They had made a turn about the small garden and had arrived near the door again, and she had hoped they would part ways and she would return inside. She had been foolish to come out here in the first place. Of course, there were a few others wandering through the garden, but still.
Alas, Thomas’s face turned red with anger. “You are foolish,” he snapped. “I’m trying to warn you, and you choose to side with Aaron? You are making a grave mistake.”
“I’m not choosing Aaron,” Judith said firmly, trying to keep her voice steady. “I’m simply not going to let a stranger tell me what to do.”
Thomas’s expression darkened, his eyes flashing with rage. “Aaron ruined my sister’s life forever. If you are going to side with a man like that, then perhaps you deserve to have your life ruined too.”
Judith felt a surge of fear as his tone grew menacing. She glanced at Marianne, who looked equally alarmed. They had known one another for so long that they did not need to exchange words for the maid to understand what had to be done.
Marianne rushed back into the ballroom. As she left, Thomas grabbed Judith’s arm, pulling her closer.
“Let go of me!” she cried, struggling against his grip.
“Don’t be a fool,” Thomas hissed, his face inches from hers. “You need to understand?—”
But before he could finish, he pulled her forward, clearly trying to make it look like they were in a compromising position for anyone watching from the ballroom windows. Judith’s heart pounded in her chest as she realized the gravity of the situation. If they were seen like this, she would be ruined.
“Stop it!” she shouted, pushing against him with all her strength. “Let me go!”
Thomas’s grip tightened, and he leaned in to kiss her, but she turned her head away, her terror mounting. Just then, the door to the garden flew open, and heavy footsteps rushed toward them.
A fist flew through the air, connecting with Thomas’s jaw with a sickening thud. He staggered back, releasing Judith, who stumbled away from him. She spun around, her breath coming in ragged gasps, and saw Aaron standing there, his eyes blazing with fury.
“Are you all right?” Aaron asked, his gaze never leaving Thomas.
Judith nodded, tears welling up in her eyes. “Yes, I think so.”
Aaron stepped forward, his body tense and ready for a fight. “If you ever come near her again, I will make sure you regret it, Cornell,” he growled.
Thomas glared at him, clutching his jaw. “You have no idea what you’ve done,” he spat, his voice filled with venom. “You’ll pay for this, Aaron.”
“Get out of here,” Aaron said coldly. “Before I make you.”
Thomas hesitated, then turned and stalked away, his posture rigid with anger and humiliation.
Judith watched him go, her legs trembling with the fear coursing through her.
Aaron turned to her, his expression softening. “Judith,” he said gently, “I’m so sorry you had to go through that.”
Judith shook her head, trying to steady her breathing. “Thank you, Aaron. I don’t know what would have happened if you hadn’t come.”
Aaron took a step closer, his concern evident. “Are you sure you’re all right?
“I’m fine,” she replied, though her voice wavered. “Just… shaken.”
Aaron nodded, his eyes full of empathy. “Let’s get you back inside. We’ll find a quiet place where you can sit and catch your breath.”
Judith nodded, leaning on his arm for support as they made their way back into the ballroom. Her mind was still reeling from the encounter, and she couldn’t shake the feeling that the evening had changed everything.
CHAPTER 11
Inside, the noise and warmth of the ballroom enveloped them again, but the comfort it once offered now felt suffocating to Judith. She turned to Aaron, her expression resolute.
“Aaron, I wish to leave,” she said, her voice steady but tinged with desperation.
The incident had shaken her to the core, but not just that—she now doubted her judgment. She should not have gone outside with a man she had just met. Why had her curiosity about Aaron’s connection to Lady Lundgren been so strong that it had pushed aside all common sense?
Aaron looked at her, concern etched on his features. “But, Judith, you still have other dances promised. Are you sure? Leaving now might cause more rumors, and the people you agreed to dance with will think you are flighty.”
