The Sweetest Kiss (Brothers of Worthington Series) (33 page)

One of the upstairs maids bustled into her room to tidy up, but Judith didn’t want to talk. Thankfully, the woman didn’t either. She wouldn’t even glance at Judith.

Had she really been shunned from the family? Any moment Trey would come to her room and instruct her to pack her things and go far away, never to return.

Tears filled her eyes. As much as the idea frightened her, she doubted Trey would do that. After all, he was the one who made the confession. If he didn’t do the right thing and marry her now, his reputation would be ruined, also. Then again, he was a rogue, so maybe it wouldn’t hurt him at all. He had told her several times that he would not be trapped into marriage. That’s exactly what happened.

A knock came upon the door, but she refrained from moving. The maid turned and looked at Judith. “Miss, do want visitors?”

“No.” Judith flipped her hand. “Send them away, please.”

“As you wish.”

By the second knock, the maid opened the door.

“I’d like to speak with Miss Faraday.”

Judith gasped and turned in bed, bringing the covers with her as she stared at the towering man at the door. It was the duke, Trey’s older brother, Trevor.

“Your Grace, she’s indisposed,” the maid curtsied and replied.

His hard stare met Judith’s from across the room. “Get up now and put on your wrapper. I will not wait to discuss this with you.”

Nodding, Judith jumped out of bed, pushed her feet into slippers and yanked on her wrapper. Trevor walked to the couch on the other side of the room where he sat. On shaky legs, she moved to the other chair across from his and sank down on the cushion.

“It’s nice to see you again, Your Grace,” she said in a small voice. “When did you arrive?”

He arched a brow. “I arrived just shortly after the entertainment last night.”

Heat flooded her face and she swallowed hard. “I see. I’m sorry I missed your arrival.”

“I’m sorry I missed the main event.”

Trevor kept his narrowed stare on her in silence for a few awkward moments. His eyes were a dark blue…a frightening blue. She’d never seen him so cross before. Although he had the Worthington’s handsome looks, his scowl could frighten young children, she was sure.

Judith fidgeted in her chair and wrung her hands against her middle. Would he yell at her? Demand she leave posthaste? If so, she wished he’d do it soon. Worrying about the unknown was killing her.

He let out a deep sigh, sat back and folded his arms over his chest. “So tell me, Miss Faraday, how has my brother been treating you?”

She stared at him with wide eyes. Was he being humorous? That wasn’t a trait she thought he had. He’d always been so serious. “I do not understand your question.”

“Fine, I shall put it bluntly. Was my brother telling the truth when he announced to my mother’s guests that he’d been intimate with you?”

She dropped her gaze to her lap and ran her finger along the seam of her wrapper. “Yes, he was telling the truth.”

“That scoundrel.
The last time I talked with him, he promised me you were safe under his care. He said you would remain innocent.”

“Oh, he hasn’t done anything to compromise my virtue,” she said quickly as she snapped her head up to look his way. After the words were out, she silently cursed herself for blurting that out.

Trevor grinned, reminding
her a
lot of the way Trey smiled. Even the dimple on his chin flashed at her—something she hadn’t seen since they were children.

“He has not compromised your virtue?” Trevor tapped his finger on his chin. “What an interesting change of events.”

Her face flamed, but she kept her eyes on him anyway.

“It makes me wonder why Trey led everyone to believe he
had?
Especially to a room full of gossipmongers.”

She shrugged. “I pray it was because he knew I didn’t want to leave with Mr. Cutler. Alex lied about the betrothal agreement, but I had no way to prove it at the moment. I was sinking fast, and I didn’t know how to get out. I silently pleaded with Trey to help me, and I prayed he could see it in my eyes.”

Trevor nodded. “So my gallant brother came to your rescue?”

“Yes. That’s the way I look at it. However, I seriously think Trey is not thinking the way I am.”

“What do you suppose he’s thinking?”

“I fear he thinks I have trapped him in some way.”

“But you were not the one who confessed the secret.”

“I know, but I desperately wanted him to help me last night.”

He shook his head. “That does not mean Trey is going to think you have trapped him.”

“I don’t know, Your Grace. I know how he feels about love and marriage.”

Trevor tilted his head, his eyes widening. “He’s shared with you his feelings on the subject?”

“Yes.”

“So the two of you have grown rather close, both physically and emotionally?”

“Yes. He knows I’m in love with him.”

“Does
he
now
.” His grin stretched across his face. “So I’m assuming you do not mind marrying him after all.”

“I do want to marry him, Your Grace, but I don’t want him to think I trapped him.”

“I see.” He nodded.

She leaned forward. “Do you think he will marry me?”

Trevor chuckled. “Oh, he will do the right thing by you. I can promise that.”

“Are you saying you will force him?”

He held up his hands and shrugged. “You put me in an awkward position, Miss Faraday. If my brother does not do it first, I must force him to do the right thing.”

Her heart flipped with excitement, yet she worried Trey would eventually blame her.
If he hadn’t done so already.

“Did you come here to tell me to leave?” she asked.

“No. I wanted to know how you felt about my brother, and especially how he feels about you.” Trevor stood, walked to her and patted her shoulder. “Keep up the good work.” He winked. “You are the best thing that has ever happened to my brother.”

Tears gathered in her eyes and she smiled. “What does your mother think? Does she hate me for ruining her birthday party?”

“I shall let my mother talk to you herself. Do not fret, though. She’s a very understanding woman.”

“All right.”

As Trevor walked out the door, her heart lifted slightly. Trevor would see that she married Trey. But would he hate her if that happened? She must talk to him, and to his mother, of course. Thankfully, Trevor was on her side.

