Chapter 32

CHAPTER 32

A aron strolled through Hyde Park, his thoughts a whirlwind of regret and longing. The crisp morning air did little to soothe his troubled mind. He was haunted by the memory of Judith's pained expression and her words that cut deeper than any blade.

He had spent the past week replaying every moment, every mistake, wishing he could turn back time and undo the harm he had caused.

As he rounded a corner, he spotted Rosy and her husband, George, in the distance. His first instinct was to turn and walk the other way, avoiding a confrontation he knew was inevitable. But it was too late, Rosy had already seen him.

"Duke!" her voice rang out, sharp and unyielding.

George, looking slightly apprehensive, followed her as she marched toward Aaron.

Aaron steeled himself, knowing there was no escaping this encounter.

"Good morning, Duke." He nodded to the Duke of Cambridge, and then turned to his wife. "And you, Duchess. It is good to see you again."

He shook hands with George and then bowed to Rosy.

"We need to talk," she demanded, her eyes blazing with anger. "I can't believe how you mistreated Judith."

Aaron blinked, utterly taken aback by her outburst. He did not know any of Judith's friends well, and certainly not well enough to speak with them so intimately.

George put a hand on Rosy's arm, attempting to calm her. "Rosy, perhaps we should discuss this privately," he suggested.

"No, George," she snapped. "This needs to be addressed now."

Aaron felt his heart sink. He had expected this, but it didn't make the reality any easier to face. "Duchess, I know you're angry, and you have every right to be," he began, his voice low.

"Angry?" Rosy scoffed. "I'm beyond angry. I know everything you did—kissing her and then telling Lord Leeds that she was nothing but a burden ."

Aaron took a deep breath, feeling the weight of his guilt pressing down on him. He looked around. A great many spectators were around them, but he knew he had to answer the young woman—and maybe find out how Judith was doing at the same time.

He'd been pondering what to do for days now, and more than once he had mounted his horse to ride to Worcester House to confess his feelings, but he'd not dared. He feared ruining something truly decent for Judith by inserting himself into her courtship. Besides, she'd been clear how she felt about him the last time they spoke.

"I was foolish, Duchess," he admitted.

For a split second, he wondered if he ought to tell them the truth or not, but then it came to him—it didn't matter anymore. The situation could not possibly get any worse.

"However, the truth is that I kissed her because I truly love her."

Rosy's eyes widened in surprise. "You love her? Then why did you say those horrible things?"

Aaron hesitated, struggling to find the right words. "I was scared. My parents had a terrible marriage—cold, distant, and boring. I was always afraid of getting trapped in something like that. And then there was Lady Lundgren…"

Saying it all out loud felt oddly good, freeing.

"Lady Lundgren?" Rosy echoed, confusion mixing with her anger.

"Yes. Lady Lundgren and I were betrothed. I broke off our engagement, and she married another man. I thought she was happy, but when I met her again recently, she let me know that her life was rather miserable because I ruined her chances of a good match. She said she was forced to marry a man much older than her, and I felt dreadful. I thought it was completely my fault, and I didn't want to do the same to Judith," he explained.

George, who had been listening intently, finally spoke up. "That explains your fear, but it doesn't explain why you would speak badly about Judith to Lord Leeds. It makes no sense."

Aaron nodded, feeling a pang of shame. "Graham—that is Lord Leeds—suspected there was something between me and Judith. I thought if I convinced him that there was nothing between us, he would court her and be the man she deserves. I wanted her to be happy, even if it wasn't with me."

Rosy's expression softened slightly, though her eyes still held a hint of anger. "You don't sound like you think that was such a good idea anymore."

Aaron looked down, his hands clenching into fists. "No, it wasn't. I've been a wreck since they started courting, because I love her, Duchess. And I've come to find out that Lady Lundgren lied to me. She ruined herself by chasing after high-ranking gentlemen. It had nothing to do with me at all. She ruined herself but blames me for it, and I believed her."

Rosy and George exchanged a glance, their anger giving way to a more profound understanding.

"I have done much thinking and self-reflection these last few weeks, and I understand now," Aaron continued, "that not every marriage ends up boring and cold. I also know now that I'm not a terrible man who ruined a woman's happiness, and I could have been happy with Judith. But now she doesn't want me anymore. She hates me."

Rosy's anger finally melted away, replaced by a sadness that mirrored his own. "You need to tell her all of this," she urged softly. "She deserves to know the truth. And you are wrong. She does not hate you."

Aaron shook his head, his eyes filled with despair. "I disagree. I attempted to speak to her, and she refused. She doesn't want to see me. She made that clear. I've lost her."

"Not for good. I spoke to her just yesterday, and she is torn over what has happened. She loves you, I know she does. She will marry Lord Leeds if you do not stop her because she believes it is the right thing to do, given her age and circumstances, and because she thinks you spoke badly about her because you do not value her. You must tell her the truth."

George stepped forward, placing a hand on Aaron's shoulder. "You owe it to her—and to yourself—to try. Don't give up on love because of your past mistakes. I almost did, and it would have cost me everything."

He looked at his wife so tenderly that Aaron felt the love between them.

Something inside him shifted as their words sank in. Judith loved him still?

"You truly believe she would forgive me?"

"If you explain it to her, yes," Rosy said with absolute conviction. "And Lord Leeds deserves better than to have a wife who can never love him because she is in love with someone else."

Aaron looked at George, then back at Rosy. "I'll try," he promised, his voice resolute despite the fear that still gnawed at him. "I owe her that much."

Rosy nodded, a small smile touching her lips. "It's not too late, Duke. Show her that you truly care. But go now. I happen to know she is to plan the wedding this afternoon—she will be at home."

As they parted ways, Aaron felt a glimmer of hope amidst the overwhelming guilt and regret. He knew he had a difficult path ahead, but he was determined to make things right. For Judith, and for himself.