Her heart leapt. Was he truly a gentleman? Did he indeed want to be friends or was this a ploy to trap her into doing something against her will?
*
Hesitantly, she tookthe rose and lifted it to her nose. The pleasing fragrance wafted around her, soothing her temper. “Thank you, my lord. I do enjoy flowers, roses especially.”
“Why is that?”
“Because these were my mother’s favorite flower as well, and their scent brings back happy memories.”
“Then I’m pleased that you are pleased.”
“I am, my lord.”
His smile widened. “Please, call me Trey.”
She nodded. “Then you must call me Judith.”
“I shall.”
Judith was the first to turn back to the path as she walked beside him. Why was it hard to trust him? He proclaimed himself a gentleman, yet he had stolen a kiss from her already. Hardly the actions of a true gentleman. How could she think of him as anything but a rogue?
He cleared his throat. “So, Judith, tell me about this young man of yours.”
Panic gripped her throat as her heartbeat hammered in a quick rhythm. Should she tell him? She seriously considered doing the opposite and lying to him instead. She hesitated in answering. “Why do you wish to know?”
“I have been thinking…”
“That’s a dangerous thing, my lord. I mean, Trey.”
He grinned. “Perhaps, but earlier today I wondered why you were so dead set against allowing my mother to sponsor yourcoming out ball. I recalled you were to meet your fiancé at the woodsman’s cottage, correct?”
“Yes.” Her voice came out small.
“Why was he not there, may I ask?”
She shrugged as disappointment wrenched her heart. “That is a question that has been going through my mind all day.”
“You mentioned he was in the Navy.”
“Yes.”
“Do you suppose his duty to the Crown detained him?”
“I had thought that.” So she’d lie a little.
“Will you tell me about him? What is the name of this young man?”
The pebbled path took them farther into the colorful refuge of the garden. The fragrance of roses faded while lilacs and lilies became more predominant.
“I met Alexander Cutler before he joined the Royal Navy. He was a distant relative of our neighbors.” Warmth crept up her cheeks. “He was such a charming man, and it didn’t take long to realize we were meant for each other. We wanted the same things, but he knew he didn’t earn enough to support a wife.”
“What rank is he?”
“A lieutenant.”
“You really believe he’s the man for you?”
She grinned. “Iknowhe is. We have so much in common, which is why we fell in love so fast.”
