He stopped short. “Fell in love?Oh, Judith. You are so young and innocent. Love is for fools.”
Heat burned her face as anger snuck up on her. “Indeed, sir. Perhaps it’syouwho is so cynical. But yes, we are in love with each other.”
“Is he young, like you?”
“He is four and twenty.”
Judith waited for Trey to make a snide remark about Alex’s age. Since Trey was against love, she figured he wouldn’t hold his tongue. After a couple of moments of silence, she wondered what thoughts swam in his head.
He stopped near a lilac bush and bent to remove a dead leaf. “Judith? I know how anxious you are to meet up with your young man. Probably just as eager as my mother is to give you a coming out ball and fulfill her duty as your guardian.”
She tightened her jaw. Where was this leading?
He stood and faced her. “Here is what I propose. You allow me to look for your fiancé to see what his true intentions are. Meanwhile, you let my mother do all she can to prepare your ball.”
Chapter Seven
Judith sucked inher breath. He was actually trying to compromise? Ridiculous! Yet, his proposal sounded genuine. Half of her wanted to agree, the other half didn’t believe him. What choice did she have? The letter she hid from Trey not too long ago in her reticule was ready to send to Alex, only if Trey’s servants would do the errand. But Trey’s suggestion was better. He had more contacts than she did, so perhaps she should let him locate Alex. It wouldn’t be too hard to pretend to let the dowager teach her, either. It might turn out to be entertaining.
She smiled. “Agreed.”
A familiar look crossed his features, causing his eyes to darken again. She wished his mesmerizing gaze didn’t affect her so. Why did it tickle her insides and make her heart flutter? Only Alex should do this to her.
Grinning, he nodded. “Agreed.” He presented his elbow for her to take. “Shall we continue our walk?”
Before she could answer, he took her hand and draped it over his arm then led them further into the gardens.
“I do not think I have told you yet, but you have blossomed into a lovely lady, Judith.” His gaze swept over her. “I’m pleased to see the years have been so kind.”
Her heart skipped a beat. What was wrong with her? Why did her body react so quickly to him? Hadn’t she just admitted how much she loved Alex? Yet, the harder she tried to picture hisface, the deeper Trey’s rugged good looks crept into her mind. Not only that, she had started to think of him as a decent person. A potential friend.
“Thank you for the compliment. I must admit, you turned out rather…um, different than I had expected, too.”
He chuckled.
Suddenly, his appealing scent of spice and leather surrounded her, making her want to close her eyes and breathe in deeply. As she studied the side of his face, his mouth opened while he talked, but she didn’t register what he was saying. Beyond her control, his baritone voice stirred something within her. Watching his lips move made memories of them kissing in the cottage return, along with the tingles that had soared through her.
What had come over her? His sudden kindness confused her. Either that or she must be in the hot sun, since she was melting all over.Alex, where are you?She tried to recall what it had been like in his arms, being kissed by the man she’d proclaimed to love, but it was useless. Trey held her interest completely.
The few times he gazed down at her, his crystal blue eyes captured her attention. Long thick lashes surrounded them. If she wasn’t careful, she could stare at them forever.
Trey for certain knew how to make a woman swoon. Why else would she obediently walk alongside him with weak legs as he made his way toward the gazebo? A place where they could talk in private. Had his caring actions made her doubt his intentions?
Heaviness settled in her chest as her limbs grew shaky. Her heart beat with renewed excitement. Why did he want them to go somewhere so secluded? Worse, why did she want to go with him? He was a rogue no matter how much he dressed like a gentleman.
This was Trey Worthington, for goodness sake. Why did she trust him enough to be alone with him? Running far away wouldbe the best course of action. Unfortunately, her legs weren’t listening and matched his steps as they walked into the gazebo. Discreet shadows fell all around them. He faced her, keeping her close as his hands cupped her elbows.
Her breathing accelerated. Her heart would knock right out of her chest if she allowed it. Surprisingly, her wobbly knees kept her standing instead of collapsing to the ground.
A soft smile touched his handsome face. “Why are you looking at me like that?”
She couldn’t breathe and tightness consumed her chest. She couldn’t speak because her dry throat wouldn’t work. Her parched lips refused to move.
His gaze dropped to her mouth. “You are breathtaking, Judith.” His large hands cupped her face.
Would he kiss her? She mustn’t allow it. Where was Alex when she needed him the most?
*
