“I assume you are oblivious to her glares.” Nic shrugged. “Then again, she probably only does that behind your back. My friend, I regret to tell you, I highly doubt you have made an admirer out of that particular woman.”
“As that may be, I shall find the man’s name and have him investigated.” He grumbled as he started for the door to his study but stopped. Where were his manners to forget about his guest? “Hawthorne? Would you like the butler to show you to your room?”
Chuckling, Nic shook his head. “Why? It’s still early and I can return home. It’s only a few hours ride to my family’s estate.”
“I would greatly enjoy your company for dinner. I require help with Miss Faraday this evening. Besides, she needs the practice.”
Nic cleared his throat, his eyes widening. “I beg your pardon. Practice in doing what, may I ask?”
“I need your help in assessing her educational background. For Mother’s sake, we need to see what exactly the girl was taught about social graces.”
“Fear not, my good man.” Nic smiled wide. “I shall assist, but by tomorrow afternoon, I must leave.”
“Splendid. See you at dinner.”
“What are your plans now?”
“To pour a little sweetness on my mother’s ward.” Trey wagged his eyebrows. “I will prove to you, I have not lost my touch.”
“Would you care to make a wager, Worthington? I never pass on an opportunity to make easy money.”
Trey ignored Nic’s comments, but as he walked out, Hawthorne’s laughter rang through the room. Trey scowled. What did Nic know? His friend hadn’t been lying next to Miss Faraday on the bed with the blanket pulled over their heads earlier this morning. Nic didn’t know how fast her mouth had softened beneath Trey’s, either. Ladies always enjoyed men fawning over them. He’d prove to Miss Faraday he was as gentlemanly as they came, since she had made it a point several times to tell him he wasn’t.
In the corridor, his mother was discussing Miss Faraday’s arrival with the servants. Kitchen maids wearing white aprons rushed in and out of the large dining room, carrying his mother’s precious silverware. Her strong voice gave no indication of her weakened state. She had proclaimed to be ill in the letter she’d sent him a fortnight ago asking for his help. Was she indeed ill? If not, why did she pretend?
He bounded up the stairs two at a time before marching down the hallway to his chambers. As he turned the corner and neared one of the guest rooms, the door opened. Judith sashayed out, wearing a yellow and white day dress. Her chestnut hair had been re-styled—a tight bun at the back of her neck with only three ringlets by each ear. Now he saw more of her slender neck than he wanted to, even as a lace shawl draped over her shoulders.
Before she noticed him, Trey stopped and leaned against the wall to study her. Judith seemed preoccupied studying the lock and key. Was she trying to figure out how it worked? Perhaps she wanted to keep someone out. What were the odds he was the demon in her mind at this moment?
With her beauty, he suspected her parents must have fought off plenty of suitors before they died. Now, he and his motherwould be the ones with the club in hand, turning away money-hungry men seeking to fatten their purses with her inheritance. And what about the poor besotted young pups who would fall madly in love at first sight?
He rolled his eyes. What a waste of life, in his opinion. Why would any man want to chain themselves to one woman? Raised by parents who couldn’t stand each other, it was easy for Trey to discern what he wanted out of life. Love and marriage were not it.
His father warned him years ago that marriage was only for producing heirs. Falling in love was for fools and should be avoided. Obviously, the disastrous match between Trey’s own parents proved that theory.
Without a doubt, he would wear the title of rogue for the remainder of his days without any regrets.
A deep sigh escaped Judith before she stopped fussing with the lock. She squared her shoulders and closed the door with a final resounding click. Trey remained against the wall, so when she turned, she nearly collided with him.
She shrieked, her hand flying to her mouth. Eyes wide, her gaze skimmed his face, then slowly down his cravat and shirt. It only took a moment before the fright in her expression disappeared. Her face relaxed as her eyes turned a deep emerald. He hitched a quiet breath, not prepared for how lovely she looked this way.
“Forgive me for startling you, Miss Faraday.”
“I would hope so.” Her voice shook.
He glanced behind her to the door before meeting her gaze. “Are yousafelyunpacked andsecurein your room?”
“Indeed I am, my lord. I thank you for inquiring about my welfare.”
“I suppose the lock works.” He grinned and crossed his arms over his chest.
“It does.” Her finely shaped eyebrow rose. “And I wish it to stay in working order throughout the duration of my stay.”
“As it should.” He pulled away from the wall, dropping his arms to his side. “I expected you to be resting. Are you not exhausted from your journey?”
“Unfortunately, there is too much on my mind for me to rest. I had hoped to take a stroll in your mother’s flower gardens. I remember they were a sight to behold when I was a child.”
He nodded. “Indeed, they are.”
