“I’m sorry I was not able to attend yours, although Gavin and I shared your message of undying love,” Judith returned in kind.
Alice’s eyes shot blue fire, her body stiffened. “Yes, it is too bad it all ended so soon.”
“Ended?”
Alice smiled. “Haven’t you heard? My husband, poor dear, was murdered in his sleep. I’m a widow now, and free. Oh yes, very free. I assumed Gavin told you. He was most interested in my…ah…new status.”
Judith turned on her heel and stalked away. No, she hadn’t known Alice was no longer married. Now all that stood between Alice and Gavin was herself. No Edmund Chatworth hindered them.
Chapter Twenty-Five
JUDITH CONTINUED TO WALK TOWARD THE STABLES, BUT she had no idea where she was going. Her mind was only aware of the fact that Alice Chatworth was a widow.
“Judith.”
She looked up and managed to smile at her mother.
“Will you ride in the hunt today?”
“Yes,” she said, the joy gone from her day.
“What’s wrong?”
Judith tried to smile. “I lose my mother—that’s all. Did you know that Gavin has given permission for your marriage to John Bassett?”
Helen stared at her daughter. She neither spoke nor smiled. Slowly, the color drained from her face. She fell forward into her daughter’s arms.
“Help!” Judith managed to gasp.
A tall young man who was nearby ran to her and quickly lifted Helen.
“To the stables,” directed Judith, “out of the sun.”
Once in the shade, Helen began to recover almost instantly.
“Mother, you are well?”
Helen looked meaningfully at the young man.
He understood the look. “I’ll leave you alone,” he said and walked away before Judith could even thank him.
“I…didn’t know,” Helen began. “I mean I didn’t know Lord Gavin even knew of my love for John.”
Judith stopped herself from laughing aloud. “I asked him some time ago for permission, but he wanted to consult the king. Yours will be an unusual wedding.”
“And soon enough,” Helen murmured.
“Soon—? Mother!”
Helen smiled like a child caught in some mischief. “It’s true—I bear his child.”
Judith sank into a pile of hay. “Shall we deliver together?” she asked in wonder.
“Close.”
Judith laughed. “Arrangements must be made quickly, so the baby will be able to claim a name.”
“Judith!” She looked up to see Gavin coming toward them. “A man said your mother took ill.”