Page 5 of An Impulsive Kiss (Captivating Kisses #2)

J udson had decided to walk to the Aldridge townhouse, which wasn’t far from his own residence. He had finally learned to enjoy physical activity after it was not forced upon him by his uncle. Nowadays, he took long walks, rode almost daily through Hyde Park, and boxed. He was comfortable in his body. It surprised him that he felt slightly anxious about this afternoon’s tea, though. He was no heathen, but it had been so very long since he had been in the company of others beyond Tim, expected to carry on a conversation.

What would it be like to sit in a drawing room at tea with an actual lady pouring out for him? He must stay on his toes and exercise caution with all he said. Of course, he had had years of walking on eggshells around his uncle and knew how to keep silent and watch what words he did utter. The thought of Jeremiah Jarvis disgusted him, and he pushed the image of his uncle from his mind as he approached his destination.

Checking his pocket watch, he saw he was actually a few minutes early. He had no carriage to sit in and wait until the appointed time. He supposed instead of pacing the pavement that he should knock, where a butler could seat him in a parlor until it was time to bring him upstairs to the drawing room.

Approaching the marquess’ door, he rapped on it. The butler opened the door and actually smiled at him. He didn’t know servants—besides Tim—smiled, especially at guests. Then again, perhaps it was simply that his uncle had frightened the Huntsworth servants until they feared to do so.

He had no card to present because he never engaged in social interaction with others, so Judson merely said, “Lord Huntsberry to see Lord and Lady Aldridge.”

“You are expected, my lord. Please, come in. Lord and Lady Aldridge are upstairs. I will take you to them. If you will follow me.”

They went up the staircase and down a hallway toward the drawing room. The butler had Judson wait while he was announced, something he supposed was a social practice, and then he entered. He observed that the furnishings were both tasteful and elegant as he went the length of the room, seeing Aldridge and two ladies standing to greet him.

“It is good of you to come, my lord,” the marquess said. Turning to the copper-haired beauty next to him, Aldridge said, “My love, I would like to introduce you to the Marquess of Huntsberry.”

He did know enough to bow to the marchioness, and she offered him her hand. Judson took it briefly, saying, “It is an honor to meet you, Lady Aldridge.”

“We are neighbors in the country, Lord Huntsberry. I hear you are not fond of country living, however. It is good then that we have met here in town.”

She looked to the tawny-haired woman on her right, and Judson turned his attention. She was close to the marchioness in age, and he suspected she was in town to make her come-out this Season.

“My lord,” Lady Aldridge said. “I would like to introduce you to my cousin, Lady Lucy Alington.”

He bowed again, and the young woman curtseyed before offering her hand to him. When he took it, he gazed into remarkable amethyst eyes, the shade the same color as her brother’s, but which seemed more arresting in a woman. Lady Lucy was very pretty, but then again, he had seen more beautiful women in Polite Society. However, something tugged on him as he focused his attention on her.

“It is delightful to meet you, Lady Lucy.”

“I am pleased to meet you, as well, my lord.”

Judson realized he still held her hand and quickly released it. The abruptness of his gesture caused her cheeks to flush, making her quite appealing.

“Have a seat if you would, Lord Huntsberry,” Lady Aldridge said, indicating one next to her cousin. “I am so glad you are able to join us for tea today. My aunt and uncle and their son will also be joining us, as well.”

At that moment, the butler returned, announcing the Earl and Countess of Marley, along with Viscount Dyer. The trio joined them, and Lady Aldridge introduced her relatives to him before they were seated again.

As maids rolled in two teacarts under the butler’s supervision, Lady Marley asked him, “Are you in town to attend the Season, Lord Huntsberry?”

“I remain in town throughout the year,” he replied. “I have a fine steward who manages Huntsworth for me and I see no reason to travel back and forth from the country to town.”

His reply caused Lady Marley’s brows to arch in surprise.

“Where is your country seat?” Lord Marley asked.

