“Yes, it is,” she replied, trying to keep her voice steady.
She looked at the theater’s entrance, wishing Graham would hurry up and get out. She calculated how long it would take him to get back inside, past the stragglers and up the stairs to his box, then down again. He might be gone a little while longer.
Lady Lundgren looked her up and down, her lips curling into a faint, disapproving smile. “I hope you’re not still keeping company with that arrogant man.”
Judith felt a surge of anger and a desire to defend Aaron, but she caught herself. Why should she feel any loyalty toward a man who had kissed her and then dismissed her as nothing but trouble?
“I am here with Lord Leeds,” she stated, lifting her chin slightly. “We were just leaving the theater.”
“Good,” Lady Lundgren uttered with a nod of approval. “You shouldn’t waste yourself on an aloof, arrogant duke when you can have a decent earl.”
“Indeed, Lady Judith. I am glad you escaped the situation unscathed,” Thomas said.
“Not thanks to you,” Judith snapped.
He blinked at her as if wounded. “Anything I did, I did to protect you,” he said quickly while his sister looked at him with surprise.
Lady Lundgren didn’t know, did she? How did she think he ended up with a split lip that night?
“You attempted to ruin me because you did not like my being with Aaron—I would not call that helping,” Judith countered in as snippy a tone as she could muster.
“You did what?” Lady Lundgren gasped.
“You did not tell her? You forced yourself on me, and if not for Aaron, you would have ruined my reputation,” Judith hissed.
Thomas gulped before turning to his sister. “Nonsense,” he huffed. “Let us go.”
“You told me he attacked you at random,” Lady Lundgren said as her brother dragged her away from the scene.
Judith watched them walk away, a knot forming in her stomach. She felt dreadful, though she couldn’t quite understand why. Was it because of the disdain in Amelia’s voice? Or perhaps it was the reminder of how Aaron had treated her, dismissing her so easily after that kiss.
She was still lost in her thoughts when Graham returned, gloves in hand.
“Shall we?” he asked with a warm smile, extending his arm to her.
Judith forced a smile and took his arm, allowing him to help her into the carriage. The last thing she wanted was for him to notice something was amiss. As they settled into their seats, the carriage began to move, and Graham struck up a conversation about the play. Judith responded politely, but her mind was elsewhere.
The carriage ride back to her home was uneventful and filled with more pleasant conversation. Graham was charming and considerate as always, making her laugh with a few anecdotes about his childhood. But beneath the surface, Judith’s thoughts churned with confusion and doubt.
When they finally arrived at her home, Graham helped her out of the carriage.
“Thank you for a wonderful evening, Lady Judith,” he said, looking into her eyes. “I hope we can do this again soon. Perhaps on Sunday?”
“Yes, that would be lovely. Oliver will be back on Monday, by the way. I had a letter from him this morning,” she revealed, having forgotten all about it.
“Ah, very well.” Graham smiled. “Then I shall be sure to call on him. Now, I will collect you after church on Sunday, and we can go to Hyde Park with my sister and mother, yes?”
She’d met his mother and sister twice, and they were nice enough, though she was in no rush to see them again. Alas, she had no good reason to say no and thus nodded.
“Of course,” Judith replied with a smile, though her heart wasn’t in it.
She watched as the carriage drove away, then turned around and walked slowly toward her front door.
Inside, the house was quiet, the servants having retired for the night. Judith made her way to her chamber, feeling a strange mix of emotions. She was grateful for Graham’s attention and kindness, but she couldn’t shake the feeling that something was missing.
She closed the door behind her and leaned against it, taking a deep breath. Her thoughts drifted back to her encounter with Lady Lundgren and her brother. She felt a pang of anger at how they had spoken about Aaron. But even more than that, she felt a sense of loss.
Judith crossed the room to her dressing table and sat down, staring at her reflection in the mirror. She could see the confusion in her eyes, the uncertainty about her feelings. Why did she still care for this man? Why did she miss him? It made no sense. She should be happy and focus on the future. As Lady Leeds, she could have a good life. She’d have childrenand a grand home to live in… Yet, it all felt empty.
