She was exasperating, that much was obvious. However, he could see that these next few weeks might be a challenge—and while she was rather irritating right now, Aaron wasn’t the sort to shy away from a challenge. Indeed, as he watched her, he realized that it was quite understandable she’d be upset.
For one, she was of an age where she was considered an old maid—a circumstance that had to be mortifying for any young lady. And for another, she had to worry about her status, so perhaps her defiance was not born out of rudeness but out of mortification and fear.
Determined to break through to her, he lowered his voice and used the sort of tone he usually used when he wished to charm a young lady.
“Lady Judith, I believe we have misunderstood one another. I do not want to upset you. I am merely here to help you and Oliver. That is all. It is my duty to ensure you can court and be introduced to eligible bachelors while your brother is away with a sense of security. Security I will provide. You can rest assured, there is nothing to worry about at all,” he said and smiled.
Alas, his assurance had not had the desired effect.
She threw her head back and glared at him. “Your Grace, you might be used to charming ladies whenever you wish, but this theater will not work on me. I will speak to my brother, for I do not need nor wish someone to provide me with security or a match. I am quite independent, even if my brother refuses to see it. Excuse me,” she huffed and marched past him before he could so much as gather his wits about him.
The door creaked open and slammed shut behind her while he was left standing there, blinking in confusion.
She was a spitfire, there were no other words for it. And at that moment, Aaron realized that the task before him would be much more difficult than he ever could have imagined.
“I am not so certain about this, Oliver,” Aaron said later, after his friend had rejoined him. “Your sister stormed out in rather a huff. She doesn’t seem to want my company while you’re away.”
Oliver waved a hand, dismissing his concern. “Ah, she is a little theatrical. She always has been, you know this. She will learn to appreciate your help. Besides, she has no choice.”
Aaron took a deep breath, taking in the notes of cedar in the air from the fireplace.
“Exactly what is it that you wish for me to do? You said I am to look after her but that she also needs help finding a husband? I am unsure what role I am to play.”
Oliver smirked. “Yes, when I asked you to look after her and keep an eye on things, that is what I meant. She will need to attend balls and dinners and all manner of things to find a husband. I cannot accompany her, but I want you to. Along with a proper chaperone, of course. You know everyone in town, Aaron. Introduce her to your friends.”
Aaron shrugged. That he could do. While he enjoyed traveling the world with Oliver, he spent more time at home than his friend did because his own father had passed some years ago, thus leaving him with the burden of managing the duchy. He stillmade sure to spend much of his time away from rainy England—preferring Italy, Spain, and France—when the war allowed.
There was indeed nothing better than to frolic in the waves under the Italian sunshine, and spending evenings with lovely ladies while sipping fine wine and eating delicacies. He knew in England, his tendency to enjoy life was frowned upon, and he’d earned a reputation as a rake, but his life had made him happy—so far.
Besides, Aaron hardly considered himself deserving of being called a rake. Yes, he liked to keep the company of ladies, but he wasn’t the sort to abuse his position or wilfully ruin anyone. Indeed, he made it a point not to spend private time alone with young ladies whose reputations might suffer because of it.
No, all the ladies he was with over the years were willing and capable of looking after themselves. However, he’d never felt the urge to clarify this to the English high society. In fact, he liked having such a bad reputation because it achieved two things: A certain popularity among the young nobles who wished to live as he and Oliver did but wouldn’t dare, and a distinct lack of attention from aristocratic families looking for husbands for their daughters.
No gentleman would want to marry his daughter off to a man with so adventurous a lifestyle as him—and it suited him just fine, for he was not in any hurry to find a wife. Indeed, he enjoyed his bachelor life so much that he was considering making it permanent.
“I can introduce her, certainly. But pray, what exactly is it that you want? For her to have a husband ready for you to approve of when you return?”
“Indeed,” Oliver confirmed. “My father has been far too lenient with Judith. He should have forced her to marry when she was betrothed, but he gave in to her foolish desire to marry for love because her friends, those Blackmore sisters, did. And see where it left her. An old maid.”
“I would not call her an old maid,” Aaron countered, uncomfortable with that description, for it felt unkind and needlessly rude. Besides, Lady Judith hadn’t struck him as what he considered an old maid. He always pictured timid, homely women when he heard that term, and she was none of these things. “She struck me as rather opinionated and independent.”
Oliver let out a belly laugh. “She fancies herself both these things, but she is neither. She has not courted anyone in years, and I doubt she knows how to charm a man. You will need to teach her. I already told her you’d teach her skills.”
At this, Aaron’s mouth dropped open. “Teach her?”
“How to charm a man. I know you are not easily charmed, but you know what we like. Help her be graceful, help her make conversation that will draw a gentleman in. Help her find herself a husband, for if she doesn’t find one by the time I return, I shall have to make a match for her.”
“You do not think that is a little too far?” Aaron demanded at once.
He was not one to favor arranged marriages, having almost been forced into one himself. Years ago, his father had attempted to force a match between him and a young lady, Lady Amelia Cornell. Amelia had been perfect for him, according to the matchmaker. Alas, he’d never warmed up to her—and if she was honest, neither had she.
He shuddered as he thought back to the brief courtship and its long, drawn-out, ugly end. No, arranged courtships were a recipe for disaster. Surely, Oliver had to know this. However, he seemed determined.
“On the contrary. Arranged marriages are good for some people—like my sister, who isn’t able to find a husband. Now, I can count on you, yes? You will do all you can to help her?”
Aaron gulped but nodded. He didn’t want to be Lady Judith’s guardian, but he also didn’t feel right about leaving her to her own devices. The idea of his best friend forcing his sister to marry a man of his choosing didn’t sit well with him.
No, he’d do what he could to help the young woman. If she was as capable and confident as she’d presented herself, it ought not be a problem. He’d introduce her to a few eligible bachelors, she’d lose her heart to one of them, and he could wash his hands of the entire situation without upsetting his friend.
