The Sweetest Kiss (Brothers of Worthington Series) (26 page)

He grinned. “They do?”

“Mind you, I don’t know this first hand, but I have friends who swear this is true.”

He bent and kissed her cheek. “Then I’m quite certain Lord Hawthorne will make some lovely creature a wonderful husband. Unfortunately, it will not be our Judith.”

She pulled back to look him in the eyes. “And pray, why not?”

He straightened. Once again, irritation flowed through him like water over jagged rocks. He didn’t want his best friend touching and kissing the woman Trey could not get out of his mind.

“The subject is closed, Mother. Hawthorne will not be considered.” He folded his arms and stalked across the room to the window again. “Dominic is my friend, and as my friend, he better have the decency to remain a gentleman in Judith’s presence. I will not ever consider this match, so I expect you to drop the matter.”

“Yes, dear.”

His mother remained on the sofa as she looked at the list of prospective suitors. He’d like to toss the paper in the fire and never think of it again. The list turned his stomach in the worst way.

Letting out a deep sigh, he rubbed his forehead where a small throb started. How could he go through with this? How could he sit back and watch men court Judith and not stop it? There had to be a way to numb his heart. By allowing her to marry a man who would truly love her, Trey was saving her from a lifetime of heartache if she married him. Yet, convincing his heart it was the right thing was harder than he thought.

From down the hallway, jovial voices rang through the corridor. Trey hurried to the door, anxiously waiting for Judith and
Nic
to arrive. When Trey noticed their expressions, his gut twisted. Judith sashayed in the drawing room holding on to
Nic’s
arm, both smiling wide as if they shared a delightful secret.

Balling his hands into fists, Trey shoved them behind his back before someone noticed. His mother beamed and motioned for them to come closer.

As they passed Trey, Judith’s gaze met his briefly, her eyes twinkling with merriment. In haste, he studied her face, but thankfully, her lips weren’t swollen from a lover’s kiss as they’d been last night before he had left her room. That relieved him slightly.

“How was your ride, my dear?” his mother asked.

Judith’s grin widened.
“Absolutely wonderful.”

“I must say, the weather has been very accommodating of late,” the dowager replied.

Nic
bent over Judith’s hand and kissed her gloved fingers. “Thank you for such an enjoyable afternoon.”

“The pleasure was all
mine
.” Judith winked.

Nic
straightened and nodded to Trey and then the dowager. “Now, if you will excuse me, I have business to attend.”

Trey gnashed his teeth as his friend walked out the door, but what bothered him most was the dreamy-eyed stare on Judith’s face as she watched Hawthorne leave.

“Judith dear, come sit by me,” Trey’s mother said. “We need to go through these invitations and see which ones to accept.”

“Certainly,
Your
Grace.”

The giddy expression on Judith’s face was replaced and covered by a mask. The same mask he’d seen her wear whenever she was accommodating his mother. He knew it well since he’d worn it for many years. Pleasing his mother wasn’t only necessary for her health, but his as well, especially if he wanted her to stop nagging on him for every little thing.

What was the real purpose of pleasing women? In his mother’s circumstance, he did so because making her happy would pacify her curiosity and especially her harping. So, naturally, it was worth cover-coating the truth just to see her smile.

What about Judith? What ways did he please her outside kissing her? Their conversations lately had been heated, and all he wanted to do was
take
her in his arms and keep her there. They’d gone on a few rides around the estate together, which he knew pleased her. But what else made her happy? He could tell she enjoyed playing him for a fool. He chuckled to himself. Oddly enough, it pleased him to make her laugh even when he was the target of humiliation.

True be told, he liked the way his heart raced whenever she was around. He enjoyed the way he could make her smile. And laugh. On occasions their conversations became heated, and yet little by little, he had come to enjoy talking with her no matter if it left him in a temper—or her.

Never before had he wanted to please a woman by just talking. Yet Judith was so very different. He wanted to do things that made her smile. Knowing firsthand how miserable life was when thinking about departed loved-ones, Trey wanted to make certain his Judith was smiling and laughing. He loved seeing her eyes light up with happiness…then darken with passion.

Was there more to their relationship? What were the things they had in common? True, they both loved roses. They both loved horses. But was there more?

Strange, but he didn’t know this answer. Perhaps he should spend a few days getting to know her better. After all, he couldn’t let his mother pick the right man for Judith, and how else could Trey pick the right man for her if he didn’t know what Judith liked?

His stomach churned and bile rose to his throat. He couldn’t even think about choosing her husband, but he was more qualified than his mother was. After all, he knew most of these gentlemen. He’d know if they would love his Judith the way she deserved.

Pain enclosed around his heart and squeezed. Hopefully, this ache in his chest would disappear very soon. He couldn’t become emotional at a time like this.

~*~*~*~

The ride to Bond Street didn’t seem as long as when Judith had journeyed with the dowager the first time. Trey rode with them, which made her trip more enjoyable. With him in the vehicle, they had more topics to discuss. Trey’s sense of humor showed quite often, which kept Judith thoroughly entertained. When they arrived at the dress shop, Trey excused himself to attend to business.

Disappointment washed through Judith. No longer would she be able to lose herself in his adorable blue eyes.

Before he walked away, he kissed her knuckles while his gaze held hers. Warmth spread through her body until he withdrew, bowed, and sauntered up the street. If Isabelle hadn’t been standing beside her, Judith would have watched Trey until he disappeared. He was such a handsome man—inside and out.

Shaking herself out of dreamy thoughts, she turned and walked into the dress shop beside Isabelle. Her thoughts swam from the conversation she had had with Dominic yesterday. He admitted he knew she had feelings for Trey, and the marquees actually said he’d help her win Trey’s heart. What a good friend he was.

