Her heart clenched. “Tell me, my lord, why would Trey continue to lead such a life of ill-repute when his father did, making them a topic of gossip within the best circles?”
“Trey has always been told he’s like his father. Perhaps Trey feels it cannot be helped. At least he’s not causing scandal like he did in his younger years.”
Judith urged her horse forward in a slow walk, Dominic keeping up beside her. Many questions still swam in her head, but her heavy heart couldn’t stop feeling sorrow for the boy Trey once was and the man he was today.
“Can you tell me something else, my lord?”
“What?”
She glanced at Nic. “Will Trey ever change?”
“How do you mean?”
“Will he ever want to settle down and find a good woman to marry, and stay faithful to?”
Dominic shrugged. “I want to believe all of us rakes will eventually find a woman to marry and to have heirs.” He grinned. “As for Trey, I cannot be certain. I think deep in his heart, he does not want to end up like his father. I believe Trey longs to find the woman who will change him.”
“He would certainly have a miserable life if he continues to live like he’s doing now.”
“Many women have tried to change Trey.”
She arched her brows. “Indeed?”
“Oh yes, but they are going about it the wrong way.”
Chuckling, she shook her head. “My lord, is there arightway?”
“Every man is different, mind you, but Trey needs a woman who will get to know him and love him for himself. She also needs to be patient and give him the time to fall in love.” Dominic ran his fingers through his hair as he adjusted himself on the saddle. “Most women want to trap Trey quickly without going through the other steps.”
She shook her head. “I think, my lord, you are the romantic one out of the two. Trey told me once that loving someone was foolish.”
“I suppose it can be, but only if you fall in love with the wrong person.”
“And pray, who is the wrong kind of woman?”
“I believe Trey has met many women who are like the kind his father visited frequently. Trey does not want someone who falls easily into another man’s arms.”
“Most women do not want a man who falls easily into another woman’s arms, either.”
“Exactly.” He winked. “Although Trey may not realize it yet, he’s hoping to find a woman he can trust, not only with his name, but with his heart. When he finally falls in love, it will be forever.”
Emotion squeezed her chest and tears burned her eyes. Quickly, before Dominic could see, she pushed her horse faster. She couldn’t explain to him about her tears. Too many times over the past few days she had hoped for a way into Trey’s heart. Although she still questioned her feelings for him, she yearned for his nearness.
Trey was so different from Alex, and it surprised her to think she could have such feelings. She had thought Alex was the kind of man who’d make the perfect husband and father. Trey wasfar from that, yet he would certainly know how to kiss her to oblivion, making her think of nothing else.
Regretfully, putting him out of her head was the best thing—and finding answers about Alex was the second best.
Chapter Twenty-Three
By the endof the day, Judith was ready to strangle someone. Mainly Trey. He had managed to disappear from the estate, even though the servants admitted they saw him earlier. If Judith didn’t know better, she would think he was purposely hiding from her. She needed answers about Alex. And now. She would go insane if she had to wait another day.
After the evening meal where Trey was suspiciously absent, she excused herself and told the dowager she had a terrific headache. When Judith reached her room and closed the door behind her, she marched to her vanity table. Slumping on her stool, she stared at herself in the mirror and pulled out the pins holding the knot at the back of her head. She picked up the brush and punished her locks by yanking the bristles through each curl. Soon her ringlets were gone and thick hair fell over her shoulders and down her back.
She wasn’t ready to retire to bed. Her mind wouldn’t let her rest. The only way she would be able to set her jumbled thoughts in order was to deal with Trey. Even if she had to become a bloodhound to do it, she’d search this house from one side to the other until she found the rotten coward. What other word could she call him besides coward? Obviously, he didn’t want to confront her for some unknown reason, which was why he hid.
She pushed away from the vanity and hurried out of her room. The hallway was quiet, as were the rooms below. The dowager must have gone to bed early, as well.
Judith first tried the study. She knocked, waited a few seconds then opened the door slowly. A strong cigar scent hung thick in the air, combined with ale. She waved her hand in front of her nose. Had he been here holed up all day? From the smell, it would seem he had.
