They stood there for a moment, a silent understanding passing between them. Then, just as Judith was about to speak again, she spotted a familiar figure approaching through the park’s winding paths.
“Oh,” she muttered as she spotted Aaron looking dashing as always in his tailored coat and top hat.
He moved with a purposeful stride, and her heart rate quickened at the sight of him.
“Look who’s coming,” Matilda said, her tone light and teasing.
Judith straightened, smoothing her skirts and trying to quell the butterflies fluttering in her stomach. “Yes, it’s Aaron—I mean, His Grace. I should use his title in public,” she explained, hoping her voice didn’t betray her nerves.
“And handsome as always,” Matilda added with a wink.
Aaron reached them with a warm smile. “Good morning, Lady Judith, Lady Worcester.”
“Good morning, Your Grace,” Matilda replied with a courteous nod. “It’s a lovely day for a walk, isn’t it?”
“Indeed it is,” Aaron agreed, his eyes flicking to Judith. “Lady Judith, are you ready for our promenade?”
Judith nodded, feeling a surge of excitement mingled with nervousness. “Yes, I am.”
“Good, well. I have no intention of crowding you, so if you do not mind, I will sit over yonder. It is cold, but the sun is lovely. Just do not walk beyond that bend there, so I can see you and fulfill my duties,” Matilda said and winked, before setting off for the indicated spot.
Judith glanced at her stepmother, who gave her an encouraging smile. She felt a swell of gratitude and newfound confidence. She wasn’t alone—she had Matilda, Rosy, and Joanna. And perhaps, despite the uncertainties ahead, that was enough.
The air was crisp, and the wind occasionally gusted, sending leaves rustling across the pathways and lifting strands of Judith’s hair from her face. She walked closely beside Aaron, their hips brushing now and then, making her acutely aware of his presence.
Was this proximity for show, or did it mean something more? She forced the thought away. Of course, it was on purpose. They’d practised walking like this. Although, wasn’t she meant to walk with other gentlemen in such proximity?
Aaron broke the silence before she could pursue the thought further.
“You and Lady Worcester seem to be getting along well. I hadn’t expected to see her today, let alone having such an intimate conversation with you.”
Judith nodded, a soft smile playing on her lips. “Marianne was ill, and Matilda offered to come. We have been getting along very well of late. I’ve spoken to her more and more lately, thanks to you.”
Aaron’s eyebrows rose in genuine curiosity. “Thanks to me? How so?”
Judith glanced at him. “You told me about Matilda’s past. It made me want to get to know her better. In a way, her story isn’t so different from mine. She was forced into a marriage she didn’t want but then found love, if briefly. I hope to avoid being pushed into a marriage I don’t want and find love on my terms, as she did. Matilda taught me that even having love briefly is worth it, so I will do my best to find someone I can love and marry in the short time I have before Oliver returns. In any case, I will fight for love. I am certain the perfect man for me is out there.”
“And pray, who might that be? I realize that we have not spoken of what you really want in a gentleman. We have just focused on who is available that might not offend you too much,” he said, his voice thick with something she could not place.
She thought about this before replying. “Someone who cares about others, who is honorable and righteous. Someone who likes music and is entertaining to talk to. Someone who has an interest in things beyond Society,” she replied, realizing she was describing him.
She looked up at him, wanting to make sure he wasn’t unsettled by this, and saw that he’d paled. Mortified, she stopped.
“Are you unwell? Did something I said upset you?”
He shook his head, dismissing her worry with a wave of his hand. “No, I’m fine. Indeed, I must confess, I did not hear much of what you said. I’m afraid I cannot focus—I slept poorly.”
Judith was at once relieved that he hadn’t heard her accurate description of him as her ideal man and disappointed, which was of course silly. Even if he had heard her, the description could be applied to many gentlemen, surely.
“Would you like to sit down for a while?” she asked, concerned.
Aaron smiled but shook his head again. “No, we have a task to do.”
She nodded her head, but she did not feel like being charming. She was stuck in her own head, which swirled with questions she could not answer and feelings she didn’t understand. But they were here for a reason, he was right.
As they passed a group of gentlemen, Aaron leaned in slightly and whispered, “Smile.”
Judith forced a smile, but it felt unnatural, almost as if she were baring her teeth.
