The Sweetest Kiss (Brothers of Worthington Series) (21 page)

Although in Tristan’s situation, his mistress had lied to him. Lady Diana led Tristan to believe he was the only man for her. Unfortunately, her betrothed had different ideas. If only Trey had been quicker and more observant, he could have saved his brother that fateful night.

Since then, Trey realized how ruthless women could be. Judith may not be the deceitful person Lady Diana had been, but he wasn’t willing to give her his heart. Neither did he want to break hers, which assuredly, he would. Ruining her life was out of the question, even for a taste of one night in heaven. And paradise it would be, indeed. Judith was more passionate than most of the women he’d been with, which made resisting her that much harder.

From up the drive, a single-horse buggy came. Immediately, Trey recognized his solicitor. Trey hurried down the steps of the porch and met the man just as the buggy stopped. “Good day, Mr. Lewis.”

“It’s a good day, indeed.”

Trey smiled. “Does that mean you have more information?”

“I certainly do. Would you like to meet in your study?”

“Yes.” Trey motioned toward the study. “Please, let’s hurry with our meeting before Miss Faraday sees you. I don’t wish to explain what you have discovered.”

“Oh certainly, my lord.
Especially right before her coming out ball.
Isn’t it tonight?”

“You are correct. She must have a lovely time at her ball and not worry about Mr. Cutler.”

Trey led his solicitor into the study and closed the door. “Would you like a drink?”

“Thank you, but no. I promised my wife I would not indulge in spirits any earlier than one o’clock.”

Trey chuckled and poured a small amount of brandy for himself. “Please, don’t delay with your findings, Mr. Lewis. I’m most anxious to hear what you have discovered.”

The solicitor sank to the cushioned sofa and withdrew papers from his satchel. “Last we talked, I made mentioned about Mr. Cutler’s income.”

Trey nodded. “You said he was poor.”

“That was what I had thought, but now I believe different. That man has many secrets.”

Excitement pounded in Trey’s chest. Mr. Cutler was hiding more? The information would be well worth the wait, Trey was certain.

Trey walked to his desk and sat on the chair. “What has Mr. Cutler been hiding now?”

“Three wealthy young widows have come forth with information about him. They have reported to be carrying on liaisons with the man. He used a different name each time, but their description of Mr. Cutler was the same. Apparently, he has a scar on his bottom lip. This was the feature they all brought up. When I talked to Mr. Cutler’s relatives, the ones who were Miss Faraday’s neighbors, they showed me a recent miniature of him, and indeed, we have the same man.”

Trey crossed one leg over the other as he swirled his brandy in the snifter. “Who are these young widows, may I ask?”

Mr. Lewis shook his head. “I promised them I would leave their names out of my report.”

“I understand.” Trey motioned with his hand. “Please continue.”

“Mr. Cutler had an affair with each, robbing them of most of their jewels before disappearing.”

Trey sat up straight, his leg dropping to the floor. “He robbed them, you say?”

“Yes. They have each filed charges against Mr. Cutler, but the police have yet to find him.”

“Good heavens, do you know what this means?” Panic flowed through Trey as he rose and paced the floor. “When Mr. Cutler finds out how much Miss Faraday is worth, he will return for her.” He bunched his hands into fists, thoughts clogging his mind with unanswered questions. “I will have to keep a closer watch over her so this man does not make contact.”

“I agree, my lord.”

Trey stopped and looked at his solicitor. “Do you think Mr. Cutler is dangerous?”

Mr. Lewis shrugged. “The widows didn’t say. They said he’s very crafty with his charm, and carries himself as a gentleman, which is why they fell for his deceit.”

Shaking his head, Trey walked back to his desk and picked up his snifter, gulping down the rest. “We must not let that sway our minds. For all I know, he could be a murderer.”

“Very true.”

“Have you received any leads to where he’s hiding?”

