The Sweetest Kiss (Brothers of Worthington Series) (29 page)

For sure, he’d become one confused man since she had entered his life.

He adjusted himself on the seat. “So, Miss Faraday, do you have anything to say for yourself?”

Her gaze bounced up and met his, her smile growing wider. “No.”

Inwardly, he growled. “Was your performance on purpose? You know what kind of man Henry Pratt was, and yet you still insisted on wearing a provocative gown.”

“Yes.”

He rolled his eyes. “Would you answer both parts of my question?”

She tapped her finger on her chin. “There were two parts? The first half was clearly a question, but the second sounded more like an observation. It was your opinion, so why should I be expected to answer that?”

Taking a deep, calming breath, he rubbed his forehead. “Judith, you are being very obstinate, you know.”

“Yes, I do.”

“So tell me why. Knowing about Henry Pratt, why did you still wear that gown?”

Her eyes drooped half-mast as she plucked the tie of her cape, opening it to reveal the lovely gown again. She shrugged the garment off her shoulders.

“Do you not like it, my lord?” Her voice was lower than before. “I wore it because I thought you might approve.”

Desire leapt inside him again, and he balled his hands into fists, keeping himself from reaching for her and taking her in his arms. “My opinion is not in question here. The way you acted tonight made me wonder if you were purposely trying to cause a scandal.”

The corner of her mouth lifted. “Indeed?”

He leaned forward, grasping his knees. “I think I know what you are trying to do, and it will not work.”

“And what is that, my lord?”

“You are trying to trap me into marriage. I recall telling you before that women have tried many times, but they have not succeeded. I will not play these games, Judith.”

Sighing heavily, she relaxed against the seat. “Honestly, Trey. Do you really believe I wanted to court Henry Pratt? Do you really think we suit? You know me well, so tell me honestly. Would I have been happy married to him?”

He studied her solemn expression, and the way she gazed deeply into his eyes. Why did she have to ask that question? Why did she fight him so? Yet it was in her nature to go against his opinion. She enjoyed debating issues with him. And God help him, he loved it. That was one of the thing he admired most about her, her willingness to use her brain instead of her body.

He chuckled. “No.”

“You didn’t answer all parts to my question.” She arched a brow.

He grinned wider. “No, no, and no. There. Is that better?”

She kept silent for a few moments as her gaze wandered over him. With each second that passed, her smile softened.

“No, that’s not better,” she said, then lifted off her seat and moved to his, sitting right beside him. “Now this is much better.”

He groaned and closed his eyes, resting his head back against the wall of the coach. It was dangerous for both of them to be this close. He couldn’t fight her. He didn’t want to. But he must.

“Trey,” she whispered as she stroked his chin, turning it to look her way. “I wore this gown for you and only you.”

“What am I going to do with you?” Opening his eyes, he shook his head.

Her smile widened as she cuddled beside him. “Do you really want me to answer that?”

“No.” He cupped her face. “I already know your answer.”

“Tell me why you continue to find me a potential husband when you know I will fight you every step of the way?”

“You are a stubborn woman, Miss Faraday.” He ran the pad of his thumb along her bottom lip. “You are also refusing to see the truth of the matter.”

She leaned into him, her mouth hovering below his. “Trey, I know you want me. Why can you not see I want you just as much?”

Groaning, he brushed his lips against hers. His heart hammered against his chest, threatening to break his ribs. Did he care? Not at this particular moment.

Judith cupped his face as she met his soft kisses, but the more she pressed against him, the more hunger invaded his senses, and being gentle drifted further and further out of his mind. With a loud moan, he wrapped her in his arms and crushed his arms around her as he deepened the kiss.

She pulled away, looking into his eyes. Emotion etched itself all over her expression, and although she didn’t say the words, he knew she was in love with him. His heart leapt, yet his mind tried to crush it. He couldn’t have her saying those words to him. He didn’t know how he’d react.

As she opened her mouth to speak, he shook his head, not wanting her to say the words for fear he’d break her heart when he didn’t repeat them back.

“Trey, I—”

“
Shh
…” He said,
then
kissed her lips again. “Don’t say it.”

“Why?”

“Because I don’t wish to hurt you anymore.”

“Then don’t.”

“Can’t you see? I have no other choice. It’s the kind of man I am.”

Scowling, she pulled away from him and crossed her arms over her chest. “I refuse to believe that rubbish.”

With a deep sigh, he relaxed and pushed his fingers through his hair.
“Oh, Judith.
Why can’t you believe me?”

“Obviously, I know you better than you think I do. The man I know is kind, understanding, and forgiving.”

“Then I have put on an excellent performance.”

“No, I don’t believe it. Trey, you act yourself when you are around me. You can never hurt me.”

“Never say never.
Neither of us knows the future. How can you say I will not hurt you? I’m too much like my father. Someday I will be unfaithful. I go through women quickly. I get restless easily, so I move on.”

She tilted her head, frowning. “Have you ever been in love with any of these women?”

“Of course not.
Don’t be ridiculous.”

“Have you ever considered this is the reason you move on to your next conquest so quickly?”

He shrugged.
“Perhaps.
But I refuse to let any woman have my heart.” Maybe if he said it enough times, he’d believe it. The burning sensation in his chest whispered she might be correct in her guess.

“Why, Trey?” She stroked his face, then his neck. “Love is not something to run from. It’s what makes two people complete.”

The ache in his chest continued to expand to where it was impossible to breathe. Confusion swam in his head and looking into Judith’s understanding eyes was making it worse. She didn’t know what he knew about love, and he hesitated to tell her. Yet he must. There was no other way she’d know what pain stayed in his heart from the past.

