“Really, Judith. You need to stop being so unkind to him. I know you do not like him and he teased you when you were children, but you were quite terrible to him as well. Besides, you are adults now,” Oliver chided her.
If only you knew the truth.
“It was a true miracle that he brought us together, Lady Judith. Without him, I might not have found you again. He is quite fond of you, I will say,” Graham assured her. “So much so that I remember thinking for a moment that Aaron wanted to keep you for himself because I was sure he saw us talking in the park, but he denied it.”
Judith’s heart skipped a beat. She knew for certain that Aaron had seen her talking to Graham—he had been the one to tell her to stand there and feed the birds. Why would he deny knowing who she was? Could it be that he had feelings for her, after all?
No, no, she had to stop these foolish thoughts.
Graham noticed her reaction and looked at her quizzically. “Is everything alright, Lady Judith?”
Judith managed a weak smile. “Yes, of course. I was just… thinking about how fortunate we are.”
Matilda gave her another concerned look, but Judith couldn’t bring herself to explain. She felt trapped, torn between her love for Aaron and her desire not to hurt Graham. She knew that marrying Graham while still in love with Aaron would be unfair to him, yet the thought of calling off the wedding and facing the scandal was daunting.
And what was wrong with her anyhow? Why could she not let go of this man, who’d made it clear that she was nothing but a burden to him?
“Let’s go over the menu for the reception,” Oliver suggested, trying to keep the conversation light. “Judith, do you have any preferences?”
Judith shook her head. “Whatever you all decide will be fine. I’m not picky.”
Graham looked at her with a mix of concern and confusion. “Are you sure, Lady Judith? This is your special day. I want it to be perfect for you.”
She nodded, swallowing past the lump in her throat. “Yes, I’m sure. I trust your judgment.”
The conversation continued around her, but Judith felt more and more detached. She knew she should be excited, should be fully engaged in the planning of her own wedding, but all she could think about was Aaron and the conflicting emotions that tore at her heart.
Matilda tried to draw her in again. “Judith, how about the cake? Do you have a favorite flavor?”
Judith blinked, trying to focus. “Oh, um… maybe something simple, like vanilla.”
Matilda exchanged a glance with Oliver, clearly worried. “Very well, vanilla it is.”
Graham reached over and took Judith’s hand. “I just want you to be happy, Lady Judith. If there’s anything you want, please don’t hesitate to say so.”
She squeezed his hand, feeling a wave of guilt wash over her. “Thank you, My Lord. I appreciate it.”
Their conversation was interrupted by the sound of the butler’s footsteps marching down the hall. The steady, deliberate sound filled the room, drawing everyone’s attention to the door.
The butler, a tall man with a dignified bearing, paused just inside the threshold and looked at Oliver. “Excuse me, My Lord. The Duke of Nottingham is here.”
Judith felt her heart stop. She grew pale, her thoughts racing. Why was Aaron here? What could he possibly want?
Oliver glanced at her, noticing the sudden change in her demeanor. “Judith, were you expecting him?”
“No, surely he must be here to see you,” she replied.
“Aaron is always good for a surprise,” Graham chimed in with a chuckle. “I’m sure he heard we’re planning the wedding and wanted to give us his advice—particularly when it comes to which spirits and sweetmeats to serve.”
Graham meant well, but Judith could not shake the feeling of dread in her stomach.
Oliver stood up. “I’ll go and see what Aaron wants. After that, we should go and meet with old Lady Leeds. She is meeting us at the Mayfair house to plan the wedding breakfast. We’ll let her know our decisions and then move on with the planning. You go ahead and get ready, Judith.”
Judith stood up as he stepped out into the hall.
“Judith, you do not seem very happy with the planning,” Graham noted, drawing her attention away from the door. “Are you sure you are not unwell? It is quite normal to feel that way. I can ask my mother to take over more of the planning. She will gladly do it.”
His mother… Judith thought she might throw up. She’d met Lady Leeds numerous times, and while she was a tall, robust, and thus intimidating lady, she was also kind and sweet. There were so many more people involved in this now than just Judith and Graham…
