“I know what an excellent horsewoman you are, and I would love some company during my ride.”
A chuckle escaped her before she could stop it. “Surely you jest.”
“No, Miss Faraday. I would enjoy your company, if you don’t mind.”
His gray eyes sparkled with mischief. That’s the only word she could think of to describe them. He didn’t appear to be a man bent on wooing a lady. So what was his purpose? There was only one way to find out.
She shrugged. “If you will give me a few minutes, my lord, I will change into my riding clothes.”
“Take all the time you need.”
As she hurried to her bedroom, questions swam through her head. Why was he really here? He didn’t want to court her, did he? Dominic would indeed make a fine husband as long as the right woman could reform him. Judith wasn’t that woman.Although Dominic was charming, handsome, and wealthy, she didn’t have any feelings for him but those of a friend.
It took her only forty-five minutes to change before she met him outside by the stables. He held the reins of his horse as he visited with the stable boy who held her mare. Acting the gentleman, Dominic helped her mount before he climbed on the back of his horse.
During the first few minutes, she studied him, but still didn’t feel that his main purpose here was to court her. Indeed, he acted as if he just wanted her company. She supposed it could happen that way. They were friends, after all.
As they trotted their horses side by side, she cleared her throat. She’d make use of this time alone with him. “Tell me, my lord, how did you and Trey meet?”
“Our mothers are distant cousins. However, I have never really thought of Trey as a relation, and we have always been friends.”
When Dominic talked about his childhood, his face relaxed and a twinkle lit his eyes. Indeed, she knew he thought a lot of Trey and would always defend him. It softened her heart to know Trey had a friend like this.
“Trey has always had a stubborn streak to him,” Dominic continued, “as I’m certain you well know.”
She laughed. “More than I would like.”
“I remember when we were in our nineteenth year. I thought his mother would disinherit him for good when he was seen in the company of some…shall we say, unorthodox-minded women. He was certainly causing more scandal than the dowager could handle.”
Judith tilted her head, studying Nic’s profile. The man genuinely cared about the dowager, too. “Why would Trey think that? Scandal happens all the time, especially in wealthyfamilies. I believe their money gives society more to gossip about.”
“Very true, Miss Faraday, but the dowager has had her share, and none of it was her doing.”
“Why do you say that?”
He pulled on the reins and stopped his horse. Judith halted her mare, as well.
“Have you ever met Trey’s father?”
She nodded. “Yes, when I was younger.”
“And you didn’tknowabout him?”
“I’m not certain what you are referring to, my lord.”
Dominic scrubbed his hand over his chin. “It’s quite difficult to talk about in front of a lady.” He chuckled. “If I were at the gentleman’s club, I would find this topic easier.”
“Please tell. I promise not to tell anyone you broke the rules. And I promise not to swoon from the delicate matter.”
He laughed. “But Miss Faraday, do you not remember swooning when you first met Trey and myself?”
She grumbled. “I didnotswoon in Trey’s arms. I was weak from nourishment, and combined with the news Trey had just presented me—”
Dominic held up his hand. “Yes, I know. I was just jesting with you. But to continue, I don’t believe you are the type of woman who swoons over such controversies. Besides, it’s going to be a pleasure breaking the rules with you.” He winked. “Trey’s father was a man who flaunted his mistresses everywhere he went. The dowager wasn’t ignorant about her husband’s affairs, but neither could she stop him. On several occasions, he dueled over these unfortunate women, injuring their husband or lover, and then weeks later he found another woman to shower his attention on.”
Heat surged to Judith’s face, both from embarrassment over the subject, and from anger. How could that man do such athing? Poor Isabelle for having to put up with such a man. “Oh, how terrible.”
“So you see,” Dominic continued, “the family has had its share of gossip. It was not until after Tristan died, when Trey hardened his heart to a lot of things and acted like he didn’t have a care in the world.”