He shook his head and pulled away from her tender touch. “No, Judith. You cannot understand what agony I have suffered. I know very well what love is capable of doing to people.”

“How, when you have admitted you have never been in love?”

“I have seen what it’s done to those around me.”

“Do you mean your parents?”

“Yes, them.
And others.”

“But Trey, were your parents truly in love?”

He frowned. “No.”

“Then—”

“But Tristan was.”

Her eyes widened and a gasp escaped her throat.
“Tristan?
All of this is about your brother?”

“Yes.”

“Why?”

Sighing, he rubbed his eyes. He couldn’t talk about it. The only person he opened up with was Hawthorne. Even Trey’s mother didn’t know the truth. He couldn’t open up the grave of guilt eating at his heart.

A soft hand touched his and removed it from his face. Caring eyes stared back at him as she lowered his hand to her lap, still clutching it.

“Please tell me.”

Her heart-felt plea knocked down one of the walls of ice protecting him. Agony squeezed through his chest. He’d tell her. Maybe then her ridiculous idea of wanting him for her husband would disappear. Once she knew the truth, she’d certainly find another man to please.
 

~*~*~*~

To Judith’s disappointment, the coach stopped before Trey could speak another word. She pulled the cloak together and readied herself. Once the footman opened the door, Trey climbed out first then assisted her.

She held his stare as she stepped onto the ground, and although he let go of her hand, she wouldn’t let him get away. Quickly, she slipped her hand around his elbow and followed him inside the house.

The halls were quiet and dimly lit. Had the servants retired for the evening? She sincerely
hoped
so. She wanted more time alone with Trey, especially since he acted as if he had something very important to tell her. It must be imperative if it was keeping him from loving her.

He stopped just before they reached the stairs, and turned to face her. “Would you like to change into something more comfortable?”

“What I would like is to sit somewhere with you so you can finish telling me about Tristan.”

When he smiled, it didn’t touch his eyes. Sadness still lingered in their depths.

“I have no desire to talk here and have servants
overhear
, or heaven forbid my mother interrupt us.”

“How about a walk outside?”

Nodding, he took her by the hand and led them outside into the moonlight. Only a few lanterns lit the side of the house, and the farther away they walked, the more shadows thickened around them. Soon, their only light became the moon.

He kept her hand in his while his other hand stroked her arm. She didn’t say anything, hoping he would speak first. When his steps slowed, she grew hopeful.

Stopping, he looked up into the night sky. She admired the shape of his handsome face and stubborn jaw,
then
shifted her eyes to his irresistible neck that made her want to nibble to her complete satisfaction.

After taking a deep breath, he looked at her. “What do you remember about Tristan?”

Memories flooded her mind, and she couldn’t stop the smile stretching her mouth. “He was an enjoyable person. He laughed a lot. He also teased, although it was not anything like your teasing.”

He chuckled.

“And I remember he made friends easily,” she added. “He was the person to talk with because he would listen and understand.”

Trey nodded. “He was a man with a huge heart, and his caring heart was the very thing that killed him in the end.”

She shook her head as confusion filled her. “I don’t understand.”

He turned and led them toward a stone bench. They sat together, but shadows from the nearby tree made it hard to see his face.

“Two years ago,” Trey began, “Tristan fell in love. He fell hard. She was the daughter of an Earl, and her father wanted to find the best match for her. Tristan would do anything for that woman. He wanted to marry her, but her parents would not allow the match because Tristan was the second son, and other lords—with higher titles—were vying for her attention, too. Lady Diana led my brother to believe he had a chance, making him hope her parents would eventually give in and allow her to marry him. One night, he went to her house to talk her into eloping with him, but instead he found her in the stables with another man.”

Judith gasped and covered her mouth. “Were they…you know…”

Trey shrugged. “Tristan would not tell me, but he hinted that Lady Diana was there against her will. So upset at Lord Hollingsworth, Tristan challenged him to a duel.” Trey shook his head. “Now that I think back on it, I realize Lady Diana didn’t do anything to stop it. If she had pleaded with my brother, he would not have gone through with it.
Makes me wonder if she indeed wanted him to duel the other man.”

He sighed heavily. “Anyway, Tristan asked me to be his second and I agreed. My brother is an excellent swordsman, but the man he had challenged was deceitful. Deep in my heart, I knew I had to be there to protect my brother.”

Her heart ached hearing Trey’s agony. The pain he had suffered was evident in the lines in his face and his tight frown. She wanted to caress him, to kiss him and make him feel better, but instead, she let him talk.

Leaning his elbows on his knees, he rested his forehead in his hands. “I was right. Lord Hollingsworth could not be trusted. As Tristan and I stood on the field waiting for the others to arrive, Tristan was shot. Hollingsworth hid in the trees and shot my brother.”

“Oh, Trey.
No!” She stroked his stiff shoulder.

“Tristan didn’t die immediately. I wrestled Hollingsworth to the ground, ready to kill the man myself. Tristan fought with Hollingsworth’s second, but due to his weakened state, the other man was stronger. Before I knew it, they were near the edge of the cliff. I broke away from Hollingsworth and ran to assist my brother, but—”

His voice choked, which made emotion clog her throat. Tears stung her eyes, but she continued to caress Trey’s shoulder.

“He fell over the cliff before I could stop it from happening. I was almost there, but I was not fast enough.” His voice broke and he covered his face with his hands. “My brother died because I could not save him.”