She could not let Aaron deter or confuse her. Not that she had any reason to believe that was why he’d come. Still, Judith needed to know why he was there.
“I assure you,” she replied, “I am well. I simply do not have many ideas for the wedding. I was never the sort of girl to plan her wedding with her friends, fantasizing.”
That was a lie. For she’d spent hours with her friends planning their perfect weddings. She simply didn’t want to admit that it wastheirwedding she had no interest in planning.
“If that is all, I can understand,” Graham relented.
She felt a strange anger rising within her.
Did he have to be so perfect and understanding all the time? If there was a bad quality in him, she might not feel so terrible.
What a strange thought. I must have lost my mind.
“It is,” she said. “Now, let me collect my gloves from upstairs.”
She hurriedly left the room, her mind reeling. She needed to get away, needed to clear her head. As she exited, she caught Matilda’s glance and knew right away that her stepmother knew there was more to this—and soon she’d confront her. And then, her web of lies would grow even more intricate because she could not admit to anyone that her heart, her silly heart, still yearned for the man who’d wronged her so badly.
Aaron held his breath as he saw Oliver striding purposefully toward him.
His friend smiled at him, but then he furrowed his brow. Aaron’s presence clearly surprised him.
“Aaron, now isn’t a good time,” Oliver said, his voice firm and unyielding. “My family and I are meeting with Graham about the wedding.”
Aaron clenched his fists, his heart pounding. “It can’t wait, Oliver. I need to talk to you about Judith.”
Oliver frowned, frustration and concern etched on his features. “What about Judith?”
Aaron took a deep breath, detecting the scent of lavender and roses in the air. “It is of a personal nature. Could we step into the…” he trailed off as he saw Judith make her way toward the stairs.
She suddenly stopped and turned around, as if she’d changed her mind about her destination.
“Aaron?” Oliver called.
Before Aaron could answer, Judith made her way toward them. She looked stunning in a light blue silk gown that flowed elegantly around her, accentuating her graceful figure. Her hair was swept up in an intricate chignon, with a few delicate curls framing her face. Her eyes, however, were filled with confusion and apprehension as they met Aaron’s.
“Aaron, why are you here?” she asked, her voice full of surprise and tension.
Aaron’s heart ached at the sight of her. He took a deep breath, trying to steady his nerves. “I need to talk to you both.”
“I have nothing to say to you,” she declared.
“Judy,” Oliver interjected, even more perplexed, “what has happened between the two of you? You are so… odd around one another.”
“Nothing happened,” Judith said. “It does not matter. Aaron, I do not need to talk to you about anything.”
“Yes, you do,” Aaron insisted, balling his hands into fists until his nails dug into his palms. “Judith, you can’t marry Graham.”
Oliver’s expression darkened with anger. “What are you talking about? You’re the one who set up this match.”
Aaron shook his head. “I made a mistake. Judith shouldn’t marry Graham. She doesn’t love him, and he doesn’t love her. But I… I love her.”
The hall fell silent, the weight of his confession hanging heavily in the air.
Oliver’s face contorted with rage. “You have some nerve, Aaron. After everything, you come here and say this? Get out of my house.”
“No,” Aaron said firmly, standing his ground. “I won’t leave. Not until you understand.”
Oliver stepped forward, his fists clenched. “You dare to defy me in my own home? You are my dearest friend, but I will not havethis. Judith is happy to marry Graham, and I will not let you ruin this for her for whatever strange reasons you have.”
