The Sweetest Kiss (Brothers of Worthington Series) (19 page)

She dropped her hand and turned toward the servant. “Yes?”

“You have a visitor in the drawing room.”

“A visitor?”
She lifted an eyebrow. “Pray, who could be calling upon me this early in the morning?”

“Lord Hawthorne, Miss.”

Dominic? What is he doing here?
Could something dreadful be wrong?
“Thank you. I shall not keep him waiting a moment longer.”

She hurried down the hallway to the drawing room, curious to see what could bring the
marquess
to visit her this early in the day. When she entered, Dominic sat on the sofa sipping a cup of tea. His gaze lifted to her mere seconds before he set the cup on the side tray and rose.

“Good morning, Miss Faraday.” He grinned and bowed.

“A good day to you, Lord Hawthorne.”
She curtsied then swept her gaze over his attire, black riding boots, black breeches and a double-breasted brown riding over-jacket. “What are you about this early in the morning?”

“I thought to invite you to go riding with me.”

She blinked with wide eyes.
“With
you
, my lord?”

“I know what an excellent horsewoman you are, and I would love some company during my ride.”

A chuckle escaped her before she could stop it. “Surely you jest.”

“No, Miss Faraday. I would enjoy your company, if you don’t mind.”

His gray eyes sparkled with mischief. That’s the only word she could think to describe them. He didn’t appear to be a man bent on wooing a lady. So what was his purpose? There was only one way to find out.

She shrugged. “If you will give me a few minutes, my lord, I will change into my riding clothes.”

“Take all the time you need.”

As she hurried to her bedroom, questions swam through her head. Why was he really here? He didn’t want to court her, did he? Dominic would indeed make a fine husband as long as the right woman could reform him. Judith wasn’t that woman. Although Dominic was charming, handsome, and wealthy, she didn’t have any feelings for him but those of a friend.

It took her only forty-five minutes to change before she met him outside by the stables. He held the reins to his horse as he visited with the stable boy who held her mare. Acting the gentleman, Dominic helped her mount before he climbed on the back of his horse.

During the first few minutes, she studied him, but still didn’t feel that his main purpose here was to court her. Indeed, he acted as if he just wanted her company. She supposed it could happen that way. They were friends, after all.

As they trotted their horses side by side, she cleared her throat. She’d make use of this time alone with him. “Tell me, my lord, how did you and Trey meet?”

“Our mothers are distant cousins. However, I have never really thought of Trey as relation, and we have always been friends.”

When Dominic talked about his childhood, his face relaxed and a twinkle lit his eyes. Indeed, she knew he thought a lot of Trey and would always defend him. It softened her heart to know Trey had a friend like this.

“Trey has always had a stubborn streak to him,” Dominic continued, “as I’m certain you well know.”

She laughed. “More than I would like.”

“I remember when we were in our nineteenth year. I thought his mother would disinherit him for good when he was seen in the company of some…shall we say, unorthodox-minded women. He was certainly causing more scandal than the dowager could handle.”

Judith titled her head, studying
Nic’s
profile. The man genuinely cared about the dowager, too. “Why would
Trey
think that? Scandal happens all the time, especially in wealthy families. I believe their money gives society more to gossip about.”

“Very true, Miss Faraday, but the dowager has had her share, and none of it was her doing.”

“Why do you say that?”

He pulled on the reins and stopped his horse. Judith halted her mare, as well.

“Have you ever met Trey’s father?”

She nodded. “Yes, when I was younger.”

“And you didn’t
know
about him?”

“I’m not certain what you are referring to, my lord.”

Dominic scrubbed his hand over his chin. “It’s quite difficult to talk about in front of a lady.” He chuckled. “If I were at the gentleman’s club, I would find this topic easier.”

“Please tell. I promise not to tell anyone you broke the rules. And I promise not to swoon from the delicate matter.”

He laughed. “But Miss Faraday, do you not remember swooning when you first met Trey and
myself
?”

She grumbled. “I did
not
swoon in Trey’s arms. I was weak from nourishment, and combined with the news Trey had just presented me—”

Dominic held up his hand. “Yes, I know. I was just jesting with you. But to continue, I don’t believe you are the type of woman who swoons over such controversies. Besides, it’s going to be a pleasure breaking the rules with you.” He winked. “Trey’s father was a man who flaunted his mistresses everywhere he went. The dowager wasn’t ignorant about her husband’s affairs, but neither could she stop him. On several occasions, he dueled over these unfortunate women, injuring their husband or lover, and then weeks later he found another woman to shower his attention on.”

Heat surged to Judith’s face, both from embarrassment over the subject, but also from anger. How could that man do such a thing?
Poor Isabelle for having to put up with such a man.
“Oh, how terrible.”

“So you see,” Dominic continued, “the family has had its share of gossip. It was not until after Tristan died, when Trey hardened his heart to a lot of things and acted like he didn’t have a care in the world.”

Her heart clenched. “Tell me, my lord, why would
Trey
continue to lead such a life of ill-repute when his father did, making them a topic of gossip within the best circles?”

“Trey has always been told he’s like his father. Perhaps Trey feels it cannot be helped. At least he’s not causing scandal like he did in his younger years.”

Judith urged her horse forward in a slow walk, Dominic keeping up beside her. Many questions still swam in her head, but her heavy heart couldn’t stop from feeling sorrow for the boy Trey once was and the man he was today.

“Can you tell me something else, my lord?”

“What?”

She glanced at Nic. “Will Trey ever change?”

“How do you mean?”

