After breakfast, Oliver excused himself to take care of some business, leaving Judith and Matilda alone.
Matilda looked at Judith with a knowing smile. “It’s good to have him back, isn’t it?”
Judith nodded. “Yes, it really is.”
“Now, what are your plans for the day?” Matilda asked, changing the subject.
“I think I’ll take a walk in the garden,” Judith said, standing up. “Would you like to join me?”
Matilda shook her head. “No, you go ahead. I have some letters to write.”
Judith made her way to the garden, the cool morning air refreshing against her skin. She wandered among the flowers, her thoughts drifting to Oliver, Lord Leeds, and the future. For the first time in a while, she felt a sense of clarity.
The garden door opened then, and her brother stepped out, motioning for her to wait.
“Judith, is everything quite alright? Did Aaron take good care of you while I was away? There were no issues, were there?”
Issues? Well, Aaron had kissed her and then called her a burden after placing a wager on her ability to find a husband. And that was after he’d humiliated her in front of his cocky friends. And then there was the trouble with Thomas Cornell…
It had been an eventful few weeks, but none of this mattered now. Thus, Judith simply nodded, feeling a wave of awkwardness wash over her. She didn’t want to talk about Aaron at all, so she quickly changed the subject.
“Lord Leeds has been very attentive.”
Oliver furrowed his brow slightly, but he let her redirect the conversation. “Do you think he will propose soon?”
“Yes,” Judith replied, trying to sound enthusiastic. “I believe he will.”
However, the lack of genuine excitement in her voice was evident, even to her own ears.
Oliver sighed, leaning back in his chair. “I had a lot of time to think during my trip. I’m sorry if I pushed you too hard about finding a suitor. Elizabeta has been an influence on me when it comes to matters of the heart,” he admitted, his cheeks reddening.
Whoever this young woman was, she’d changed her brother.
“I just wanted what’s best for you. I love you, Judith.”
Judith was taken aback, feeling a warmth spread through her. “I love you too, Oliver,” she said, her voice soft with emotion. “It means a lot to hear you say that. And I want you to know that you do not need to worry. You will make a wonderful Marquess of Worcester. I know Father has left large shoes to fill, but you will fill them well. And Matilda will help.”
“I see Aaron has spoken out of turn,” he said and grimaced, but then he smiled again. “I do thank you for your trust in me. But I am worried. Father was so popular. I always aspired to be like him, but I fear I never will get there…”
“You will,” she repeated. “But you must be your own man. There is no point in aspiring to be him—you must be yourself, and people will follow.”
“You’re right. I must say, both you and Matilda are quite changed. She is more direct than she has ever been before, and you are bolder than you were when I left. Have you learned that from her?”
They sat in comfortable silence for a moment before Judith said, “Matilda and I get along very well now. We’ve grown quite close.”
Oliver smiled. “I’m glad to hear that. Family is important, and I want us all to be closer and to listen to one another.”
Judith nodded. “I want that, too.”
Their conversation was interrupted when a carriage rolled down the drive and Judith spotted the crest of the Duke of Nottingham. Her heart skipped a beat, and a flurry of emotions surged through her.
“I have dallied too long. I need to get ready,” she stated quickly, rising from the bench.
“You’re leaving? But I invited Aaron to have tea with us to talk about the last few months,” her brother said, genuinely surprised.
Judith chewed on her bottom lip and shrugged. “I do beg your pardon, but I made my plans before I knew you were returning. I’m seeing Joanna this morning.”
Oliver looked slightly disappointed but understanding. “Well, alright. I suppose if you made commitments. But wait. I invited Aaron here, so the least you could do is greet him before you go.”
