Page 20 of Her Charming Duke (Regency Roses #3)

CHAPTER 20

J udith stood before the mirror in her bedchamber, admiring her reflection as Matilda made the final adjustments to her gown.

Her dress was exquisite, a delicate shade of lavender that complemented her fair complexion. It featured a high waistline, cinched just below the bust with a satin ribbon, and flowed gracefully to the floor in soft, billowing folds of silk. The bodice was adorned with intricate lace and tiny seed pearls, adding an air of elegance and refinement. Short, puffed sleeves left her shoulders bare, and a modest décolletage completed the ensemble, striking the perfect balance between sophistication and allure.

Being invited to the Lord Chancellor’s home was a great honor, and she knew she had to look her best. Well, that and of course the fact that Aaron intended to introduce her to someone very promising, indeed.

She sighed, watching her chest rise and fall in the mirror as thoughts of Aaron snuck up on her. She shook her head, chasing them away as Matilda stepped in front of her, helping her with her hair.

Without Marianne, who was still bedridden, Matilda had stepped in, proving surprisingly adept at the task. She gathered Judith’s curls into a loose chignon, securing it with delicate hairpins that sparkled faintly in the candlelight. A few tendrils were left to frame Judith’s face, softening her features and adding a touch of romance to her look.

“You seem nervous, dear. The Lord Chancellor is a grand man, to be sure, but he is mild-mannered, you need not worry. Or is there another reason you are fidgeting?” Matilda asked with a twinkle in her eyes, as if she already knew.

“Aaron is going to introduce me to a gentleman tonight. The one I spoke to at the park, the day we learned about John’s injury,” Judith confided.

Matilda paused, her hands stilling in Judith’s hair. “Oh, I see,” she said, sounding surprised. “Is that what you want, dear?”

Judith nodded resolutely. “It is. I appreciate everyone wanting to help me, but I know I must find a husband now. This gentleman was kind, and he is Aaron’s friend.”

Matilda resumed her task, her expression thoughtful. “I see. Well, if that is what you want, I will not stand in your way, of course. But I noticed the way you and His Grace look at each other. I had an inkling that perhaps there is something between you two. Am I wrong?”

Judith felt her heart clench. She knew Matilda had seen the truth, even if she couldn’t admit it aloud.

“No, there isn’t,” she replied, though the words sounded hollow. “He is helping me, that is all.”

Matilda met her eyes in the mirror, her gaze gentle but probing. “Be careful when making choices, Judith. You need to look out for your heart as well as your future.”

Judith nodded, though she wasn’t sure how much she could control her heart anymore.

Just then, a footman appeared at the door, announcing Aaron’s arrival.

“He’s here,” Judith said and took a deep breath.

Matilda gave her shoulder a reassuring squeeze. “Remember what I said.”

Judith stood up, smoothing down the fabric of her gown. “I will. But I know what I want. Thank you, Matilda.”

She had come to admire her stepmother these last few weeks, but she could not let her influence her now.

She made her way out of her room, her heart pounding with a mix of excitement and trepidation. Tonight could change everything, and she had to be ready for whatever came next.

Judith descended the stairs with an ethereal grace, her gown flowing around her like a cloud. Aaron felt his heart thud painfully in his chest as she approached. Her beauty was almost otherworldly, and he couldn’t take his eyes off her.

Lady Worcester, following close behind, glanced at him and remarked with a light smile, “You’re quite early, Your Grace.”

Aaron cleared his throat, tearing his gaze away from Judith. “I wanted to go over the evening with Judith before we departed. And I thought we might practice a few dances.”

Matilda chuckled softly. “Practice? I thought you had taught her all there is to know about dancing. And she wasn’t all that bad, to begin with.”

“I was rusty, Matilda,” Judith interjected quickly.

Aaron nodded. “Indeed, but she is much better now. However, it is an important ball we are going to, so one can never be too careful.”

“Ah, I see,” Matilda relented and then departed, but not before giving Judith a knowing look.

What was going on here? Aaron wondered what the two of them had been talking about before his arrival but then dismissed the thought. Whatever it was, they had to focus on what was important right now.

“I thought we could go to the ballroom and practice there,” he said and offered Judith his arm, which she took.

They made their way to the ballroom, which stood empty and silent. As they walked, he felt her hip bumping into his every now and again—a technique he’d thought her, although one she was to use with other gentlemen, not him.

“Well, what would you like us to practice?” she asked, looking up at him expectantly.

The polished floor gleamed under the soft glow of the chandeliers. Aaron turned to Judith, his expression serious.