For the next three hours, Judith was prodded, poked, and measured. She couldn’t help but remember the last time she was here, and especially when she’d carelessly chased after Alex.

She frowned. Why had she been so gullible? And to think she would have waited for that man if the dowager hadn’t rescued her by bringing Judith to the estate. Yet, it was Trey who had truly been her rescuer.

Finally, she and the dowager walked out of the dress shop. Right away, they met with other women who strolled along the walk. Isabelle stopped to talk to her friends, and Judith smiled politely, only nodding when the occasion called for some kind of recognition.

A few gentlemen strolled by, some she recognized from her ball. She gave them a nod. One stopped beside her and bowed.

“Good day, Miss Faraday. What a pleasure it is to see you again.”

She scrambled to remember his name, but nothing came to mind. She curtsied and smiled politely.

Isabelle Worthington stepped beside him. “Good day, Mr. Pratt. How are you this fine afternoon?”

He bowed. “I’m having a pleasing day, Your Grace.
And yourself?”

Isabelle grinned. “I’m taking my ward shopping.”

The man’s eyes beamed as his smile widened.
“How lovely.”

The dowager touched Judith’s arm. “My dear, you remember Mr. Henry Pratt from your party. He’s Viscount Newby’s youngest son.”

The name didn’t ring any bells of familiarity, but she had no other choice but to act like it. “Of course I do.”

“Mr. Pratt, I believe we received an invitation from your mother for a dinner social, did we not?”

His cheeks turned a dark red. “I hope so, Your Grace. I would very much enjoy getting to know Miss Faraday a little better. I fear her dance card was so full it was almost impossible to speak with her.”

Judith chuckled. “What a whirlwind night that was. I look forward to talking with you during your mother’s party.”

He bowed again then walked away. When Judith’s gaze fell upon Isabelle and her friends, their wide smiles let her know they were up to no good. It was enough to make Judith scream.

“Mr. Henry Pratt would make a fine husband, Miss Faraday,” the lady to her left said. “His father is an educated man and has taught him well.”

“Indeed,” another woman spoke. “His family holds strong to their religion. I heard Mr. Pratt intends to have his own Parish one day.”

Judith kept her smile. She didn’t know what to say.
Sorry, he’s not like Trey, and I won’t take anything less.
Of course not.
That would be rude.

Isabelle told her friends goodbye, then turned and walked up the street with Judith by her side. The dowager continued telling her everything she knew about the Viscount’s family. A year ago this would have interested Judith. Not now. Yet it seemed the older woman was insistent that Judith allow Mr. Pratt to court her to see if they would suit. She ground her teeth. This wasn’t something she wished to do. However, she was still the dowager’s ward and so must obey.

An idea jumped into Judith’s head and she grinned. If Isabelle wanted Mr. Pratt to court Judith, she would, but she’d do it on her own terms. This particular courtship would not last longer than a day if she had her way.

Judith and the dowager entered a little shop at the end of the street, and after partaking of tea and
crumpets,
Isabelle moaned and placed her hand on her forehead.

“Oh, dear.
I fear I’ve overdone myself today.”

Judith touched the older woman’s wrinkled, frail hand. “Do you wish to return home?”

“Trey said he would meet us here. I hope he comes quickly.”

Glancing around the room, Judith didn’t see him anywhere. “Do you wish me to find him now?”

“No, dear.
I’m certain he will be here shortly.”

Within seconds, the older woman’s face turned white. Judith panicked. She pushed away from the table and ran to fetch someone who worked at the establishment. The man wearing an apron was the first person she grabbed.

“Sir, please help me. My guardian is very ill.” She pointed to the direction of her table. “Do you have a back room where she can lie down?”

His eyes widened and he nodded. Judith rushed to the table with him by her side. He helped Isabelle up, and her legs wobbled as they took her to the back room. A small room with a cot was behind the kitchen, and thankfully, the room was warm and comfortable enough for the dowager.

Judith located a blanket and spread it over Isabelle.

“My dear, what are you doing?” the older woman asked with a cracked voice.

“Your Grace, you almost swooned out there.”

“I did?”

“Yes, and you will lie right here until Trey comes for us.”

The dowager nodded, her eyes drifting closed.

Judith stood inside the room, wringing her hands against her bosom. When was Trey coming? They needed to get Isabelle home, or to a doctor.

Soon, heavy breaths and soft snores came from the other woman. Judith left the room, closing the door behind her, and hurrying out into the dining area.
Still, no Trey.
She marched to the front door and peeked outside. The walkway was too busy for her to see anyone, so she stepped outside a little farther.

Coaches passed and she studied the crests painted on the doors to see if any belonged to the Worthington family. The wind picked up and teased the curls by her ears. Soon her arms grew cold, but she had to keep looking for him, so she rubbed her hands on her skin to keep herself warm.

Suddenly, the hairs on the back of her neck rose as the distinct feeling of being watched came over her. Fear inched its way up her spine, stilling her heartbeat. Slowly, she glanced around the area, searching for anyone with his or her gaze on her. Many people had looked her way, but they weren’t the cause of the fright lodged in her throat. Her head warned her to hurry back inside and wait for Trey. Yet her stubbornness kept her outside in the cooling temperature.

Her name whispered through the wind and she swung around to see who was behind her. Once again, she didn’t recognize anyone. So why did she hear her name being called?

The cool air turned chillier, and she rubbed her hands over her arms quicker. But the cold dread in her chest didn’t disappear. In fact, it grew.

Looking from one person to the other, she searched every face that passed by, hoping to find the root of her worry. Heavy footsteps came up behind her and a strong hand clasped her shoulder.