Page 27 of An Impulsive Kiss (Captivating Kisses #2)

August—Final night of the Season

J udson patiently waited as Tim tied his cravat. They would be attending the last event of the Season this evening. Tomorrow, he and Lucy would return to Surrey until next spring. He was looking forward to their new life together in the country.

The valet stepped back, eyeing his work, and then smiled. “You’re ready, my lord. And everything is packed for the journey, save for the clothes I have laid out for you in your dressing room for you to wear tomorrow.”

“I have not asked you, Tim, which is remiss of me, but are you happy to be returning to Huntsworth?”

“I remember those days at Huntsworth, my lord. I know they were difficult for you after your father passed. You have Lady Huntsberry now, though, and she brings light and joy everywhere she goes.”

A wonderful warmth filled him. “She does, doesn’t she?”

His world was one he shared with Lucy now. His wife had given him a second start at life. He looked forward to their time in the country, where her sister Dru would come to visit them soon. Judson also knew next Season would be a different one because he would have family from the start of it. Family to lean upon. He had already grown closer with Con these past few months, as well as Julian and Ariadne. He had even taken to holding Penelope upon occasion when he could wrestle her away from her father.

Dismissing Tim, he went to box which sat upon a table. He was gifting Lucy with a necklace this evening.

He only wondered if she might tell him of the child she carried.

Judson had begun to notice Lucy’s breasts seemed a bit larger. There was also a slight curve to her belly which had not been there before. It struck him that his wife might not yet realize she was with child. She had been quite innocent when they wed although she was now a woman who enjoyed pleasing him in bed and being pleased herself.

Of course, most girls making their come-outs had little to no knowledge of what took place in the bedroom, and Lucy might not understand she was with child because she had exhibited no signs of the awful retching each morning that many women did once they were increasing. It was early, though, so that might come to pass in the near future.

Still, her courses had ceased, so Judson knew she did carry his child.

No, their child. They were partners in every endeavor, and that included the babe which they had made together.

He opened the jeweler’s box and removed the diamond necklace from it, slipping it into his pocket, and making his way to his wife’s bedchamber. Judson lightly tapped on the door and then entered the room, seeing Lucy seated at her dressing table as Annie put the finishing touches on her hair.

“Hello, my darling,” his wife said, their eyes meeting in the mirror.

“Hold still, my lady,” Annie lightly chided. “I’m almost done. Another pin or two should do it.”

Lucy’s tawny hair was piled high atop her head, and all he wanted to do was remove every pin and let it spill to her waist, his fingers running through the long, silky tresses. That would have to wait until later tonight.

“Oh, Annie, it is your best effort yet,” Lucy declared.

“Will there be anything else, my lady?” the maid asked.

“No. You may go.”

Judson took Annie’s place, standing behind his wife, resting his hands on her shoulders. “You are a vision of loveliness, Lady Huntsberry. I think you are lacking one thing, however.”

“What?” she asked, clearly puzzled by his remark.

“Close your eyes. I have a gift for you; I wish for you to wear it this evening.”

The corners of her mouth turned up. “Oh, a surprise! I do not believe I have ever been surprised with a gift.”

“Close your eyes,” he repeated, and she did so.

Removing the necklace from his pocket, his fingers found both ends of it, and Judson lifted it over Lucy’s head, resting the necklace against her satin skin as he fastened the clasp. He took a moment to admire her image in the mirror a moment before saying, “You may open your eyes, love.”

She did, her eyes filled with wonder as her fingertips touched the necklace. “Diamonds? You bought me diamonds? Oh, Judson, they are so expensive. I do not deserve something such as—”

“You deserve everything, Lucy Jarvis. The sun. The moon. The stars. I would give them all to you if I could. I know we wed in haste, and I was remiss not to think to give you a wedding present before now. I thought the last night of the Season would be an appropriate time to do so.”

“But I never gave you any gift,” she protested.

He helped her to her feet, his arms encircling her. “You have given me numerous gifts, love. The gift of yourself. The gift of helping me quell my demons. The gift of your family, which is fast becoming my own.” He paused. “And most importantly, the gift of your love.”

Judson kissed her softly, treasuring each moment he had with this remarkable woman.

“Come. We should go downstairs. Julian’s carriage will be here at any moment.”

He escorted his wife to the foyer, and Clippman told them Lord Aldridge’s carriage had just arrived. They were accompanying Julian and Ariadne to this last ball.

“Con!” Lucy cried, seeing her brother had joined their party as she entered the carriage. “How lovely to see you.”

“Is that a new necklace?” Ariadne asked. “It is incredible. And diamonds.”

Lucy fingered it as Judson took a seat beside her. “Judson gave it to me tonight. It is a belated wedding gift.”