“Will he ever want to settle down and find a good woman to marry, and stay faithful to?”

Dominic shrugged. “I want to believe all of us rakes will eventually find a woman to marry and to have heirs.” He grinned. “As for Trey, I cannot be certain. I think deep in his heart, he does not want to end up like his father. I believe Trey longs to find the woman who will change him.”

“He would certainly have a miserable life if he continues to live like he’s doing now.”

“Many women have tried to change Trey.”

She arched her brows. “Indeed?”

“Oh yes, but they are going about it the wrong way.”

Chuckling, she shook her head. “My lord, is there a
right
way?”

“Every man is different, mind you, but Trey needs a woman who will get to know him and love him for himself. She also needs to be patient and give him the time to fall in love.” Dominic ran his fingers through his hair as he adjusted himself on the saddle. “Most women want to trap Trey quickly without going through the other steps.”

She shook her head. “I think, my lord, you are the romantic one out of the two. Trey told me once that loving someone was foolish.”

“I suppose it can be, but only if you fall in love with the wrong person.”

“And pray, who is the wrong kind of woman?”

“I believe Trey has met many women who are like the kind his father visited frequently. Trey does not want someone who falls easily into another man’s arms.”

“Most women do not want a man who falls easily into another woman’s arms, either.”

“Exactly.”
He winked. “Although Trey may not realize it yet, he’s hoping to find a woman he can trust, not only with his name, but with his heart. When he finally falls in love, it will be forever.”

Emotion squeezed her chest and tears burned her eyes. Quickly, before Dominic could see, she pushed her horse faster. She couldn’t explain to him about her tears. Too many times over the past few days she had hoped for a way into Trey’s heart. Although she still questioned her feelings for him, she yearned for his nearness.

Trey was so different than Alex, and it surprised her to think she could have such feelings. She had thought Alex was the kind of man who’d make the perfect husband and father. Trey was far from that, yet he would certainly know how to kiss her to distraction, making her think of nothing else.

Regretfully, putting him from her head was the best thing—and finding answers about Alex was the second best.

~*~*~*~

By the end of the day, Judith was ready to strangle someone.
Mainly Trey.
He had managed to disappear from the estate, even though the servants admitted they saw him earlier. If Judith didn’t know better, she would think he was purposely hiding from her. She needed answers about Alex.
And now.
She would go insane if she had to wait another day.

After the evening meal where Trey was conspicuously absent, she excused herself and told the dowager she had a terrific headache. When Judith reached her room and closed the door behind her, she marched to her vanity table. Slumping on her stool, she stared at herself in the mirror and pulled out the pins holding the knot at the back of her head. She picked up the brush and punished her locks by yanking the bristles through each curl. Soon her ringlets were gone and thick hair fell over her shoulders and down her back.

She wasn’t ready to retire to bed. Her mind wouldn’t let her rest. The only way she would be able to set her jumbled thoughts in order was to deal with Trey. Even if she had to become a bloodhound to do it, she’d search this house from one side to the other until she found the rotten coward. What other word could she call him besides coward? Obviously, he didn’t want to confront her for some unknown reason, which was why he hid.

She pushed away from the vanity and hurried out of her room. The hallway was quiet, as were the rooms below. The dowager must have gone to bed early, as well.

Judith first tried the study. She knocked, waited a few seconds then opened the door slowly. A strong cigar scent hung thick through the air, combined with ale. She waved her hand in front of her nose. Had he been holed up here all day? From the smell, it would seem he had.

“Trey?”
She
peeked
her head inside. The heavy velvet curtains had been drawn, and the room held many shadows.

Unfortunately, the room didn’t hold him as she’d hoped.

Throughout the lower floor, she looked in every room before rushing upstairs to his bedchambers. When she stood in front of his room, her hands moistened and her heartbeat quickened. Certainly, this was not proper, but she couldn’t put off talking to him a minute longer. If he were inside, she would just invite him to come out and take a walk with her through the flower garden.

On second thought, outside would be dark and they would only have the moon to guide their stroll. Not a good choice when she hadn’t convinced her body to stop desiring him. If only her mind could control her body’s reactions whenever he was around, she would have no need to fret.

Making her decision, she knocked on the door and waited. She listened intently for any sounds on the other side, but detected none. She turned the knob and opened the door. A few lamps dimly lit the wide opened space, but so far, no sign of Trey. However, his masculine scent was strong, stirring anticipation in her limbs.

She tried to shake away the feeling as she stepped inside.
“Trey?”
Her voice squeaked, so she cleared her throat and tried again.
“Trey?”
Still the volume of her voice wasn’t very loud, so she stepped inside, nearly to the middle of the floor. Her heartbeat thundered in her ears, blocking out any other sounds.

What was she doing? This was wrong. She shouldn’t be in his private chambers. But as she glanced around, she found her feet rooted in place and wouldn’t move. His large bed was against the far wall close to the large fireplace. Several armoires stood around the spacious room along with a sofa and two cushioned chairs.

The room was different from what she’d expected. Perhaps it was due to his lifestyle, but it didn’t look like a sultan’s tent with silk and satin coverings. Instead, dark blue and brown colors were used in decorating. Against the other wall was a closed door. She didn’t dare venture further to see where it led. Perhaps Trey wasn’t here after all, but that didn’t explain why lamps were lit. Nonetheless, she needed to get out.
Now.

As she turned to leave, the floor in the adjoining room creaked. She jumped and swung around just in time to see Trey walk out as he fastened a towel around his waist. No other stitch of clothing covered his muscular body.