“Splendid. I shall relay the information to Mother, unless you would like to do it.”
Trevor shrugged. “I don’t know when I will see her next.”
“Certainly you will see her at Judith’s coming out ball, Friday after next.”
Trevor’s eyebrows rose. “That soon?”
“The girl is ready, so why not get it over and done with? Personally, I cannot wait to find her a husband so I can return to my own life.”
Trevor laughed. “Always thinking about your well-being, I see. Glad to know you have not changed.” He bumped his elbow into Trey’s arm.
Rage burned through him like a torch. His brother had always made Trey feel inferior. Obviously, the titled brother hadn’t changed, either, but the reason he gave Trevor was far from the truth. Trey didn’t want to give Judith to another man. He wanted to be the one to kiss those sweet lips. Him and none other.
Unfortunately, that was the very thing he couldn’t do, which was why finding her a husband was so essential. Especially now that her former beloved had turned out to be a scandalous man. Trevor would never understand how Trey felt. Trevor had always been a saint who did and acted the way their parents expected of him. Which was why the older brother let his parents arrange his wedding to a woman he’d never met.
“Well, I must be off.” Trevor adjusted his hat on his head. “I shall attend Miss Faraday’s ball, only to see how well you have taken care of my ward.”
Trey nodded. “And when you see how well she turned out, will I hear an apology?”
Laughter rang through the air as Trevor turned. “Only time will tell, brother.”
Yes, time would certainly tell. Trey seethed. He couldn’t wait to hear his brother grovel when Judith turned out a splendid performance. He was confident she would amaze everyone, including his mother. She would have beaus lined up at the door, just as every girl her age dreamed of having.
He growled and hurried inside his office. How could he deal with this sudden feeling of possessiveness? Finding a titled, wealthy man for Judith was exactly what her parents would want, God rest their souls. Yet, how could Trey give her away so easily when he wanted her himself?
He mustn’t give into temptation. He needed to remain strong. Judith would not be compromised by him. Her husband would be very pleased.
For some reason, that thought left a disgusting taste in Trey’s mouth, and an ache in his chest. The ale he’d sipped must have been bad, he reasoned.
Chapter Nineteen
It had beenquite a while since Judith took the time to visit the shops along Bond Street. As a young girl, she’d gone with her mother, excited to be holding her parent’s hand as they strolled from venue to venue. Although she wasn’t with her mother now, the thrill returned as enthusiasm bubbled in her chest.
When Trey had first mentioned training her for her ball, she’d found the mere idea distasteful. She didn’t want another person besides her mother doing that. Even though she missed her mother greatly, deep inside her heart Judith knew this was what her parents wanted for her, to enjoy herself to the fullest.
So perhaps going shopping was indeed a wise idea.
The dowager giggled like a schoolgirl at the hustle and bustle of the shops. Judith smiled and hid her laugh from the older woman. Remarkable what an outing would do for someone’s spirits.
A cluster of the king’s sailors stood in front of a shop, and Judith’s heartbeat raced with anticipation. Would Alex be here? She eyed each one carefully, their red coats with silver buttons shining in the sunlight. When Alex wasn’t among the men, her hopes plummeted. Thankfully, the dowager didn’t remark on the way Judith studied each one, because she didn’t know how to explain Alex to her yet.
The first establishment they entered was the dress shop where the owner, Mrs. André greeted them by shaking bothJudith and Isabelle Worthington’s hands. One of the helpers insisted Judith remain firmly on a stool while she draped colorful silks over her to see which colors Judith would look best in. Standing still, she had nothing better to do than gaze through the mirror as each silk lay across her shoulders and bosom. Isabelle and the shop owner stood behind her nodding their approval or the negative shake of their head. If the dowager had her way—which she would—Judith would receive only the best gown for her ball.
Judith heaved a disheartening sigh.My coming out ball.She’d made a deal with Trey. She held up her end, but would he? Would he be able to find Alex before she made her debut into society?
Boredom overcame Judith quickly, and her gaze wandered out the window at the people walking by, and the fancy dressed horses pulling the elaborate carriages up and down the cobbled streets of London. With a frown, she sighed heavily in defeat. Coming out balls were for girls who sought marriage. She already had an agreement, so why did she continue with this farce? Until she knew for certain why Alex hadn’t come to the woodsman’s cottage, she must have faith he still wanted to marry her.
For the past few months, she’d dreamed of marrying only one man, Lieutenant Alexander Cutler. Even if Trey’s actions confused her and his kisses set her on fire, she would remain steadfast in her decision to marry Alex. It wasn’t fair to give up on him so soon. After all, he wanted her for herself, and not for her inheritance. Once her worth became known, every fortune hunter around would be sniffing her skirts like animals in heat.
Alex was different. He’d fallen in love with her before her parents died, never knowing how much her inheritance was really worth. She smiled. That put him at the top of her list.
Judith convinced herself that once she was in Alex’s arms, he would make her forget Trey completely. Alex would erase all the limb-trembling times she’d been in Trey’s embrace, and especially all the heated times he’d kissed her. She closed her eyes and let her mind wander back to yesterday afternoon, a place where she shouldn’t be. Yet staying away was out of the question. How could she ever forget the way Trey had made her feel?
Shaking away the pleasurable memory, she reminded herself Trey wasn’t interested in marriage. She was a pathetic fool for believing he would change. She opened her eyes and forced herself to pay attention to what was happening around her. Isabelle and the shop owner giggled over the sketches, and the young girl continued to drape Judith with colors. She switched her gaze to the window again as people scurried along the walkway. She glanced across the street, resting her eyes on a familiar figure as he crept between two buildings.
Her heart paused then sprang to life. “Alex,” she screamed and jumped off the stool, knocking the seamstress over to fall on her buttocks.
Judith pushed past the other patrons entering the building and ran outside. Two women stopped short of bumping into Judith as she scampered toward the spot she’d seen Alex. Several carriages and coaches were in her way, but she didn’t have time to wait until they passed. She must get across now.
