The words echoed in her mind, clashing against the reality of her situation. She loved him too, but there was Graham. Kind, dependable Graham, who had done nothing but care for her.
Her thoughts were a whirlwind of elation and shock. Aaron’s confession had turned her world upside down. She felt as if she were standing on the edge of a precipice, unsure of whether to leap or step back. The garden, usually a place of solace, now seemed fraught with uncertainty. The scent of blooming roses mixed with the earthy aroma of the freshly watered ground, but it offered no comfort.
The front door creaked open behind her. Judith turned around, her breath catching as she spotted Graham stepping into the garden. His expression was unreadable, but his eyes held a depth of understanding that pierced through her inner turmoil.
“Lady Judith,” he said softly, coming closer. His presence was like a gentle anchor, stabilizing her chaotic emotions for a brief moment. “I overheard some of what Aaron said to you in the great hall before you went into the parlor.”
Her heart sank, guilt washing over her. She opened her mouth to speak, but no words came.
Graham reached out, gently taking her hand in his. His touch was warm and steady, a stark contrast to her trembling fingers.
“We need to talk,” he said, guiding her to a stone bench near the blooming roses.
They sat in silence for a moment, the tension between them palpable.
“My Lord, I—” Judith began, but he held up a hand to stop her.
“Judith, Aaron is right,” he admitted, his voice steady but filled with quiet resignation. “I care for you greatly, and I think we could have a wonderful life together, but I don’t love you. Not in the way a husband should love his wife. I think, in time, I might grow to love you, and perhaps you could grow to love me as well. But there are no guarantees.”
Tears welled up in her eyes, blurring her vision. “I’m so sorry. I never wanted to hurt you.”
He shook his head, a gentle smile on his lips. “You don’t need to apologize. This isn’t anyone’s fault. We entered into this arrangement thinking it was the best for both of us. But sometimes, things don’t work out the way we plan.”
She looked down, her hands shaking in her lap. The delicate lace of her dress seemed to mock her with its fragility.
“So, you do not want to get married anymore?” she asked, though she already knew the answer.
“Not if you love Aaron. If you do not—for I did not hear what you said to him—then I am willing to move forward with this wedding. Love is not a prerequisite for marriage, after all. But if you do…”
“I do love Aaron,” she confessed, the words spilling out. “I’ve loved him for a long time.”
Graham nodded, his expression thoughtful. “I suspected as much. Then you need to do what is right for you, Judith. I’d hate myself if we got married and you were unhappy because you love someone else. I want you to be happy. And selfishly, I want to be loved as well. Or at least have the affection of my wife rather than just her respect.”
Was this it? Was this engagement over so quickly and so easily? And, dare she think it, so pleasantly?
Judith’s tears began to fall, and she squeezed his hand. “Thank you for understanding. You’re a good man, Graham. I hope you find someone who can love you the way you deserve.”
He smiled again, this time with a hint of sadness. “Maybe I will. But right now, you have someone to catch. I saw Aaron and Oliver talking after you went out, and Aaron said he was going home and would await your answer to whatever you discussed there.”
She looked at him in confusion until he nodded toward the house.
“Aaron’s leaving. You should go after him.”
Her heart leapt into her throat. She stood up, her legs shaky but determined. “Thank you, Graham. Truly.”
“Go,” he urged gently. “Don’t let this chance slip away.”
With one last grateful look, Judith turned and rushed toward the house. She burst through the door and saw Aaron just as he was about to leave. His back was to her, his shoulders slumped as if the weight of the world rested on them.
“Aaron!” she called, her voice breaking.
He froze, then slowly turned around. The pain in his eyes was evident, but there was also a glimmer of hope. The soft light from the hallway cast shadows on his face, highlighting the depth of his emotions.
Judith took a deep breath, her emotions a tangled mess of fear, love, and desperation. “Aaron, wait.”
He took a step toward her, his eyes searching hers. “Judith, I’m so sorry for everything. I?—”
She shook her head, cutting him off. “No, Aaron. I need to say this. I love you. I’ve always loved you. And I don’t want to spend another moment pretending otherwise.”