“Or it may be a new tradition,” he ventured. “I can see giving my beautiful wife a piece of jewelry at the end of each Season to commemorate another year having passed.”

“You would have to say that aloud,” Julian grumbled good-naturedly. “Now, I will be obligated to do the same with my wife.”

Ariadne rested her head on her husband’s shoulder. “You are gift enough to me, Julian. You give of yourself to me every single day.”

Con chuckled. “Love is oozing from this carriage. Perhaps I should get out and walk so as not to be touched by it.”

“I hope you will be struck by Cupid’s arrow, Con,” Lucy told her brother. “Being in love is absolutely the most wonderful feeling in the world.” She slipped her hand around Judson’s, lacing their fingers together.

They arrived at the ball, and Julian climbed from the carriage, handing down Ariadne and then Lucy.

As Lucy exited the carriage, Con quietly said, “The coroner’s inquest has concluded. Death by misadventure.” His brother-in-law bounded from the carriage.

Con referred to Lord Eaton. Not long after Judson and Lucy had returned to town after their encounter with the earl, news arrived that Eaton was dead. Gossip abounded, claiming everything from murder to suicide. Other stories challenged those, saying that Eaton had merely been cleaning his pistol when it misfired, striking him in the head, killing him instantly.

The verdict did not matter one whit to Judson. Eaton was dead and would never trouble them again.

He collected his wife, and the five of them joined the receiving line inside their destination. They greeted their hosts and then entered the ballroom. He thought how different tonight was, compared to the opening night of this Season. He had entered it without friends, hoping to make a marriage of convenience.

Instead, he had found everlasting love.

*

The next morning, Judson breakfasted with Lucy while their carriages were readied. They would travel in the much grander one, meant to convey him and his marchioness back to Huntsworth. The second, plainer one contained their trunks, along with Tim and Annie. Clippman would supervise the remaining servants in the London townhouse and see to its upkeep, making certain it was already ready anytime they came to town.

He had purchased a few horses at Tattersall’s for them to ride and had hired grooms, sending both to Huntsworth last week. It would be good to have his own horse in the stalls and not have to rely on ones from Mr. Abel’s stables.

He slipped his arm about Lucy, and she snuggled against him, falling fast asleep the entire way to Surrey. He decided she would need extra rest because of the child which grew within her and he determined to pamper her however he could.

She awoke a few minutes before they reached Alderton, and minutes later, they arrived at Huntsworth. He handed her down, greeting the servants who had all gathered outside to welcome their master and mistress home. It was a good feeling, knowing he owned this house and all its surrounding land and that he had a staff which would make certain that he and his wife spent happy times while they were in the country.

“See that the luggage is brought in,” he told their new butler. To Mrs. Worth, he added, “Have Cook send tea and bit of refreshment to Lady Huntsberry’s parlor. No, make it the terrace, instead. It is far too lovely a day to remain inside.”

They entered the house, and Lucy said, “I am famished. I am glad you asked for tea. Let me go freshen up, and then I will join you outside.”

Having tea served on the terrace turned out to be a good idea, and they both decided they would do this several times a week as long as the weather was nice. Judson thought the raisin scones the best scones he had ever eaten. He was glad Lucy had agreed to hiring both the cook and housekeeper who had worked for Antonia. Surprisingly, his former mistress had written to them, and Lucy had explained that she had asked for Antonia to do so. Antonia had been welcomed with open arms by Luigi, and the couple would be wed by the time her letter arrived in London. Judson doubted Antonia would write again, but it was satisfying to know she had found a home and love.

“Would you like to take a stroll?” Lucy asked after they finished.

“I would be delighted to do so.”

They went down the stairs of the terrace and walked, hand-in-hand, along the path to the gardens. Both were pleased to see weeds had been cleared and the gardens were starting to take shape. He knew nothing about gardening, but Lucy told him it would take a few years to restore the Huntsworth gardens to their former glory. He hoped by that time they would have at least two children.

Once they reached the gazebo, at the heart of the gardens, he led her up the steps and to its center, happy to be at Huntsworth once again. Although Judson knew he could never erase his past, having Lucy by his side helped conquer the bitter memories, and he knew they would recede over time, replaced by more pleasant ones.

They came to a large oak, and Lucy leaned against it, pulling him close to her. His body brushed against hers, and he gave her a thorough kiss.

“I needed that,” she said, once he ended the kiss. Her eyes sparkled. “I have something to tell you, Judson. Something absolutely wonderful.”

Knowing what was coming, he kissed her again. “ You are wonderful, love.”

“I am not exhibiting the signs Ariadne told me about. She was terribly sick each morning for a few months, but I do believe I am with child. Our first child.” Her smile was blinding.

“That is the best news I have ever been given,” he told her, awash with love for her and the child that grew within her.

He kissed his wife, the kiss full of promises he would keep to her throughout the years.