Trey cursed under his breath. Dominic noticed his change. Did that mean everyone had? “I suppose I’m anxious to get her married so I can get on with my life.”
“Have you heard from your solicitor yet?”
“Not since the other day. Hopefully, I will hear soon. That too, would ease my burden some.”
“I agree. Then you will be able to concentrate more on money matters.”
Trey lifted his brows. “Have there been any new developments in my stocks?”
Nic laughed. “Only that they keep rising.”
“Ah, very good news indeed.” He glanced at his empty hand. “If I had a drink, I would make a toast.”
“Save it for later.”
From the doorway, the butler cleared his throat. “Excuse me, my lord, but Her Grace requests your presence in the blue drawing room, along with the Marquess of Hawthorne, of course.”
Trey nodded. “We are coming.” He stood and straightened, trying to appear calmer than he felt. When he walked, he tried not to rush to the room where Judith awaited. They had only been apart for a few days. So why then did it seem like weeks?
As Trey stepped inside, he braced himself as he searched for her. Near the large hearth, Judith stood by his mother’s side looking more beautiful than any woman had a right to be.A forest green high-waist gown trimmed with gold practically clung to her, making his mouth dry. Her white elbow-gloves emphasized slim arms, the color matched the pearls around her neck and at her ears. Green ribbons wove through her chestnut hair piled on her head, very fashionable, and very alluring. He groaned. Tonight would be pure torture to be sure. Hopefully he sat far enough away from her during the meal that she wouldn’t notice him drooling.
From across the room, her gaze met his. Immediately, a sparkle lit her eyes and she graced him with a smile. His heart flipped. Now why did he have to react like that? And why were his feet taking him toward her? No! He had to stay away.
When he stopped in front of her, he lifted her hand and kissed her knuckles. “You look ravishing tonight, Miss Faraday.”
Her cheeks reddened. “And you, my lord, are devilishly handsome.”
He chuckled and kept her hand in his, gently caressing her with his fingers. Curse him, but he couldn’t let go. Beside him, Nic nudged his elbow and brought Trey out of his dreams.
“You remember the Marquess of Hawthorne?” Trey asked between clenched teeth.
“Why of course.”
She withdrew her hand and gave it to Nic, who bestowed a customary kiss on her knuckles. Jealousy ignited in Trey’s chest and made it difficult to breathe. Would he act this possessive when every man kissed her hand? Probably. Although…this was Nic. The very man who admitted he found Judith interesting. The man who wanted to court her.
The compliment Nic gave her didn’t register in Trey’s mind. He was too busy devouring her beauty to hear anything, yet he knew every time she smiled, laughed, and moved her lips. She was simply lovely, taking his breath away by the minute.
He was a besotted fool, but at this point, he didn’t care. Perhaps the liquor was working.
Time passed quickly, and soon the guests were seated for dinner. To his horror—yet greatest delight—he sat across the table from Judith. Jealousy reared its ugly head when Nic took the chair beside her. Did she do this on purpose? After all, she had previously arranged the seating chart.
Inwardly, Trey seethed. During the meal, he had to watch as his best friend made Judith laugh. Several times Nic whispered something in her ear, their heads bent too close together. It was all Trey could do not to jump across the table and separate them. Why would the marquess go against Trey’s wishes for wanting to court her? Obviously, Nic was in the beginning stages.
On a few occasions, she glanced at Trey and smiled. His heart melted from this gesture, until she started talking with Nic again. Trey gripped his glass as he lifted it to his mouth. He’d have to reprimand Nic for his bold actions toward Judith, and without Trey’s consent.
A woman to his left leaned toward him, forcing him to tear his gaze from Judith and focus on her. He hadn’t even realized Nic’s cousin, Emma, from Paris sat next to him. He smiled as politely and charmingly as he could, since deep down inside he was ready to explode with frustration.
“My lord, I have been trying to get your attention for the last few minutes.”
Awkwardly, he laughed. “Forgive me, Mrs. Pettengill. I was distracted.”
She glanced across the table at her cousin and Judith. “I see Miss Faraday has distracted most of the men tonight. She’s a very lovely woman.” She looked back at Trey. “Or is it my cousin, Nic, who has you so vexed?”
Her brows arched, one higher than the other, as she gazed into Trey’s eyes. He couldn’t fool her. Then again, he had to.It really was none of her business who held his attention this evening.
“Hawthorne is always upsetting me in one form or another.” Trey winked. “But enough about that, what have you been doing since the last time we talked? How is your painting coming along?”
He had to mentally pat himself on the back for remembering her favorite pastime. Mrs. Pettengill’s eyes lit up like stars as she talked, and he was thankful she had taken his mind off Judith.
