“No, I don’t believe it. Trey, you act yourself when you are around me. You can never hurt me.”
“Never say never. Neither of us knows the future. How can you say I will not hurt you? I’m too much like my father. Someday I will be unfaithful. I go through women quickly. I get restless easily, so I move on.”
She tilted her head, frowning. “Have you ever been in love with any of these women?”
“Of course not. Don’t be ridiculous.”
“Have you ever considered this is the reason you move on to your next conquest so quickly?”
He shrugged. “Perhaps. But I refuse to let any woman have my heart.” Maybe if he said it enough times, he’d believe it. The burning sensation in his chest whispered she might be correct in her guess.
“Why, Trey?” She stroked his face, then his neck. “Love is not something to run from. It’s what makes two people complete.”
The ache in his chest continued to expand to where it was impossible to breathe. Confusion swam in his head and looking into Judith’s understanding eyes was making it worse. She didn’t know what he knew about love, and he hesitated to tell her. Yet he must. There was no other way she’d know what pain stayed in his heart from the past.
He shook his head and pulled away from her tender touch. “No, Judith. You cannot understand what agony I have suffered. I know very well what love is capable of doing to people.”
“How, when you have admitted you have never been in love?”
“I have seen what it’s done to those around me.”
“Do you mean your parents?”
“Yes, them. And others.”
“But Trey, were your parents truly in love?”
He frowned. “No.”
“Then—”
“But Tristan was.”
Her eyes widened and a gasp escaped her throat. “Tristan? All of this is about your brother?”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
Sighing, he rubbed his eyes. He couldn’t talk about it. The only person he opened up with was Hawthorne. Even Trey’s mother didn’t know the truth. He couldn’t open up the grave of guilt eating at his heart.
A soft hand touched his and removed it from his face. Caring eyes stared back at him as she lowered his hand to her lap, still clutching it.
“Please tell me.”
Her heart-felt plea knocked down one of the walls of ice protecting him. Agony squeezed his chest. He’d tell her. Maybe then her ridiculous idea of wanting him for her husband would disappear. Once she knew the truth, she’d certainly find another man to please.
Chapter Thirty-Seven
To Judith’s disappointment,the coach stopped before Trey could speak another word. She pulled the cloak together and readied herself. Once the footman opened the door, Trey climbed out first then assisted her.
She held his stare as she stepped onto the ground, and although he let go of her hand, she wouldn’t let him get away. Quickly, she slipped her hand around his elbow and followed him inside the house.
The halls were quiet and dimly lit. Had the servants retired for the evening? She sincerely hoped so. She wanted more time alone with Trey, especially since he acted as if he had something very important to tell her. It must be imperative if it was keeping him from loving her.
He stopped just before they reached the stairs, and turned to face her. “Would you like to change into something more comfortable?”
“What I would like is to sit somewhere with you so you can finish telling me about Tristan.”
