Trey pushed away from the door and inched toward her. With each step, her heartbeat knocked harder, nearly shaking her corset loose. Suffocation threatened to make her swoon. She pushed aside that thought.I must be strong.
“All you showed me tonight was the ill-mannered girl I recalled from our childhood.” He ran his fingers through his hair and grinned. “You were unruly as a child. From what I have observed, you have not changed a bit.”
When he stopped beside her, he grasped one of her hands and brought it closer to his face, studying her fingernails. “I half expected to see claws.”
She yanked her hand away and glared. “Keep goading my temper and you will, my lord.”
Shaking his head, he tsked. “My dear Judith, have you not realized who holds the key to your future? You have been entrusted to my mother’s care whether you like it or not. She has asked for my help with your education, which I will do, but you are not making it easy.”
She gave a forced laugh. “I do not plan on it.”
“I thought we had made a bargain this afternoon in the flower garden.”
“As did I, but you swindled me into signing my soul to the devil.”
“Miss Faraday, you wound me. I’m not the devil.” His voice dropped, low and smoldering. “If you let me, I can be your salvation. I truly wish to locate your fiancé, but you are making it difficult for me to be pleasant.”
Anger shot through her, and she wanted to scream. Instead, she faced him, hands bunched at her sides. “You have not done anything yet.”
“I have hardly had the time, Miss Faraday. Tomorrow afternoon, come to my study and we shall pen a letter to the Navy. Will that please you?”
She held her breath. The last time she relied on him, he’d made her look incompetent. Obviously, he didn’t want her company any more than she wanted his. To end this ruse, they had to work together, even as disgusting as the idea sounded.
“Yes, that will please me. What time shall I come to your study?”
“After the noon meal.”
“Splendid. I shall be there.” She stepped closer until she nearly touched her nose to his. Trey’s eyes widened but he didn’t retreat. Shoulders back, she held her ground and wouldn’t cower. “This time, I shall be on guard. I cannot trust you, my lord. You say one thing and mean another, which you have proven to me thus far. If you do not come through with your side of the bargain, I shan’t either. Agreed?”
Every second that passed, his ragged breaths blew against her face. A hint of brandy wafted through the air along with the pimento. His gaze lowered to her lips, and soon his hardened expression softened.
“You are a hard woman to resist, Judith. If you graced me with that lovely smile you bestowed upon Lord Hawthorne this evening I might be lost forever under your control.”
He slid slowly away from her and left the room. With the contact broken, she grew cold inside. She reasoned she had built an ice-wall to keep him out. That was the only good explanation she could come up with right now.
Chapter Eleven
Trey drummed hisfingers on his oak desk, staring out the window. Judith’s letter couldn’t be put off another day. His solicitor needed this information quickly in order to look into Lieutenant Alexander Cutler’s past. Finding out about the man was of utmost importance.
Since last night’s dinner, and especially the heated exchange he’d shared with Judith in her room, his thoughts kept straying to the young woman and her beau.
Trey arched a brow. Exactly how close had Judith and her officer gotten before her parents died? A sour taste invaded his senses. Could this be the reason she fought Trey’s help in finding her alternative suitors? He’d have to ask her about it. Innocence was key in the art of husband hunting and if she’d been compromised… Trey groaned. Could the girl be in a family way? When had she last seen Alex?
Trey rubbed his forehead. If Judith wasn’t the maid his mother had expected her to be, Trey would have no choice but to dismiss her from his family’s house. Another scandal would be more than his mother could endure. What a disaster this was turning out to be.
A light hum from the hall drew his attention to the opened door. The swishing of skirts grew louder before his mother passed his study. Quickly, he stood. “Mother? Might I have a word?”
Seconds later, her head of silver ringlets peeked around the doorway. “You wish to speak with me?”
“Yes. Could you come in, please?”
She nodded and, ever the picture of grace and decorum, floated inside, smiling. “What is on your mind, son?”
He motioned to the cushioned chair near his desk. “Have a seat. I do not wish to exhaust you by making you stand.”
She sat and folded her hands on her lap before he took his seat.
“Mother, I have not yet had a chance to speak with you about your letter.”