Judith jumped up and hurried to get dressed, suddenly having the energy to make it through the evening. Not bothering to style her hair, she brushed it away from her face and tied a ribbon around the bulk that lay against her neck. She didn’t plan on having company, and hopefully nobody would mind her hair hanging down her back.

She hurried out of her room and down the stairs. As she expected, the house was abnormally quiet. When one of Isabelle’s servants walked by, she stopped them. “Can you tell me where the dowager is right now?”

The maid curtsied. “She’s in her room and does not wish to be disturbed.”

Judith frowned. “I suppose I shall talk with her later.”

“Yes, Miss.” The maid bobbed again then turned and left.

Sighing deeply, Judith walked down the hall to Trey’s study, but it was empty. Should she allow him more time to think of his hasty decision? If she gave him more time, would he feel as if she was trapping him?
Oh heavens.
Why couldn’t she think about anything without worrying?

She wandered through the house, but soon stepped outside. The weather was lovely for riding. Too bad she wasn’t dressed for it. Walking was good, too, as long as she did it before the sun set on the horizon.

As she strolled through the dowager’s flower garden, she smiled in remembrance of the time she and Trey had walked through here on her first day. Things had been so different back then. Now she was glad he’d talked her into staying and allowing his mother to sponsor her into society.

From the corner of her eyes, there was a movement at the gazebo. Curious, she stepped closer until the man sitting inside came to her view. Her heart leapt.
Trey!

She must have caught his attention too, because his head snapped up and his gaze met hers. They stared at each other for a few seconds before he motioned for her to come nearer. Each step closer, her heart beat harder. He wasn’t smiling, yet he didn’t have that hard look on his face, either.

When she entered the rotund center, he scooted over on the bench and patted the empty space next to him. Her body shook, either with excitement or fear, she couldn’t decide, but she did as instructed.

This evening he wore only a loose shirt and black breeches, appearing more casual than she thought he should. Had he been in his bedroom all day, as well?

Silence filled the space between them, and she knew if he didn’t say anything, her heartbeat would soon echo in the night. His eyes were toward the opening of the gazebo, but she remained staring at him, praying he didn’t hate her.

He cleared his throat. “So, that was Mr. Cutler.”

Her heart knocked crazily against her ribs. “Yes,” she said in a small voice.

“Somehow I pictured him differently. My solicitor showed me Cutler’s picture, but he does not look anything like it.”

“His hair is longer than I remember, and he’s sporting a mustache whereas he had not before.”

“I’m curious to know where he obtained that uniform since my solicitor discovered he was never in the navy.”

She shrugged. “I cannot fathom. Just one of his disguises, I suppose.”

Trey finally looked at her. Still, his expression was unreadable.

“I don’t know why I did not think to have him arrested last night. If you remember correctly, my solicitor also discovered Mr. Cutler had stolen jewelry from three young widows.”

“Yes, I recall that now.” She licked her dry lips. “I suppose you didn’t think to have him arrested because it was such a shock to see him at your mother’s party, and making false accusations.”

“True.” He pushed his fingers through his hair, leaned back on the bench and looked at the ceiling. “But I sent out a letter this morning to my solicitor, informing him of Mr. Cutler’s actions. Hopefully, the police will be able to find Mr. Cutler before he does more damage.”

“Yes, I pray they will, too.”

Judith swallowed hard, still keeping her eyes on him. Would he say anything about his confession or would she be the one to bring it up? The suspense nearly killed her. How could he act so calm at a time like this?

Sighing heavily, he met her stare again. “So, I suppose we should plan a wedding now, shouldn’t we?”

Worry shook her body as tears stung her eyes. Still, she didn’t know if he was mad or if the idea of marrying her was agreeable to him. “I suppose.” Her voice cracked, so she cleared her throat.

“Usually when situations like this happen, a speedy marriage accompanies it. Do you understand?”

“Yes. We should be married within the week.”

“Indeed.
Such a torturous task.
Don’t you agree?”

Her vision blurred and her heart broke. No excitement shown in his eyes, and pain laced his throat. No
hint of his teasing grin
, either. Obviously he didn’t want to marry her. He’d even called it torture. Her worst nightmare had come true. He blamed her. As much as she loved him, she couldn’t marry him when he didn’t return her love. She wouldn’t be like his parents, and she’d save him from the same fate.

She had to leave. Not just here, right now, but leave the manor. She couldn’t bring shame to the Worthington family. Hopefully, the Dowager would understand.

Standing, Judith swiped the tears from her eyes and faced Trey. “We should be married quickly, but we won’t. I cannot let it happen this way, Trey. I will be gone first thing in the morning and you will never have to worry about me again.”

Judith darted out of the gazebo, not wanting to face Trey. Lifting her dress above her ankles, she quickened her steps and ran. He called her name, but she ignored him and focused on the side doors.
Almost there
.

Her tears blurred her vision, but she didn’t wipe them in her pursuit to get inside the house and separate herself from Trey. Her legs shook, but she pushed herself forward. She couldn’t become weak now.

The doorknob was within reached. She stretched her hand and held her breath. But a large hand grasped her arm, stopping her flight.

“Judith!”

Trey’s voice came out forceful.
Demanding.
She looked over her shoulder at him, and realized his voice didn’t portray the worry on his face.

“Good heavens, woman. Have you gone insane?”

She shook her head and tried to pull her arm away, but he held it tightly.

“What possessed you to say what you did back there?” he asked.

Taking a deep breath for courage, she straightened her shoulders, ready for battle. “I will not let this happen, Trey. I’ll not marry a man who thinks of marriage as torture.” She swallowed the knot in her throat. “And I’ll not let what happened to your parents happen to us.”