It wasn’t how he wanted to spend his days, but he had no option. He’d do what had been asked of him and hope it would go seamlessly, for the last thing he needed was to get stuck with Lady Judith for longer than necessary.
CHAPTER 3
Judith sat at the table and stabbed her fork into the carrot before her. It pierced the buttery vegetable with ease, and the sound of her fork hitting the porcelain filled the silence.
“Judith?” Matilda prompted. “Is something the matter? You seem a little perturbed.”
Perturbed. Judith snickered at the word, for it was nowhere near a powerful enough word to explain just how she felt.
“I am vexed,” she said, looking up from her plate.
“Because your brother left again?” Matilda asked.
It was clear from her tone that she did not like Oliver’s departure any more than Judith did, though perhaps for other reasons.
“Indeed. He should not be traveling now—we are in our mourning period. He should be here, with the family, and take an interest in the estate and its needs. But that is not why I am upset,” Judith said and turned to Matilda.
She wanted to tell her stepmother everything that truly bothered her. Everything from the way her brother had distanced himself from the family for years only to now swoop in, thinking he could change everything, including the way he’d commanded her to find a husband.
She wanted to tell her how humiliated she’d felt when her brother, whom she hardly knew, had told her that his friend, whom she knew no better but disliked greatly, was to help her find a husband. To teach her ‘tricks,’ to ensnare a man. Furthermore, she wanted to tell her stepmother about the argument that had broken out between her and Oliver after Aaron had left. An argument during which she’d made her position clear: She did not want to be forced to court anyone, least of all under the supervision of Aaron Fitzwilliam.
Alas, she knew she could tell Matilda none of these things. They weren’t friends. Nor were they really mother and daughter. Theirs was an odd relationship. While she liked her well enough and things had been amicable while her father was alive, she wasn’t quite sure where she stood with Matilda now.
Matilda had moved into the dower house some weeks ago but still dined with the family daily, and it was clear she was not going anywhere—at least until she remarried, as was the custom. In any case, the melancholy that had set in with her husband’sdeath continued to plague her, and burdening her with more troubles would not be fair or right.
Thus, Judith shook her head.
“It is nothing. I am simply unhappy that he has left as he did. That is all.”
Matilda placed a hand on her arm. “I understand. But do not fret too much, dear. He will find his way. As will you.”
Judith sighed and gave a nod before returning to her meal. She wished she had her mother with her still, she’d understand. She’d speak to Oliver and explain how foolish his plan was. No, she would not even have to. If her mother hadn’t died, her father probably would not have died either because… because… Well, because everything would have been different.
She didn’t know how likely these were foolish thoughts, but she could not help herself. These past few days, all she could do was think how things could have been different, how she longed for things to be different. And yet there was not a thing she could do, for she was powerless. She was literally at the mercy of her brother and his changeable temperament. And at that, of his irritating and handsome friend.
Judith sat on the edge of a wooden bench in Hyde Park, the sun casting dappled patterns through the canopy of trees above. Beside her, Rosy pulled her scarf closer around her, her eyes wide with incredulity.
“I can’t believe it, Judith. Your brother has left before the mourning period is over, and now the Duke of Nottingham is to help you find a match and serve as your guardian while Oliver is away?” Rosy exclaimed, her voice reflecting the apprehension Judith felt. “It is ridiculous.”
Judith nodded, her expression one of resigned acceptance. “Yes, that’s exactly what happened. Oliver has always been so restless. I suppose I shouldn’t be surprised, but it’s still… unbelievable. And to imply I do not know how to find a husband on my own, it is insulting. I know everyone thinks I am on the shelf, but for my own brother to say it…”
“And the Duke of Nottingham of all people. You know I do not like idle gossip, but I know he has a dreadful reputation for debauchery.” Rosy wetted her lips. “I will not speak badly of someone simply because he enjoys the company of the ladies. George did as well before we met, but the Duke of Nottingham is a known gambler, and he drinks like a fish and…”
“I know, I know it all,” Judith muttered, although she felt worse now that she’d heard her friend repeat the stories she’d read in the scandal sheets.
She shook her head, remembering their childhood days when Aaron had been insufferably arrogant.
“I heard he’s the biggest charmer in the realm,” she said. “And he tried to charm me. He tried to make it sound as if all was well and we’d have a grand time—right after admitting he didnot want to be around me any more than I wanted to be around him.”
“And what did you do in the end?” Rosy asked breathlessly.
“I left him to stand where he was and stormed away. I spoke to Oliver, but it was of no use. Can you believe he wants to teach me tricks? To learn to charm a man as if I am utterly useless?”
Judith knew she sounded indignant, but the truth was that she’d worried about her ability to find a husband on her own after her brother had so severely hurt her confidence. Could it be that she had indeed lost her charm? She’d been out of practice even before her father passed away, and now she’d missed out on most of the Season, and all that lay ahead of her were the masquerade balls of winter and?—
No. I must not let these men confuse me. I do know how to charm a gentleman—I simply want to make sure I charm the right one.
Judith’s lips pressed into a thin line, her irritation evident. “Who does he think he is? It’s outrageous that he’s been given any power over my life. I can manage quite well on my own, thank you very much.”
