The Sweetest Kiss (Brothers of Worthington Series) (24 page)

She tilted her head back to rest on his shoulder and met his gaze. “I have been asking myself that very question tonight. I think I was in love with love and the idea of marriage, more than I was in love with Mr. Cutler. He was the first man to really give me attention.”

“I cannot believe that. You are a very beautiful woman.”

“Most men do not share your thoughts.”

“They are blind fools then.” He kissed the tip of her nose. “So you really didn’t love Mr. Cutler?”

“Oh, I loved him, but probably not fully. Perhaps I was more infatuated than anything. Alex and I really never knew each other well.” She shrugged. “Obviously, since he led a double life.”

His heart leapt from her confession.

She licked her lips. “I would have been more crushed if we had never discovered his deceitfulness. Can you imagine how my life would have been ruined if I had married him?”

He dropped his gaze to her tempting mouth, wanting to sup her sweet nectar and lose himself in her passion. “I would have never let that happen.”

A tender smile graced her mouth. “And pray, how would you have stopped it without knowing about his misdeeds?”

“You, my dear Judith, have lured me to your side these past few weeks, and I fear I cannot leave. I’m a greedy man, my love. I do not share.”

She held her breath, her eyes growing wide. “What—”

“I would have never let him come near you.” He lowered his mouth. “Not when I want you so badly.”

When his lips met hers, she sighed deeply and answered his kiss. She turned in his embrace without breaking contact, and wrapped her arms around his neck. He crushed her body against his as his hands moved over her back in soft caresses.

She kissed him like a woman starved for passion, which indeed she was. He still couldn’t believe no other man had kissed her in this manner. Not even Alex, the man she had dreamed of marrying. It surprised Trey that he had never quite felt the satisfaction with his other conquests as he had while holding Judith. Somehow she’d touched his heart, and he was reluctant to release this feeling.

Trey prayed she wouldn’t stop him. She needed this pleasure as much as he did. He wanted to love her like no other man had.

But he wouldn’t. He couldn’t!
 
He couldn’t ruin her for other men—for her soon-to-be husband. Marriage didn’t agree with Trey’s plans like it did hers. He had to stop this now. In his mind, he repeated,
I will never make her a good husband
.

He broke the kiss and pressed his forehead against her, trying to get his breathing controlled. In a few moments, she looked up at him and smiled, cupping his face.

“You didn’t have to stop, Trey.”

“I know.”

“Why did you then?”

He shook his head. “God knows I wanted to keep kissing you more than anything in the world, but I could not ruin you. You are too good of a person. You have a kind and loving heart. I could not do that to you.”

Tears formed in her eyes, and when she smiled, her lips quivered. “Thank you.”

He bent and placed a soft kiss on her mouth before pulling away. His chest grew tight with emotion. Not continuing what they’d both wanted had been the most unselfish thing he’d ever done, and he questioned his motives even though he knew. He wanted Judith more than any woman he’d ever known, but she would never be his.

Ever.

“Sleep well, my love.” He kissed her one more time before turning and leaving her room. Each step made his heart heavier, and doubt trickled into his mind. Could he possibly love her and only her for the rest of his life? Could she possibly love him and want to be his wife forever and ever?

Shaking his head, he shoved the ludicrous notion away. The plain and simple truth was
,
he carried his father’s passion for lust and desire. Trey could never be faithful to one woman. Eventually, Judith would bore him and he’d move on.

He couldn’t do that to her. Indeed, he loved her, but knew it wouldn’t last.

As he stormed to his room, he cursed his father for ruining his life.

~*~*~*~

Trey loves me!

Without a doubt, Judith knew this now. She smiled and climbed out of bed the next morning with a song in her heart. He had comforted her beyond her wildest dreams. He kissed like a man who couldn’t get enough, and she answered with the emotion. Never had a man made her feel so cherished, so beautiful.
Only Trey.

Now she knew why she’d never had these feelings of desire for Alex. She was never in love with him. Trey had pulled her into his heart whether he wanted to or not. This was where she wanted to stay.

Forever.

She giggled as she slipped off her nightdress. Hard to believe she felt this way about him when the first day at the woodsman’s cottage, she’d considered him the devil’s spawn. Did he know he loved her or did he still deny his heart? Knowing how stubborn he was, he would deny it. She’d certainly try to help him overcome this problem and make him realize he loved her. Dominic’s words came back to her, reminding her of what he thought Trey wanted in a woman.

She rang for her maid and dressed for the day. Trey wanted her, and she would be patient with him until he realized he loved her. She’d even prove they belonged together.

Within an hour, Judith had finished making herself presentable and hurried downstairs. Breakfast had long passed since everyone probably slept in, but she didn’t mind. Her stomach didn’t growl for food as much as her body yearned for Trey’s affection.

As she neared the drawing room, the dowager’s laugh rang through the silence. Trey’s deep voice joined his mother’s, making Judith’s heart leap with excitement. It would be difficult, but she must act as if seeing Trey didn’t set her body on fire. Neither
Trey
nor his mother was prepared for Judith to confess she’d found the man she wanted to marry. Another giggle reached her throat, but she quickly lifted her knuckles to her mouth in hopes of keeping the emotion contained. Soon they’d know of her decision, but now was not the time.

Taking a deep breath, she squared her shoulders and took another step closer to the drawing room. The dowager’s voice vibrated through the air again, when the woman spoke about a list of men she had gathered. Judith slowed her feet and listened closer.

“Mother, I believe we have enough men on our list to start. This morning Bentley was overwhelmed with calling cards and invitations for Judith. She made quite an impression, and I’m certain a fine young gentleman will ask for her hand within a fortnight.

