CHAPTER 26
“… a
nd she adores music,” Graham said, his eyes twinkling, “and she dances like an angel. Her sense of humor is something to behold, and she’s such a vivid storyteller.”
He went on while Aaron sat beside him and opened his snuff box. He inserted his thumb and index finger into the snuff, then sniffed it up his nose, allowing it to tickle his nostrils and down his throat. Then he took his glass of brandy and emptied it in two swallows, before motioning for the waiter to bring another.
“That is wonderful, indeed. I am glad you are enjoying her company so much. You have seen a lot of her, haven’t you?”
Graham nodded. “Yes, I have seen her four times in the last two weeks, and I’m seeing her again tonight. I’m taking her to the theater. They are playing both a comedy and a drama. I thoughtI could not go wrong with that. She’s bound to enjoy at least one of them.”
“She will enjoy both, I am certain. She loves the theater,” Aaron said, wishing that he was in his friend’s stead.
“Are you quite certain you are not bothered by my courting her? You seem a little sullen.”
Aaron shook his head. “No, I am quite glad that you are getting along so well. I am only sullen because I am bored. I have been cooped up inside for six weeks now, and I find it dull. I miss feeling the wind on my face. I have half a mind to travel to Italy. Would you care to join me?”
Graham had occasionally joined Aaron and Oliver on their journeys, but he hadn’t for some time. Judging by his expression, he wasn’t about to now.
“I think not. I have just met a woman I care for. I am not about to abandon her. No, my dear friend, I intend to spend as much time with Judith as she is willing to give me. And, if all goes well, I will make an offer soon. I plan to introduce her to my parents next week.”
“Introduce her to your parents? Is it not a little soon?”
“I think not. I will see her a few more times before then. I will make sure it is a simple tea, not a formal dinner. But in time.”
Aaron forced a smile, feeling the sting of his words. “That sounds like a good plan, Graham. I wish you both the best.”
He heard the words come out of his mouth but knew he did not mean them. He wanted Judith at his side. He missed her more and more with each day. He’d hoped to see her after the ball, but she’d declined to see him time and again.
Why did he kiss her?
He could not understand himself. It had to have been the kiss that made her turn away from him. Well, in a way, it was good that he had done it because now he knew that she truly would not have wanted to be with him had he dared ask her. He hadn’t seen her in almost two weeks now, and he felt her absence in his life acutely.
He had come to call on her the day after the ball, only to have Lady Worcester turn him away, telling him that Judith had gone to meet a friend. The following day, he happened to see her in the park with Graham and didn’t even bother to approach her. Lady Worcester was with them, of course, acting as a chaperone. As he watched Judith and Graham walking and chatting, he wondered why she didn’t let him know she was going to see his friend. But then he had to remind himself that he no longer played a role in her life.
He had been tasked with finding her a husband, or at least someone who had caught her interest by the time Oliver returned, and he had done that. She no longer needed him. It was painful to know how quickly she had turned on him. She hadmentioned at the Lord Chancellor’s ball that she and Graham were going to see one another regularly, but he had simply assumed he would guide her through the next few weeks.
Of course, a part of him had known that it wasn’t necessary, but perhaps she might have allowed him to be around, to give her advice still. Yes, he was sure she would have because they had been friendly. He had come to regard her as a true friend, a true…
He rubbed his temples as Graham continued extolling Judith’s virtues.
He knew she would have allowed him to remain in her life at least until Oliver returned, but he had ruined that when he kissed her.
Why did I do such a foolish thing? Why did I give in to my impulses?
He knew very well, given her behavior and lack of interaction, exactly how idiotic he had been.
It hadn’t felt foolish at the time. It felt like nothing he had ever experienced, but the moment he stepped back and looked at her, all he saw was Amelia’s face, and her brother’s twisted in anger. He was a bad influence on any woman, and he had to remind himself of that.
“I think it would be splendid, eh wot?” Graham asked and slapped him on the knee with a grin.
Aaron looked up, drawn from his thoughts. “I beg your pardon, I did not sleep well. What did you say?”
Graham took a gulp of his whiskey, his Adam’s apple bobbing in his throat. He placed the glass down with a thud and carefully wiped the spilled liquid with his handkerchief.
“I said once you find yourself a young lady, we could all take a trip together—you and your lady, and me and Lady Judith. Maybe her brother could come. I am sure at his age, he is going to be looking for a wife as well. Especially now that he is already a marquess.”
Aaron nodded. “Of course. We could do that. The Duke of Wells has sent me an invitation some while ago.”
