She offered her hand which Hawthorne gladly took as he mocked a bow. “I’m Dominic Lawrence, Marquess of Hawthorne.”
She grinned and nodded. “And I’m Miss Judith Faraday, daughter of the sixth Viscount of Manderville.”
Dominic brought her hand to his lips and brushed a soft kiss across her knuckles. “Honored to finally meet you. My condolences for the death of your parents.”
Her heart tugged painfully as she experienced again the mourning that had yet to relinquish her soul. “I thank you, my lord.”
He released her hand and stepped back. Standing tall and straight, he looked every ounce of noble birth. She supposed Trey would look as dignified, too, if she didn’t despise him so much.
“Lord Hawthorne, may I ask you a personal question?”
“Certainly.”
“How long have you been friends with Lord Trey?”
He shrugged. “I have known him for as long as I can remember. We probably were introduced as young boys. Why do you ask?”
She studied the rose pattern lightly scattered on her dress. “I need to know where I stand with you since you are such good friends with him, and especially what I can and cannot say about him in your presence.” Hawthorne’s laughter snapped her attention back to him. “My lord, this is not humorous.”
“I gather you are not fond of Lord Trey?” he asked.
“You assume correctly.”
He stepped to the couch and sat on the edge, his knees brushed her dress. “Miss Faraday, do you know you are the only woman I have met who can say that? Most women think Trey is as dashing as he is charming.”
She gave an unladylike snort. “Then they are nothing but twittering henwits in need of spectacles and a brain.”
“Possibly.” He chuckled again. “I fear you have only seen his bad side. He’s normally not like this.”
“I find him rude, crude, and socially unacceptable. Not only that, but he’s demanding and very controlling. My lord, I do not need to see his good side. He is absolutely despicable.”
“As it is, he’s still my friend, and the most trustworthy person I know.”
Judith pursed her lips. “I thank you for answering my question.”
“And I thank you for entertaining me.” He grinned. “Trey tells me you are going to be the hostess at dinner tonight.”
“Yes.”
“I’m looking forward to it.”
“Let me inform you right now, however, that whatever I do tonight is not the real me, either. If Lord Trey can show me his other side, I shall, too.”
Chapter Nine
Later that evening,Trey stood near the hearth watching Judith and Nic carry on a conversation as they sat on the sofa. Trey didn’t dare admit aloud that Judith did an exceptional job with conversing. She laughed easily at Nic’s comments, yet it wasn’t in a flirtatious manner at all. Trey had seen it often enough when women tried their wiles on men, but in this situation, Judith was being herself and not overly-flattering. Perhaps she did know more than he and his mother expected. That would make his responsibility for finding Judith a husband easier than anticipated.
While she chatted with Nic, her gaze periodically wandered to Trey. Anger and distrust still flickered in the green depths, but thankfully, she never voiced her thoughts. She didn’t need to. He could read her mind already, and it wasn’t good.
He knew it upset her how easily she melted into his arms. Stubborn as she was, Trey figured she didn’t like feeling that weak. Although he shouldn’t have taken her to the gazebo, he certainly enjoyed how she’d fallen for his charm. If his mother hadn’t arrived when she did, the impending kiss would have been inevitable.
He shook off the indecent thought. Getting her out of his mind was essential to his plan. How could he find her a husband if he was infatuated with her himself? Their walk in the flower gardens hadn’t helped his way of thinking, either. She’dmentioned roses were her favorite, and he couldn’t believe how much that little confession had melted his heart. His favorite flower was the rose, as well. He enjoyed watching her smell the flower as the look of pure happiness spread over her expression. To be sure, that would be something he’d never forget.
Finally, a maid entered the room and announced dinner was ready. He stepped forward and offered his elbow to escort Judith inside, but she found Nic’s extended arm first and hooked her hand around his elbow, instead. From over her shoulder, she gave Trey a triumphant grin and haughtily walked into the dining room with the marquess.
Trey boiled inside, balling his fists beside him as he followed like an obedient dog. Perhaps he should have invited more guests tonight—more female guests who actually wanted his company.
She indicated to where he and Nic would be seated then stood before her chair. Trey jumped to her side to pull the chair out for her, but once again, Dominic arrived first. Seething, Trey waited until she was seated before taking his appointed chair at the head of the table.
