His hands brushed down her arms and sent trickles of warmth through her body. As his fingers retraced the path, she closed her eyes and tilted her head back in silent encouragement. But heavy footsteps on the bricked pathway jerked her to awareness.
“There you are.” Dominic stopped beside her.
Trey withdrew his touch so quickly she wondered if she imagined his fingers igniting a fire inside her.
“Yes, here we are,” Trey answered. “Is there something amiss, Hawthorne?”
Judith collected her composure and faced Nic, forcing herself to smile, even though she wanted to scold him for the interruption. “I hope I didn’t worry you, my lord.”
Nic took her hand and patted it. “On the contrary. I had suspected you were searching for Worthington. However, the dowager is looking for you both. It seems some of the guests are about to depart.”
“Oh, dear,” she replied. “I cannot believe I forgot my hostess duties. I need to get back.”
“Indeed, that’s the proper decorum.” Nic offered her his elbow. “Shall I escort you, my dear?”
Nibbling on her bottom lip, she switched her attention briefly to Trey. His creased forehead and drawn brows presented his jealousy.
Almost as a reflex reaction, her heart melted. “My lord, please come in and join the party. I think the fresh air has cleared your head enough, do you not agree?”
He arched a brow and the corner of his mouth lifted. “Indeed it has, my sweet.” He looked at Nic. “Hawthorne, lead the way, my good man.”
Judith kept her hand on Nic’s elbow, but it was Trey’s body she felt as he walked on the other side of her. The occasional brush of his arm made her heart skip and her skin burn. She knew he did this on purpose, since he’d admitted earlier of his jealousy.
Tomorrow, she’d ask Trey if he had heard any word from his solicitor about Alex. If the solicitor hadn’t found anything, she’d take it into her own hands. One way or the other, she had to find the truth about the man who promised to marry her then left without a trace.
Staying at the Worthington estate was not good for her mental—or physical—state. It was time she stopped letting others make her decisions for her and take control once again.
Chapter Twenty-Two
Judith smoothed herhands down the cream colored day dress she’d donned that morning, hoping her moist palms wouldn’t mark the material. She stood in front of the door to Trey’s study, the very room he’d been in since before breakfast. No voices were heard on the other side of the thick door, but his fascinating scent of spice and leather wafted around her, reminding her how his very aroma could make her an emotional mess.
Last night had ended terribly, especially after the guests left. The dinner party itself had turned out splendid, but Judith was anxious to talk to Trey, yet somehow he’d disappeared once the last guest departed. After that, the dowager kept Judith busy so she couldn’t search him out before retiring for bed.
However, this was a new day, and she felt like a new woman. No longer would she allow herself to melt when he was near. She wasn’t going to waste her time longing for a man who couldn’t commit to a marriage.
Swallowing hard, she raised her hand to knock, but quick footsteps down the hall made her hesitate.
“Miss Faraday?” the butler called.
She dropped her hand and turned toward the servant. “Yes?”
“You have a visitor in the drawing room.”
“A visitor?” She lifted an eyebrow. “Pray, who could be calling upon me this early in the morning?”
“Lord Hawthorne, Miss.”
Dominic? What is he doing here? Could something dreadful be wrong?“Thank you. I shall not keep him waiting a moment longer.”
She hurried down the hallway to the drawing room, curious to see what could bring the marquess to visit her this early in the day. When she entered, Dominic sat on the sofa sipping a cup of tea. His gaze lifted to her mere seconds before he set the cup on the side tray and rose.
“Good morning, Miss Faraday.” He grinned and bowed.
“A good day to you, Lord Hawthorne.” She curtsied then swept her gaze over his attire, black riding boots, black breeches and a double-breasted brown riding over-jacket. “What are you about this early in the morning?”
“I thought to invite you to go riding with me.”
She blinked with wide eyes. “Withyou, my lord?”