Isabelle Worthington laughed. “Oh, which one shall we choose?

“Mother, we will not choose any. This is Judith’s decision.”

“Are you certain? She’s so young and innocent in all of this. I fear she will not know how to pick the right man.”

“Mother,” Trey’s voice grumbled a little deeper. “You are underestimating our dear Judith. She has a good mind and she’s very intelligent. Her wit is quicker than you think.”

Judith smiled, her heart melting from his words. Although it hurt to think he and his mother were secretly devising ways to pick her future husband, Judith knew Trey would never allow any man to touch her. He’d told her that last night. She was his, and his kisses had branded her for life.

If she had to remind him of what happened, she would. One way or another, Trey and his mother would know Judith was not looking for a husband—unless the man was Trey.

Taking another deep breath, Judith resumed her stance and strolled into the room. Right away, she gained the attention of Isabelle and Trey. Although Judith tried only to glance his way, hoping she wouldn’t look at him as a woman in love, he jumped to his feet and smiled.

“Good afternoon, Judith,” he said. “I trust you had a pleasant night’s rest.”

Heat moved up her neck toward her face, and she silently cursed the effect the double meaning had on her. “Thank you, Lord Trey. I did. I had an incredibly exhilarating night, which in turn helped me sleep as if I were floating on clouds.”

He lifted a brow—and even the corner of his mouth lifted—as if letting her know he received the hidden meaning in her words.

“Well, my dear, I do say you look refreshed from your successful evening.” The dowager smiled wide and held up a handful of cards. “Look at what we have received thus far. I know we will collect more as the day passes.”

“Oh, how lovely.”
Judith moved to the sofa next to her guardian and sat.

“You have become a sensation, my dear.” Isabelle beamed. “Now we must get you fitted for several more gowns.”

“More?” Judith shook her head. “Don’t I have enough already?”

Isabelle laughed. “Women never have enough, my dear.”

“And when shall I plan for this excursion to Bond Street?”

The dowager nibbled on her bottom lip as she tapped her finger on her chin. During the few seconds of silence, Judith glanced at Trey. Casually, he sat in his chair with one leg crossed over the other, his dreamy gaze resting on her. A smile touched his mouth, making her heart flutter.

“How about we plan a trip into London in two days? Does that sound reasonable?” Isabelle finished.

Judith switched her focus back to her guardian. “Yes, it does. Will Lord Trey be joining us this time?”

Her comment brought him alert and he straightened in his chair, dropping his foot to the floor. “Me?”

“That sounds heavenly.” The dowager clapped her hands. “Please consider coming with us, Trey. We shall have such a lovely time.”

Panic crossed his expression, making his eyes wide and his smile disappear. Judith almost laughed. She hoped he agreed. Spending more time with him would help her convince him of his feelings for her.

“Um, well, I—I have business to attend.”

“Trey, my dear,” the dowager cut in. “I believe you can put off business for one day.”

Judith leaned forward and touched his arm. When Trey’s eyes met hers, his body seemed to relax from the stiff position he’d been in only moments ago. “Please,” she said softly.

A slow smile stretched across his face. “How am I to resist two stubborn women?” He chuckled. “All right then. I shall come along.”

Judith pulled away, pleased with his reaction. Perhaps it wouldn’t be so difficult convincing him he was in love with her. She could only pray it happened quickly.

“I’m quite certain we will have many more calls from your young gentlemen friends, my dear. You will want to look your best.” The dowager grinned.

“Of course,” Judith said softly, not really wanting to impress anyone except Trey.

Isabelle patted her hands. “And if I were a betting person, I would say you will have at least a dozen marriage proposals within two weeks.”

Judith’s chest tightened.
“So many?
That soon?”

“Why of course.”

“Whatever shall I do with so many proposals?” She sighed heavily and looked at Trey, who all of a sudden fidgeted in his chair.

The dowager chuckled.
“Oh, dear Judith.
You will have to make a choice which man you want to marry.”

Frowning, she glanced at the duchess. “But what if none of them suit me?”

“No need to fret. Trey and I will be here to assist.” Isabelle turned her head and looked at her son. “Is that not correct?”

“Yes, Mother. We will be here for support,” he bit out his words.

Judith studied him closely. His irritation was obvious.

The dowager returned her attention to Judith. “It’s not good to be too choosey, though. You will want to find the man who suits you the best, to be sure, but don’t find fault with them just to pass them over. Do you understand?”

“I suppose.”

Annoyance grew inside Judith. Why wasn’t Trey arguing? Why was he siding with what his mother said? Judith knew he loved her, so why was he so eager to give her hand to the first available man? Beneath the folds of her dress, she fisted her hands. It didn’t matter. She would not choose a husband unless it was Trey.

Bentley walked into the room and bowed. “Your Grace, Miss Faraday has a visitor.”

Judith sucked in her breath and swung her gaze from the butler to Trey and the dowager. Hadn’t Isabelle instructed Bentley that Judith would be resting today?

“Who is it, Bentley?” Trey barked as he stood, arms crossed over his chest.

“My lord, it’s Lord Hawthorne. He assured me Miss Faraday would want to see him.”

The dowager motioned her hand. “Allow him in, Bentley. He can take tea with us.”

Within a few minutes, Dominic made his appearance, his hat tucked under his arm and looking like he did whenever he took Judith riding. She grinned. Had he come to take her riding again? Whether he knew it or not, it was perfect timing. If she had to stay another moment in Trey’s presence—especially with him set on finding her a husband—she’d be
surely
tempted to give him a good pounding whether it was lady-like or not. Dominic just may have saved the day.