“Still nothing, my lord, but I shan’t give up. After all, I did run across these three widows in my search. I’m quite certain I will find Mr. Cutler soon.”

Trey took a deep breath and ran his fingers through his hair. “Miss Faraday thought she’d seen him the other day in town. Because I have never met him, I could not help her search.”

Mr. Lewis shuffled through his papers and pulled out a miniature. “Here, my lord. This is yours to keep.”

The picture stared back at Trey. He studied the man who might eventually cause harm to Judith. Rage grew inside him as he thought about Mr. Cutler laying one finger on her. If that ever happened, Trey would run him through with a sharp blade.

“Thank you, Mr. Lewis. Now I will recognize him if he ever comes to my door.”
And I’ll kill the thief on sight.

The solicitor stood and gathered his papers, stuffing them back into his satchel. “I will keep you posted, my lord.”

They walked out of the study and outside to the buggy. As the solicitor climbed in,
Nic
and Judith rode up the drive. Giving a nod to Mr. Lewis, Trey quickly dismissed him before Judith could ask any questions.
Nic
would know, and Trey only prayed his friend wouldn’t tell her. News like this would be devastating, especially the day of her special event.

Nic
and Judith stopped their horses near Trey. He smiled wide at his mother’s ward. Judith’s cheeks were pink, and her eyes sparkled. The bonnet she wore hadn’t held her ringlet hair together as wisps of locks fell across her forehead and by her ears. She was absolutely beautiful. He wished he didn’t feel so protective, but she’d grown on him and wiggled her way into his heart.

Stopping his thoughts, he held his breath.
My heart?
Had he really allowed her to enter? Nonsense!
 
After what had happened to Tristan, Trey vowed he wouldn’t be another victim of love.

Once her horse stopped, he rushed to her side to help her dismount. Her gaze held his as he lifted her off, trying not to brush against her in the process, but her warmth still created havoc inside him. When her feet touched the ground, he released her and stepped away.

“How was your ride?” he asked with a smile.

“Perfect. I could not have asked for a better companion.”

An invisible knife slid through his chest. Why did she have to say it that way? She knew how he felt about
Nic
taking her riding. Trey had told her of his jealousy the night of her dinner party. Perhaps this was her way of making him more envious.

“Splendid. I’m relieved you had such a good time.”

She looked over her shoulder at Mr. Lewis’ buggy riding away. “Who was that?”

He couldn’t tell her.
Perhaps after her ball, but not a moment sooner.
“Just a business acquaintance.”
Trey glanced at
Nic
as his friend dismounted, challenging
Nic
with his eyes not to say anything. Hawthorne must have taken the hint, because he just smiled.

Trey took a deep breath and met Judith’s stare. “Now, my dear, let’s get you inside. Mother is worried about you.”

“Why? I have ridden with Lord Hawthorne before.”

Taking her hand, he squeezed as he hooked it over his arm. “Not on the morning of your ball. Mother says there are many items she still requires to go over with you. I promised her I would get you inside the moment you returned.”

Judith swung her head in
Nic’s
direction. “My lord, I want to thank you for a refreshing jaunt around the estate.”

Dominic bowed. “The pleasure was all
mine
, Miss Faraday. I’m looking forward to seeing you tonight at your ball.”

“As am I.”
She grinned.

Trey hurried them inside the house, not wanting to witness anymore flirty glances between the two. He’d never been a jealous man, but right now, he loathed his best friend and seriously thought about wringing the man’s neck.

Before they reached the drawing room where his mother awaited, Trey slowed and took Judith’s hand in his. He placed a kiss on her knuckles.
“Until tonight, my sweet.”
Trey stepped back and turned.

“Wait.”

Excitement leapt in his chest when he looked at her. “What is it?”

“I—I just wanted to tell you…”

He stepped closer and took her hands. “Yes?”

“Lord Hawthorne asked that I save the first dance for him. I told him yes. I hope you approve.”

