“Trey, my dear,” the dowager cut in. “I believe you can put off business for one day.”
Judith leaned forward and touched his arm. When Trey’s eyes met hers, his body seemed to relax from the stiff position he’d been in only moments ago. “Please,” she said softly.
A slow smile stretched across his face. “How am I to resist two stubborn women?” He chuckled. “All right then. I shall come along.”
Judith pulled away, pleased with his reaction. Perhaps it wouldn’t be so difficult convincing him he was in love with her. She could only pray it happened quickly.
“I’m quite certain we will have many more calls from your young gentlemen friends, my dear. You will want to look your best.” The dowager grinned.
“Of course,” Judith said softly, not really wanting to impress anyone except Trey.
Isabelle patted her hands. “And if I were a betting person, I would say you will have at least a dozen marriage proposals within two weeks.”
Judith’s chest tightened. “So many? That soon?”
“Why of course.”
“Whatever shall I do with so many proposals?” She sighed heavily and looked at Trey, who all of a sudden fidgeted in his chair.
The dowager chuckled. “Oh, dear Judith. You will have to make a choice which man you want to marry.”
Frowning, she glanced at the duchess. “But what if none of them suit me?”
“No need to fret. Trey and I will be here to assist.” Isabelle turned her head and looked at her son. “Is that not correct?”
“Yes, Mother. We will be here for support,” he bit out his words.
Judith studied him closely. His irritation was obvious.
The dowager returned her attention to Judith. “It’s not good to be too choosey, though. You will want to find the man who suits you the best, to be sure, but don’t find fault with them just to pass them over. Do you understand?”
“I suppose.”
Annoyance grew inside Judith. Why wasn’t Trey arguing? Why was he siding with what his mother said? Judith knew he loved her, so why was he so eager to give her hand to the first available man? Beneath the folds of her dress, she fisted her hands. It didn’t matter. She would not choose a husband unless it was Trey.
Bentley walked into the room and bowed. “Your Grace, Miss Faraday has a visitor.”
Judith sucked in her breath and swung her gaze from the butler to Trey and the dowager. Hadn’t Isabelle instructed Bentley that Judith would be resting today?
“Who is it, Bentley?” Trey barked as he stood, arms crossed over his chest.
“My lord, it’s Lord Hawthorne. He assured me Miss Faraday would want to see him.”
The dowager motioned her hand. “Allow him in, Bentley. He can take tea with us.”
Within a few minutes, Dominic made his appearance, his hat tucked under his arm and looking like he did whenever he took Judith riding. She grinned. Had he come to take her riding again? Whether he knew it or not, it was perfect timing. If she had to stay another moment in Trey’s presence—especially with him set on finding her a husband—she’d be surely tempted to give him a good pounding whether it was lady-like or not. Dominic just may have saved the day.
Lord Hawthorne bowed. “Good day, Your Grace. I hope I’m not interrupting anything.”
Isabelle smiled. “Of course not, my lord. You are always welcomed here.” She motioned to the empty chair beside her. “Would you like to take tea with us?”
“Actually, Your Grace, I was in hopes that Miss Faraday would agree to ride with me. We have made it a habit of late to take a ride in the morning. Although it’s afternoon, I would still enjoy a jaunt around the estate.”
Judith’s heart lightened. She couldn’t wait to get out of this room.
Trey remained standing and folded his arms across his chest. “Hawthorne, don’t you think Miss Faraday requires rest after her eventful evening that kept her up most of the night?”
Once again, Trey’s double meaning caused heat to rise to Judith’s cheeks. Where was her fan when she needed it?
