Hopefully, she wouldn’t want to talk to him during the weekend.
As soon as the thought crossed his mind, he chuckled. For the past few years Trey had been doing everything in his power to push the girl away. So then why now would she even dare approach him? The only reason he remotely enjoyed her visits was so he could tease her and make her cry to her mommy.
Although—come to think about it, Judith never really did go crying to her mother. Brave little girl.
From the corner of his eyes, he saw Tommy Little—the second son of the Earl of Cornwell, dash toward Judith. She couldn’t see Tommy because her back was to him. But if Trey knew Tommy—and he did—that boy was up to no good. Tommy’s stunts sometimes made Trey’s look amateurish.
But Tommy wasn’t slowing down. In fact, he was gaining speed and heading directly toward Judith. Although Trey shouldn’t care what the other boy was going to do, Trey suddenly felt defensive. Judith washisscapegoat. Nobody could tease her but him!
Tommy neared Judith and pushed her as he ran by. She stumbled into Edward Fraser, spilling her punch down her lavender and white dress, getting some of the drink on Edward.
Trey grumbled. That was it? That’s the best Tommy could come up with? Well, Trey would show the dolt how it was done…
He marched to Judith who was now trying her best to smile under the uncomfortable situation as she swiped the excess liquid off the material. The boys spoke words of encouragement as if they were trying to keep her spirits up. When Trey stopped in front of Judith, her eyes widened, and for a moment, malice flashed in their emerald depths. He didn’t know why, but he enjoyed riling her…seeing anger—and irritation—shine in her eyes.
The other boys greeted Trey, but he didn’t reply, just content to stare at her while his thoughts scrambled to think of what he could do to top Tommy.
Suddenly, she straightened her shoulders and arched an eyebrow. Was she challenging him? Well…he was certainly up for the task. Before he could think of something to say—or how to act—a sweet fragrance drifted from her and enveloped him. Flowers…
He couldn’t stop his attention from dropping to her lips. Good grief, they were fuller than he remembered, and oh, so tempting!
Before he could stop himself, he stepped right up to her, grasped her shoulders and kissed her soundly on the lips. Her body stiffened. The boys in back of him gasped.
Warning bells clanged loudly in Trey’s head, startling him like never before. He quickly withdrew. Of all the things to go through his mind right now, why did it have to be that he’d beat Tommy?
Grinning in victory, Trey strolled away from the group, realizing nobody could top him now…
A hard knock came upon the door to his study, yanking Trey out of his memory.
“Worthington? Are you there?”
Trey blinked and glanced around the room to get his bearings. Oh yes, the dinner party—and Judith. He opened the door and smiled at his friend. The marquess stood in front of him, grinning like the cat that had swallowed a canary.
“My good man, what are you doing holed up in your study when you should be greeting guests with your mother and Miss Faraday?”
“I’d rather not take on that responsibility right now, thank you very much.” With his hand, Trey motioned for his friend to enter. “Would you like a pre-dinner drink? I have Bourbon or Brandy.”
Nic chuckled. “Are you purposely trying to get sloshed?”
“No, I just need something to steady my nerves.”
Dominic eyed him closely then leaned closer and took a deep sniff. “Well, you are almost there. I fear if you drink anymore, you will make a fool out of yourself falling on your face as you enter the dining room. We don’t wish to embarrass Miss Faraday, do we?”
“What makes you think I will embarrass Miss Faraday?”
“You forget, I have seen you drunk.”
“I’m not drunk. Yet.” He took another sip then set the snifter on the tray. “But you are quite right. It’s time to stop while I’m still in an upright position.”
“So, Worthington? What has you so upset?”
Trey shrugged, walked to his brown leather chair and sat. “What makes you think I’m upset?”
“You have been out of sorts for a few days. Now I see you drinking before the evening meal.” Nic shook his head. “That’s not like you.” He sat on the sofa and crossed one leg over the other. “Tell me. Why has Miss Faraday set you on edge?”
Chuckling, Trey massaged his forehead. “Why do you suspect Miss Faraday?”
“You have not been the same since we met her at the woodsman’s cottage.”