“We should practice a couple of dances the Lord Chancellor is particularly fond of, but which are not often played.”

Judith raised an eyebrow. “What sort of dances?”

Aaron hesitated for a moment. “One of them is the waltz.”

Judith’s eyes widened. “The waltz? That’s not a socially acceptable dance. Even Lord Byron was scandalized by it.”

Aaron smiled. “It’s becoming quite popular now. And I know the Lord Chancellor likes to dance it, and if he does, so will everyone else. Now, do you know the steps?”

Judith shook her head. “I don’t.”

He stepped forward, his gaze never leaving hers. He had always adored the waltz, as it allowed one to be close to one’s partner, although he had to admit, he suddenly wasn’t too sure if showing her was such a good idea. He was trying to stay away from her, after all. But he could not let her embarrass herself, especially if someone at the ball asked her to dance this dance.

“I’ll show you. Don’t worry.”

Judith glanced around the empty ballroom. “But we have no music.”

Aaron’s smile widened. “We do.”

He began to hum a soft, lilting melody, moving his feet in time with the tune. She watched, fascinated, as he demonstrated the steps, his movements fluid and confident. Music had always come easily to him, and he could remember melodies with ease.

“One, two, three. One, two, three,” he said and went back to humming.

Their eyes met, and Aaron felt a spark of something indescribable.

“Now you try,” he said softly.

Judith hesitated, then placed her hand in his. They began to dance, Aaron humming the melody as they moved together. She picked up the tune and started to hum along, her voice blending with his. Likewise, she mastered the steps with ease, stepping on his feet only once. He counted out the steps for them, guiding her with a gentle touch.

As they danced, he felt the warmth of her body close to his, their gazes locked. The room seemed to fade away, leaving just the two of them in a world of their own. They moved in perfect harmony, each step bringing them closer together.

Aaron’s heart raced as he looked into Judith’s eyes. He felt an overwhelming urge to protect her, to be the person she could rely on. But more than that, he realized, he wanted to be with her. The thought of her being with someone else, even someone as good and decent as Graham, filled him with a sense of dread.

The mere idea of Graham holding her like this filled him with rage, which was, of course, irrational…

“This dance is quite something,” Judith said, her eyes shining, though he noted tension in her jaw.

She seemed to be struggling with her thoughts, just as he was. He wanted to tell her how he felt, to confess everything, but the words were stuck in his throat. Instead, he held her a little closer, letting the dance speak for him.

As the final notes of their hummed melody faded away, they came to a stop, standing across from one another in a manner that was a little bit too close to be proper.

The moment stretched out, filled with unspoken words and emotions. Aaron opened his mouth to say something, anything, but Judith spoke first.

“Thank you,” she murmured then took a half step back.

Aaron reluctantly let go of her hand, feeling the sudden loss of her warmth. He cleared his throat and forced a smile. “My pleasure. You’re quite ready for the ball now.”

In truth, he wanted nothing more than to continue dancing with her, to keep her close. But he saw the way she stepped back, putting a respectful distance between them.

She nodded, a faint blush on her cheeks. “I think I am.”

She pursed her lips and looked around the empty ballroom while sweat beaded on his brow, not from strain but from nervousness.

“We should get to the carriage,” he said, but she shook her head.

“It is still early. I thought perhaps you might tell me about your friend?”

Graham .

Aaron wanted to groan but, of course, she was right.

“Why don’t I tell you about him as we walk to the carriage? We can ask the driver to drive through the park, it will be pleasant.”

“Very well,” she agreed and took his arm again as they walked out of the ballroom. “So, what is he like?”

Aaron hesitated for a split second. A part of him, the selfish part, wanted to paint Graham in an unflattering light. To be sure, he knew many unpleasant stories about him—they’d known one another for a long time, after all—but he couldn’t do it. Graham didn’t deserve it, and neither did she.

Aaron took a deep breath and spoke honestly. “Graham is a good man. He’s kind, intelligent, and quite accomplished. He has a love for music, much like you do, and a sense of humor that makes him pleasant to be around.”

Judith smiled softly, seeming reassured by his words. “He sounds lovely.”

Aaron nodded, though his heart ached. “He is. You’ll like him, I’m sure.”

They stepped out onto the front porch, where Judith called for the carriage to be brought around. Then, as they climbed in, an uncomfortable silence fell over them.

Aaron cursed himself for ever taking on this horrible task at Oliver’s request. For never in his life had he felt something for a woman as he did now, and never had he been so sure that it would all end in disaster if he followed his true desires.