Jealousy squashed his excitement quickly, leaving a hollow ache in his chest. “Why, of course. I know
Nic
is just your friend.” Although he said the words, he wished his heart believed it.

A soft smile graced her face. “Indeed, he is.”

He patted her hands.
“Fine.
Then I shall see you tonight. You and Mother will have a splendid afternoon getting ready, I assure you. Before you know it, this night will be but a memory.”

“Oh, I certainly hope so.” She sighed. “I really didn’t want your mother to go through so much trouble on my behalf, and really, I cannot wait until this night is over.”

“Me, either.”
But for entirely different reasons.

“Thank you, Trey, for everything.” She turned and walked into the drawing room.

Why did he feel as if she were saying good-bye, as if she were bringing a closure to their relationship? With a heavy heart, he walked away, knowing that tonight would be an ending, because without a doubt, men would be lined up at the door on the morrow, seeking her hand in marriage. Once Trey told her about Mr. Cutler’s lies, she would assuredly find another man.

Sighing wearily, he nodded.
As it should be.

~*~*~*~

Judith gazed at the full-length mirror at the unhappy woman staring back. Her parents would be pleased with everything the dowager had done. Judith imagined her mother and father looking down from heaven and smiling upon their daughter, pleased that she was finally entering into society.

Sorrow twisted Judith’s heart. If only they could be here to share this night with her. But then, if they were, Judith wouldn’t be having this evening. She wouldn’t be living at the dowager’s estate, and Judith certainly wouldn’t be having improper feelings for her guardian’s son. In fact, if her parents were alive, Judith might be married to Alex.

Another spasm shot through her heart. She couldn’t possibly believe what Trey’s solicitor had discovered. Alex
was
in the Royal Navy. Doubts filled her head and her heart leaned toward Trey’s reasoning. If Alex were the honest man she’d believed him to be, he would have come for her. He would have met her at the woodsman’s cottage and taken her as his wife. And he most certainly wouldn’t have run from her when she called his name the other day in town.

Sighing, she ran her white-gloved hands down her gown, over the few ruffles and lace that created the ice-blue sensation she wore. The puffy shoulders and square neck bodice enhanced her slender figure and made her look more like a mature woman. Her ringlet-styled hair wasn’t as tight as she’d worn it, either. The dowager’s hairdresser insisted that tonight Judith’s hair should be alluring as it wove loosely into a bun and the relaxed ringlets swept her partially bare shoulders, enticing the gentleman to her side.

Really, there was only one man Judith wanted to entice tonight—the very man she shouldn’t. Yet, the excitement building inside her was because of him. She couldn’t wait to see his eyes when she walked into the ballroom. Before, his gaze had always darkened with desire, and she hoped the same would happen tonight.

She should be put out with him for keeping secrets from her. This morning when she returned from riding, Trey and Dominic exchanged knowing glances. Immediately, she felt out of place, as if she’d entered into a secret conversation. It had to be that man who she’d seen leaving. Trey had said he was a business acquaintance, but she believed he was something more. Even the dowager had mentioned during their mid-meal that she’d seen Trey’s solicitor leaving this morning. Obviously, Trey knew something, and he wasn’t going to tell her. Tonight she’d get it out of Trey one way or another. If it was about Alex, she wanted to know now.

The chimes from her clock announced the hour.
Time to make her grand entrance.
Dominic promised he’d help keep the money-hungry men away from her. What a dear man he was, and such a good friend. At first, she wondered about his interest in her, but now she knew he wasn’t after a relationship. In fact, at times it seemed all he wanted to do was make Trey jealous, because the only times Lord Hawthorne fawned over her was when Trey was near. She grinned. She didn’t mind helping the
marquess
with that task. It was quite enjoyable.

Slowly, she walked out of her bedroom and made her way down the grand staircase. The guests had already filled the hallway, spilling into the ballroom. She took a deep breath. This is for you, Mother.