CHAPTER 33
Judith sat in the drawing room, surrounded by the hum of conversation. Sunlight streamed through the tall windows, casting a golden glow over the polished wooden floors and the elegant furniture.
The room was decorated with fresh flowers, their scent mingling with the faint aroma of the tea that had been laid out on a low table between them. The chatter around her was lively and cheerful, but she struggled to keep her mind on the discussion.
Graham, Oliver, and Matilda were animatedly talking about the details of her upcoming wedding. Graham, ever enthusiastic, held up sketches of floral arrangements, his eyes sparkling with excitement.
“Lady Judith, what do you think of these bouquets?” he askedeagerly.
Judith forced a smile and nodded. “They look lovely, My Lord,” she replied, her voice sounding distant even to her own ears.
“Which is your favorite? I quite like the roses, but if you’d rather have tulips…”
“No, the roses are lovely,” she assured him, pointing at the drawing.
“Very well, roses it is,” Graham said.
Oliver, who was sitting beside Matilda, nodded approvingly. “A splendid choice, Graham. These arrangements will add a touch of elegance to the ceremony.”
Matilda glanced at Judith and mouthed, “Are you alright?”
Judith quickly nodded, not trusting herself to speak.
Matilda gave her a small, concerned smile before turning back to the conversation.
Oliver and Graham were getting along famously, discussing every detail with a camaraderie that should have warmed Judith’s heart. Instead, it only added to her guilt.
“I was thinking we could have a string quartet for the wedding breakfast,” Graham continued, oblivious to her inner turmoil. “It would be perfect, don’t you think?”
“Yes, that sounds wonderful,” Judith replied, though her thoughts were elsewhere.
She felt a pang of guilt for not being more present, for not sharing in his excitement.
“Excellent! I’ll arrange for them right away,” Graham declared, jotting down a note. “I will ask for the quartet that played at Lord Laurel’s dinner. Do you remember them?”
Judith nodded, though she could not recall the details. The days and their outings had bled one into the other, and she could no longer distinguish between them.
Matilda noticed her distracted expression. “Judith, what do you think about the venue decorations? We have a few options here.”
Judith glanced at the sketches her stepmother handed her, but the lines and colors blurred before her eyes. “They’re all beautiful. I’m sure whatever you choose will be perfect.”
Matilda frowned slightly but let it go, turning her attention back to Graham and Oliver, who were discussing the guest list.
“And for a maid of honor? Do you think you will choose the Duchess of Cambridge?” Graham asked.
“Rosy? Yes, yes, I should think so,” Judith replied. Although, in reality, she hadn’t wasted a moment thinking about bridesmaids and such.
“And who will be your best man?” Oliver asked with a wink. “I shall say I have an idea.”
Graham grinned. “Of course, it will have to be Aaron. I’ve not asked him yet, but I shall.”
At the mention of Aaron’s name, Judith sat upright and blinked.
“He will be at the wedding?” she blurted out without meaning to.
Oliver and Graham looked at her with surprise, while Matilda’s face paled slightly.
“Of course,” Graham said. “After all, Aaron brought us together,” he reminded her, chuckling.
