A flute of champagne was pressed into her hand, and she quickly took a long sip, moistening her parched throat. All around her people chatted about mundane things that made herwant to scream. If she had to dance with every one for the rest of the evening just to get away from these people, then she would, the whole time praying the evening would end.
Now, where was the gentleman who was supposed to be her dance partner? Didn’t he deliver her drink? But the man had conspicuously disappeared.
A warm hand cradled her elbow. Anger shot through her. Why, the nerve of that man who had touched her! Trying to hold her temper, she swung to scold the person responsible, and came face to face with Trey. He smiled, his blue eyes nearly melted her.
“Miss Faraday? May I have the honor of escorting you for the next dance?”
As the string quartet started the waltz, her heart skipped a beat. Finally, a moment she could enjoy. “Yes, of course, my lord.”
He took her gloved hand in his as he led her to the middle of the floor, his gaze holding hers the whole time. Once she settled in his arms and their feet moved to the hum of the stringed instruments, she breathed a sigh of relief and smiled.
“By the sparkle in your eyes, I’m assuming you are enjoying yourself, my sweet.”
I am now.“Actually, the sparkle in my eyes is probably due to the many glasses of champagne I have had tonight.”
He laughed.
“But truthfully, I am enjoying myself. I have met some very fascinating people.”
He arched a brow. “Have you taken a liking to any of them?”
“No. Am I supposed to?”
“I just wondered if anyone has caught your eye.” He shrugged.
“My lord, I’m not looking for anyone to catch my eye.” She tilted her head. “If you remember correctly, I’m still waiting for your solicitor to give us more information about Alex.”
A flicker of panic crossed his expression before he lifted his chin, his body growing stiff. “Don’t you believe what Mr. Lewis has discovered already?”
“That Alex is not in the Royal Navy?” She shook her head. “I want more proof before I condemn the man to hang, my lord. Until then, I shall continue to believe there’s a simple explanation for all of this.” She said the words, but deep inside it was harder to convince herself. Trey mustn’t see her doubt. “However, my lord, I do believe you know more than you’re telling.”
His eyes widened. “Indeed? How pray, did you come to that conclusion?”
“Women’s intuition.”
He chuckled, and the deep timbre of his voice made her heart pitter-patter faster. Blast it, he always had this effect on her.
“Besides that,” she continued, “I witnessed the exchange of knowing glances between you and Lord Hawthorne this morning after your business partner left.”
Trey stumbled in his step but quickly corrected. She almost smiled with victory. He couldn’t lie to her now.
“Knowing glances, my sweet? What are you referring to?”
“Oh, don’t play coy with me. I believe your business partner was Mr. Lewis himself. Even your mother mentioned his name earlier this afternoon, and I know you talked to him.” Her heart twisted in confusion and she frowned. “Please, Trey. Tell me what he said.”
“Now, now, my lovely.” He squeezed her hand. “I will not do anything to ruin your ball. My mother would have my head on a platter if I did anything of the sort.”
Judith’s chest grew heavy. “So you heard more bad news?”
“My dear,” he said softly, “please stop this nonsense. We cannot have the most beautiful woman in the room frowning, now can we?”
She shrugged. “How should I know? Who, pray, is the most beautiful woman in the room? I shall promise not to make her frown.”
Trey chuckled, his eyes twinkling again. “You know very well who I’m referring to.” His fingers caressed her hand. “And I shall repeat what I told you earlier. You take my breath away. Indeed, I have never seen a more handsome woman than the one I’m dancing with now.”
Judith wanted to smile from his compliment, really she did, but she wished he’d tell her the truth. Before another word was spoken, the music ended. Quickly, she stepped closer to him and whispered in his ear, “Youwilltell me what Mr. Lewis said. I shall pester you until you do.”
When she pulled away, his smile stretched wide across his face. He lifted her hand to his mouth and kissed her knuckles. “I look forward to it, my sweet.” He winked, hooked her arm over his arm and walked her back to the flock of men he’d rescued her from earlier.