“It is in Surrey.”

“We have discovered that we are neighbors with the marquess,” Aldridge said. “Our estates are adjacent to one another.”

“My, isn’t that interesting,” Lady Marley said, seeming to evaluate him.

Judson realized that the countess would be on the prowl for her daughter’s husband. Amusement filled him, since marriage was the last thing on his mind.

“Lucy, would you help me to pour out since there are so many of us here?” Lady Aldridge asked of her cousin.

“I am happy to do so, Ariadne.”

He surreptitiously watched the young woman, seeing her hands shaking slightly, figuring it was her first time to do so in a social setting. Still, she did a fine job, and he even helped distribute cups and saucers which she handed to him. His participation in the ritual seemed to calm her nerves, and she finished pouring out without a single spill.

Wanting to reassure her, he turned and quietly told her, “You poured out with grace, my lady.”

She blushed again, and he thought she must be quite a shy, na?ve sort. He hoped her brother, along with her parents and the Aldridges, would keep a steadfast eye upon her and not allow a hungry rogue to sweep in and compromise her.

“My son tells me that he went to school with you, Lord Huntsberry,” Lady Marley said.

“Lord Dyer and his cousin were a few years behind me, my lady. We see one another occasionally at White’s.” He did not mention that this morning was the first time they had ever spoken with one another.

Turning to his host and hostess, Judson said, “Tell me about this orphanage you sponsor,” wanting to get down to the crux of why he was here and avoid further interrogation from Lady Marley.

The marquess smiled tenderly at his wife, slipping his hand around hers. It shocked Judson to see such a blatant display of affection.

“I will let Lady Aldridge tell you. She has been more involved in the orphanage than I have.”

For the next few minutes, the marchioness animatedly spoke about the orphanage and the classes offered. She sang the praises of a Miss Darnell, the headmistress, and also complimented the teachers and staff.

“When I came to town last year in order to make my come-out, I was moved by the great number of poor I saw teeming in the streets, especially the children. I determined then that it would always be an important part of my life to assist those in poverty in whatever way I could.”

Lady Aldridge looked at her husband, her love for him apparent as she smiled. “Fortunately, I wed a man with a kind, generous heart. Julian has been a perfect partner to me, not only in marriage and parenting, but in this endeavor. Thanks to his financial support and volunteering hours with the children, Oakbrooke Orphanage thrives.”

The marchioness went on to speak about how she even taught classes there a couple of days a week, and how they balanced country life with time spent in town.

Then Lady Lucy spoke up for the first time. “I would love to go with you sometime and visit the orphanage, Ariadne. It would be a privilege to meet these children.”

Lady Marley cleared her throat, a disapproving look in her eyes. “You will have no time to do such a thing, Lucilla,” she said sternly. “All of your time will be taken by the Season.”

“But surely there is some free time away from social obligations,” Lady Lucy insisted. “This is such a large part of Ariadne’s and Julian’s lives. I am eager to see Oakbrooke.”

Before Lady Marley could speak again, Aldridge said, “You are welcome to go with us anytime, Lucy. In fact, we will visit tomorrow morning. Perhaps you would like to come with us if you have nothing on your calendar.”

The marquess turned his attention to Judson. “You, as well, Lord Huntsberry. You have told me you wish to donate to our cause. I believe it wise you see the school itself and what we do with the orphans before you make such a commitment.”

He thought Lady Marley would protest her daughter touring the school. Then he saw the gleam in her eyes. This woman would think it prudent to throw her daughter into the company of an eligible marquess. He wished he could be blunt and tell the countess that he had no interest in wedding her daughter, but his host and hostess had already been so kind to him. It would be wrong of him to upset Lady Aldridge’s aunt.

Still, Judson felt a bit sorry for Lady Lucy. Her father had only spoken once during tea. The countess had dominated the conversation and spoken for both herself and her husband. He supposed the countess controlled every aspect of her daughter’s existence and would be instrumental in choosing a husband for Lady Lucy.

