Out in the night, Aaron stopped at the corner, doubling over as he pressed his hands to his knees to catch his breath. It hadn’t been his first fight in a tavern or a club, far from it, but he had never fought with someone he had regarded as a friend. SeeingHenry’s true colors now, Aaron wondered why he had ever considered him a friend.
How had he ever kept company with such a vile man? It seemed unconscionable to him now. He had never spoken about any lady in such a disparaging manner, nor would he ever. But he had kept company with men who did, which spoke poorly of his character.
Judith was fortunate that she had decided to shun him in favor of Graham. Graham was not the sort of man who spoke of ladies in the manner Henry had. Neither was Oliver. The two young gentlemen, his dearest friends, were upstanding, though they each had their own faults.
“Graham!” a voice sounded, interrupting his thoughts.
He looked up to see a carriage pulling up beside him, the window lowering to reveal a familiar face.
“Oliver?” Aaron called out, hardly believing his eyes.
He crossed the road, taking care not to be run over by one of the curricles speeding down the street, and Oliver threw his carriage door open.
“I have just returned,” Oliver announced with a broad smile. “What are you doing out here?”
“I was at the tavern with friends. They collected me at my house, but we had a bit of a quarrel, so I am going to have to take a hackney home,” Aaron replied, still confused to see his friend here.
“Well, get in. I’ll give you a ride to Hyde Park Corner. I would say I will take you home, but I have business in town before I go home,” Oliver said, pulling the carriage door open.
Aaron climbed into the carriage, and then they took off. The interior of the carriage was plush and warm, a stark contrast to the chilly evening air outside.
“I cannot believe you are back. It seems like you left yesterday . France, right?” Aaron asked, settling into his seat and allowing the soft leather to cradle his back.
“Yes, I was there to talk to some suppliers about imports,” Oliver replied. “I am glad the wretched war is over and the ban on French imports lifted. I went to Italy as well, I’ll have you know. It’s been a productive trip. Met a young woman in Italy, actually. Thinking of bringing her back to England.”
“Really?” Aaron said, intrigued.
Oliver often met ladies who piqued his interest during his travels, but he never had the desire to bring one home to make his wife.
“Tell me about her.”
“Her name is Elizabeta. I call her Lizzy. She’s the daughter of a merchant I was dealing with. Intelligent, charming, and quite lovely. I’m considering courting her.”
“Sounds promising, although a merchant’s daughter? Won’t that be frowned upon?”
“Perhaps, but her uncle is a count, so there is that. Besides, the English nobility will be too dazzled by her charm and beauty to notice,” Oliver said with a chuckle.
As they continued to chat about Oliver’s trip, Aaron felt a growing sense of unease. Oliver described his journey through the Continent in vivid detail—the bustling markets of Paris, the picturesque canals of Venice, and the rustic charm of the Italian countryside. Aaron listened, but his mind kept wandering back to Judith. He couldn’t shake the image of her face, her smile, and the sound of her laughter. And soon, Oliver would ask about her, and he’d have to tell him the truth.
As long as Oliver was away, there was a chance that things might still go wrong with Graham and Judith, but now it was inevitable.
“I actually met Elizabeta in Florence,” Oliver was saying. “She was at a social gathering hosted by one of the local merchants. We struck up a conversation, and the rest, as they say, is history. She’s well-educated and speaks several languages. Quite impressive, really. She came with me to Paris, and I must say, the city is indeed for lovers.”
“She sounds wonderful,” Aaron noted, though his heart wasn’t in it.
Oliver noticed his friend’s distraction. “How have you been, Aaron? You seem a bit… off.”
“I’m fine,” Aaron replied quickly. “Just tired, I suppose. It’s been a long day.”
“Understandable.” Oliver nodded. “But do take care of yourself. I’ve missed our conversations.”
Aaron managed a small smile. “I’ve missed them too.”
“Now that I’ve told you all about my love life, what about my sister? Did you do as I asked?” Oliver inquired, concern lacing his voice.
Aaron’s stomach dropped. Here it was. The dreaded question.
He braced himself and nodded. “Yes, she’s in a courtship,” he confirmed, keeping his voice steady.
