Within minutes, Trey walked out of the room with his mother on his arm. The older woman sagged weakly against her son as they made their way to the front door. Judith ran to her side, holding her other arm as she and Trey helped Isabelle outside and to the coach.
Once everyone sat inside the vehicle, Isabelle slumped against Trey and closed her eyes. Judith gasped and reached forthe older woman. Trey shook his head and patted his mother’s hands as he met Judith’s gaze.
“Do not fret, my sweet,” he said softly. “She’s going to be all right.”
Nodding, Judith sat back, clasped her hands in her lap and looked out the window. Hopefully, they’d make it to his townhouse or somewhere soon. She was out of sorts, and she didn’t enjoy this confused feeling.
“Judith?”
Her heart beat faster. Now was not the time to talk to Trey. “Yes,” she answered without looking at him.
“What happened this afternoon? What wore Mother out?”
She shrugged and focused on her fingers. “I have not a clue. She was fine, I thought, until after we partook of tea and crumpets. Then she felt ill and nearly lost consciousness a couple of times.” Judith breathed slower, hoping to calm her anger. “I’m relieved you arrived when you did. I didn’t know what to do.”
Silence lasted only a few minutes before Trey cleared his throat. “Judith, look at me.”
Taking a deep breath for courage, she lifted her gaze. His frown tugged at her heart, and she scolded herself for caring.
“I know why you are upset.” His voice was low, probably for his mother’s sake. “Mother was mistaken. I don’t have a mistress.”
Confusion filled her head even more, especially when her heart leapt with excitement. Why was she so willing to believe? Was it because all rogues had mistresses? Or was it because she’d once trusted Alex and was greatly deceived?
She pulled her shoulders back and lifted her chin. “How very decent of you, my lord. I’m quite certain your confession will ease your mother’s worries.”
The corner of his mouth lifted. “And what of yours?”
She shrugged. “I don’t have them any longer.”
“You are not a very good liar, Judith.”
She arched an eyebrow. “Neither are you.”
“Are you saying you don’t believe me?”
“I’m saying I will believe whatever I may, but I cannot take anyone’s word any longer. I have been burned by doing that, or have you forgotten?”
He shook his head. “I have not. But why don’t you believe me?”
Oh, how she wanted to, so much her chest ached. “If you please, I would rather not talk about this now.” She turned her gaze to the window again.
The clip-clop of the horses’ hooves and the rattle of the coach filled the silence. Just as the vehicle came to a stop, Trey touched Judith’s knee, and she looked at him.
“We will finish this conversation today. I assure you.”
She gulped. Was that something she wanted? Although she desperately needed to hear the truth, she knew how Trey’s charming conversations progressed with her ending in his arms while he kissed her passionately. And heaven help her if she wasn’t looking forward to it.
*
Trey splashed wateron his face, hoping to relieve the tension of the trying day he’d had. The physician had checked his mother, telling Trey she just needed rest and would be back to herself in a few days. Now that one worry was out of the way, he needed to reassure Judith he had not kept a mistress since before she came to stay with his mother.
Before leaving his bedroom to find Judith, he removed his cravat and waistcoat, feeling more relaxed without them. A grintugged at his mouth when he remembered the time he talked to Judith wearing a towel. Now that had been very enjoyable.
He hurried downstairs to the drawing room, hoping that’s where Judith waited for him. When he entered, he immediately noticed her sitting behind the harpsichord, lightly stroking the keys as if she wanted to play.
He stopped inside the room, softly closing the door so she wouldn’t hear. Leaning against the barrier, he folded his arms and grinned. “Please play something for me.”
She jumped and spun around, her eyes wide and mouth agape. “What?”
