“No. I shall be fine.”
“Then I shall be off. Once again, please forgive me for taking such liberties.”
A cold draft seemed to come out of nowhere and chilled her, so she folded her arms. “There’s nothing to forgive. I…I allowed it, although I should not have.”
He nodded and strode to his horse. In one swift movement, he swung atop the steed, and without another look, he urged his horse into a run and was gone.
Emptiness filled her chest and she wanted to cry. In Trey’s arms she experienced things she’d never known existed. But she could never allow that to happen again. He wasn’t husband material, and she could never change him.
A small smile tugged at her lips. Strange thing was, she didn’t want to. His charm was what made him the man she desired. Was it the role of a rogue? Possibly, but it went further. All she knew was if Alex didn’t come for her, she’d have to find a husband soon, because the longer she stayed here, the more she wanted Trey.
Chapter Sixteen
The morning sunon Judith’s face stirred her out of a deep sleep. With a yawn, she stretched her arms above her head. After blinking to clear her vision, she glanced around the room. Her mind rolled from the rapid change to her life. She pulled the blankets to her chin as she curled beneath them. Even as uncertainty dominated most of her thoughts, she smiled. How could she not? Trey’s attention had given her something to ponder.
Not once had a man stirred flutters in her belly and made her heart beat with such wild palpitations. Not once had a man’s kiss made her mind go blank, only to fill with thoughts of him. Alex had never made her toes curl or her mind blank, yet last night while kissing Trey, she couldn’t even remember her fiancé’s name. How could Trey make her feel so desirable when Alex hadn’t come close to inspiring that kind of feeling inside her?
She rolled on her side and stared out the window. Last night before she came to bed, she’d left the drapes open, staring at the moon while making silly wishes. Now in the light of day, she wondered if her wishes could become reality.
Was Alex really the man for her?
Or was Trey?
If, by some great chance, Trey’s thoughts turned to marriage and family, would he make a good husband? She closed her eyes and cuddled her head against the pillow. Would it be so terribleto fall in love with Trey? They were adults now. She didn’t need to fear him as she’d done as a child.
A growl rumbled through her stomach, reminding her of the need to eat. She climbed from the bed and rang for her maid to help her prepare for the day. With each stroke of the brush through her hair, her thoughts were on the man who disturbed her in more ways than one. By the time she was dressed and ready to leave her room, she anticipated seeing Trey this morning.
Telling him about her thoughts was out of the question, mainly because she was uncertain of them herself. Besides, she didn’t want to frighten the poor man. She needed to test the waters first. Did he have the same confused feelings about her?
Judith strolled into the dining room for the morning meal eager to follow through on her decision, but Trey’s absence gave her pause. The dowager ate alone. Heaviness sank in Judith’s chest. Something must be wrong.
The older woman smiled and motioned for her to enter. “Do come in, child. I welcome your company.”
Straightening her shoulders, Judith walked to the chair beside the dowager and sat. “Where is Lord Trey this morning? Usually he’s here and halfway finished with his meal before I arrive.”
“Oh, he will not be joining us for a few days. Business called him out of town, unfortunately.”
Disappointment crept into Judith’s heart, although she tried to usher it out. There was no reason for her to feel this way. He was a free man and could come and go as he pleased.
Why did he have to pick today to go out of town? He’d kissed her so passionately yesterday, leading her to believe there could be more moments like that. Now guilt washed over her like a turbulent wave hitting against jagged rocks. She had indeed frightened him away. Her first instincts about him had beencorrect. He didn’t want a wife. Just a scandalous liaison. He knew Judith looked for a husband and nothing less.
A footman brought her a plate of assorted fruits with scones and honey butter. She picked up an apple slice and nibbled. Her appetite vanished and all she wanted to do was return to her room and sulk. Silently she scolded herself. What made her think he’d change? Naturally, pigs don’t lose their bothersome scent. And Trey would always be a rake of the worst kind.
Isabelle Worthington sipped her tea then patted her mouth with the linen napkin. “I have decided you are ready to plan a real dinner party.”
Judith gasped and swung her head toward the dowager. “Are you certain?”
“Of course. I know an adept pupil when I see one. Mind you, it shan’t be a large gathering, just ten or twelve friends. How does that sound?”
Planning a social gathering didn’t worry Judith. She’d done it several times while her parents were alive. Could she accomplish hosting a successful gathering without Trey there to tease? For some odd reason, he’d been her sole motivation lately. Perhaps his absence was a good thing.
“That sounds wonderful, Your Grace. I would be pleased to host a dinner party.”
Isabelle clapped her hands. “Splendid. We shall have it in four days. Since you are not familiar with those who live nearby, I will send out the invitations.”
Judith forced a smile. “Wonderful. Please be certain to invite the Marquess of Hawthorne. I’m acquainted with him.”
“As you wish, my dear. His family is very close to ours. I, too, would like to visit with him again. I heard his cousin from France is visiting. I shall invite her, as well.”
