up, even as her blush deepened. “I do.”

“Then I think we should leave to Cook what is hers to do. That means if you are not otherwise engaged, Lady Huntsberry, I would appreciate your company. In our bed.”

Her radiant smile felt like sunbeams warming him, and Judson kissed his wife again. Then he swept her off her feet, moving past two footmen and Clippman as he carried Lucy up the stairs to bed and made slow, deliberate love to her.

After they lay together, their limbs entangled, he kissed the top of her head.

“Judson? I must tell you something important.” She paused. “I hope you will not be angry with me, but I went to see Miss Amato this morning.”

“You saw Antonia?” He wondered how she had known about his former mistress, much less where to find her.

“Actually, I went to White’s yesterday after I finished my errands, hoping to see you come out. You did not see the carriage, and I had the driver follow you.” Lucy hesitated. “It was wrong of me to follow you to Miss Amato’s. And when I saw the two of you kiss, I will admit that I saw red.”

He couldn’t believe his wife had witnessed that kiss and realized how deeply she had been hurt by it. Suddenly, everything made perfect sense. Her headache. The sudden, unexplained distance between them.

“I am sorry you saw us saying farewell. I did not kiss her, Lucy. She kissed me.”

“I understand that now. And I think she’s lovely.” Lucy stroked his forearm. “I am glad you had her company. I hope she brought you some comfort during your time together.”

“It is done between us,” he assured her, his arms tightening about her. “In fact, I had not even seen Antonia after I met you. Until yesterday.”

“She told me how kind you were to her. How you are helping her return to Luigi in Italy.”

He marveled at what the two women had spoken about. “I hope you do not mind me engaging in this final task. Helping her return to Sienna.”

“I think it is wonderful you are doing so.” Lucy chuckled. “I even apologized for confronting her.”

Curiosity filled him. “Why did you go to see her?”

Lucy lifted her head, their gazes meeting. “Because I love you so much. And I was jealous.” She bit her lip. “I told her to keep her hands off you.”

He grinned. “You did?”

Her palm cradled his cheek. “I most certainly did. Because you are mine. My husband. And I refuse to share you. Ever.”

“Then it is a good thing that we agree on the matter. I do love you, Lucy. So much it almost hurts. I would do anything for you.”

“I understand that now.” Her eyes misted with tears. “And I am sorry I did not trust you. I promise I will do so from this day forward.”

Judson kissed her tenderly. “We are in this marriage together. Forever. Just the two of us. And we will take the vows we spoke to one another to heart.” He smiled. “You are the only woman for me, Lucy. I have bared my soul to you. I want to share everything with you.”

Her love for him was obvious, for she was one of those people whose face reflected her every thought.

“I love you so much, Judson. I will always love you.” Then she gave him a wicked grin. “I will love you even more after you put a babe in my belly. Perhaps we should work on that again. After all, my family will not be here for a few more hours.”

He beamed at her. “I cannot think of a better way to pass the time, Wife.”