Judith shook her head. Her frustration only grew because the reason she was in this situation was because of him. He should understand how she felt.
“I don’t care about the other dances. After what happened… that man tried to ruin me in front of the entire ton. And why?”
Aaron gulped, hesitating.
Judith’s eyes bored into him, demanding the truth. “It’s because of you—we both know it.”
Aaron sighed deeply, his shoulders slumping. “Yes, Judith. It’s true. That man, Thomas Cornell… his sister is Lady Lundgren.”
Judith scoffed. “The woman you were betrothed to. I am aware. He told me.”
Aaron nodded, a shadow crossing his face. “You do? Pray, what did he say?”
Judith chewed on her bottom lip, her mind racing.
But before she could respond, the door opened, and Thomas appeared again, glaring at them. Tension filled the air, and Aaron’s hands balled into fists again as he took a step in front of her, shielding her from view.
Judith’s face grew hot, and she looked around to see a great number of people looking their way. Or was that her imagination?She couldn’t be certain.
Nobody had actually seen what transpired outside, she’d made sure of that when they entered. Nonetheless, one could never be too careful.
To her relief, Lady Lundgren appeared beside her brother. They whispered urgently to each other before disappearing back into the crowd. Judith saw Aaron exhale, the tension in his body visibly easing, as did her own.
“I should explain,” he said curtly as he took her hand.
But the sudden connection—one she had never felt before—sent tingles up her arm. It occurred to her that she’d never held anyone’s hand before. Even when she was engaged, she and her ex-fiancé had been cordial at best. She’d walk with her hand on his arm, but they never held hands, not in any intimate fashion. That was reserved for after marriage, he’d told her.
“Judith?” Aaron prompted, startled by her reaction, and quickly let go.
“Yes, yes, let us go,” she said hastily.
Judith followed him through the crowded ballroom, feeling the weight of the evening’s events pressing down on her. They found a quiet alcove near a large, ornate window, the sounds of theparty muffled by heavy drapes. She realized it was the same alcove where they’d exchanged travel stories just a little while ago. But oh, how different it felt to be standing there now.
Aaron turned to her, his expression earnest.“I’m so sorry, Judith,” he began. “Years ago, Lady Amelia—Lady Lundgren and I were engaged. It went badly, and this is the first time I’ve seen her since. She resents me to this day, and it seems her brother—whom I cared for in the past—has inherited that from her.”
Judith looked down, feeling the sting of embarrassment and uncertainty.
“What happened? How did you come to be outside with him?” Aaron asked gently. “I saw you leave and followed just in case, but I am quite confused as to what happened exactly.”
Judith hesitated. She didn’t want to reveal how quickly she had followed Thomas outside and listened to his stories.
“We spoke in the banquet room,” she said slowly. “He asked me to step outside with him for some fresh air. I agreed. Then he told me he wanted to warn me about you. When I wasn’t interested, he said something about me deserving what happened to his sister and tried to ruin me by kissing me. Marianne rushed inside to seek help.”
Aaron’s face darkened with fury. He huffed and puffed, his anger palpable. “Yes, I saw her just as I came out. Pray, what did he say to you?” he asked through gritted teeth.
“He said you were a terrible man and that I shouldn’t associate with you,” Judith replied, her voice shaking slightly. “He pretended to care about me, but when I would not do as he said, he tried to kiss me.”
Aaron clenched his fists, his rage barely contained. “I can’t believe he would do such a thing,” he bit out.
“What did you do to Lady Lundgren that made her hate you so much?” Judith asked, regretting her choice of words the moment they’d come out of her mouth. “I mean… What… It is unusual for a woman to…”
Aaron raised a hand to indicate that he understood. “I did do something to her, though I thought it was all behind me now. It seems it is not. But do not fret, I will not let it affect you in any way, that I promise.”
He sighed deeply, his shoulders slumping. “I agreed to an arranged marriage with her even though I didn’t love her,” he admitted. “I should not have agreed to the arrangement in the first place. When I realized I couldn’t marry her, I ended it. She felt humiliated and betrayed, and I can’t blame her for that. Although I will say that she did not love me either. She certainly loved the…” He waved a hand as if he had second thoughts about saying what was on his mind.
Judith wanted to know what he’d wished to say but didn’t press him.
She looked at him, seeing the pain in his eyes. “But that doesn’t justify what her brother did,” she stated firmly.