“I would be happy to accompany you and Lady Lucy in seeing the orphanage tomorrow morning, my lord,” he said breezily. Looking to the viscount, he asked, “Would you wish to accompany us, Dyer?”

Lord Dyer had watched him throughout tea, and Judson had heard talk of how the viscount and his cousin Claibourne had scrutinized candidates for Claibourne’s sister during her come-out. It was obvious to him Lord and Lady Aldridge were a love match, so he assumed they had had the approval of both Lady Aldridge’s brother and her cousin.

“Yes,” Dyer said. “I would be happy to. I will be chaperoning Lucy to events throughout the Season. It seems as if my duties will begin tomorrow morning.”

The door to the drawing room opened, and a servant brought in an infant. Judson assumed this was Lord and Lady Aldridge’s babe. What surprised him, though, was the nursemaid brought the child straight to the marquess, who eagerly took the babe in his arms. It was obvious Aldridge was comfortable handling the infant, as he cooed to it softly and bent to kiss the babe’s brow.

Lady Aldridge chuckled. “You see how it is, Aunt Charlotte. Julian insists upon always being the first to hold Penelope.”

“I have two favorite women in the world, my love. Rest assured, you are one of them. And Penelope, naturally, is the other,” the marquess said.

Aldridge looked to Lady Lucy. “Would you like to hold your new cousin?”

Judson focused his attention on Lady Lucy, seeing the yearning in her eyes. This was definitely a young woman eager to wed and have babes of her own.

The marquess rose and brought the infant to Lady Lucy. She took Penelope and smiled down at the child.

“Oh, I am so happy to meet you, my sweet cousin. Hopefully, I will have children of my own for you to play with.”

Something moved within Judson as he watched Lady Lucy with this babe. A deep yearning tugged upon his heart, something so foreign to him that he couldn’t make sense of it. He did not want a wife. He certainly didn’t want children. Eventually, he would have to have both, but he didn’t plan to have much to do with either of them. Children were the domain of a wife. He had loved his father but had seen very little of him. Wasn’t that how it was supposed to be?

And yet the Marquess of Aldridge’s behavior had Judson trying to comprehend how a man could feel deep love for his offspring.

Looking at Lady Lucy again, who seemed as if she would take to mothering with ease, Judson wondered if he might want more from life.

Then he put a stop to such foolish notions. He was a loner and would stay one. He would do his duty and get an heir off his wife, and preferably a spare, as well. He would live his life, and he would let his wife live hers.

Suddenly, Lady Lucy was looking at him, smiling. “Would you like to hold Penelope, my lord?”

Judson wanted to flatly refuse, but curiosity filled him. Having no siblings, he had never been around a babe before. Surprising himself, he accepted.

“Yes, my lady. If her parents trust me with her.”

He turned his body toward Lady Lucy and accepted the small bundle, cradling the infant in his arms as he had witnessed Aldridge do. Staring down into the tiny face, he was in awe of how perfect her features were.

At that moment, Lady Penelope opened her eyes, studying him solemnly. For a long moment, he and the babe took in one another. He felt the power of the moment, almost as if he and the child formed some type of bond. Then she yawned, making a mewling noise.

Lord Aldridge leaped to his feet, coming toward Judson, easing the babe from Judson’s arms, saying, “It is time Penelope be fed.” He pressed a kiss upon his daughter’s head and handed her off to the nursemaid, who left the drawing room.

Judson found himself shaken by the experience. He fought the waves of emotion rushing through him.

Lady Aldridge smiled gently at him. “You seem to be a natural with children, my lord. Perhaps you will have one of your own soon.”

He needed to shut down this kind of talk. Let everyone in this room—especially Lady Marley and her daughter—know that he was not going to be perusing the Marriage Mart this Season. Or anytime soon.

Instead, it shocked him as he heard himself replying, “I will need an heir, my lady. Who knows what this Season will bring?”