More tears streamed down her face, but she wondered if he could even see them in the darkness. He’d hardened his heart, and she didn’t know how to break through. Her chest ached with agony, and helplessness flooded through her.
“You know the worst part?”
She shook her head.
“Lady Diana married Lord Hollingsworth two weeks later. Apparently, she had been betrothed to him for months, yet she still led Tristan to believe she loved him.”
“I’m…sorry.”
He held out his hand. “Come. It’s late and I need to return you to your room.”
Nodding, she stood and slipped her hand into his. As they walked back to the house in silence, her mind whirled with all the information, trying to find the right words to say. Sadly, there was nothing she could come up with.
Perhaps there was no way to break through his hardened heart. Maybe they were not meant to be together. The tightness in her chest kept her from sobbing aloud, but she was on the verge. He probably wouldn’t care anyway.
When they reached the hallway, she pushed away from him and ran to her bedroom, knowing he wouldn’t follow this time.
*
“My dear, MissFaraday. Your beauty has outshone the sun today.”
Judith forced a smile, hoping she didn’t appear like she wanted to roll her eyes and gag with distaste. The insipid fop who had called on her today was terrible with his words.
“You are much too kind, Lord James. I fear I don’t deserve such a compliment.” And truly, she didn’t. She’d heard Lord James was after a woman who he could put on display—the kind he’d be proud to have on his arm as they walked through the park. A woman to make other men jealous. He would have definitely approved of the gown she wore for Henry Pratt’s dinner social. But instead, she chose to wear drab brown, and pull her hair back so tight in a bun that her eyes nearly popped out of her head. She even draped a shawl over her shoulders, to keep any hint of skin from showing.
“Oh, but you are the um—” His gaze swept over her as panic laced his eyes and tightened his lips. “You are extremely lovely.” He pulled his shoulders back and grinned. “Would you care for a walk outside today?”
“Are you insane?” She laid on the theatrics and gasped, placing a hand on her chest. “The wind is blowing. It’s much too chilly to walk outside. I might catch my death out there.”
“Nonsense. The weather is perfect.”
Judith bundled her shawl tighter. “Not for me. I fear I get cold easily. Perhaps another time…or another season.”
“But—it will not get warmer than this since it’s mid-summer.”
Thankfully, Lord James left not long after that. She really shouldn’t have pushed him away, but she didn’t have any interest in him. Or any man.
Save for one.
The two weeks since Trey had confessed his feelings to her had passed in a blur. Every day Judith had a different suitor, and every day the men left with their shoulders sagging, pretty muchlike Lord James had done. None could make her heart pitter-patter.
Not like Trey had been able to accomplish.
Dominic has been out of town, and she missed their morning rides. She also missed talking to him. He’d be the only one to understand. Apparently, his plan to make Trey jealous enough to admit his love hadn’t worked. Now her hopes were crushed and she lingered in a foggy world without any dreams for her future.
Although Trey still resided in the dowager’s house, he was rarely around during the day. It hurt to think he didn’t want to see her, but she understood. She knew he was falling in love with her, and since this was something he didn’t want, it would be easier not to see each other constantly.
Did Isabelle know what was happening between Judith and Trey? At quiet times, Judith caught the older woman looking at her with a pained expression. Whenever Judith asked if something was wrong, the dowager smiled and shook her head. If only Judith could tell her guardian what was going on, but she didn’t dare. The dowager was unable to do anything about it, anyway.
Isabelle had been busy lately planning her own birthday ball. Judith offered to help, but the older woman refused. Although Judith wasn’t in any kind of mood to celebrate, at least it would keep her mind busy and her thoughts off of Trey. But Isabelle took over and didn’t allow Judith to do anything.
Sighing heavily, Judith rested the sewing sampler in her lap and looked out the window. Perhaps she should stop trying to thwart the dowager’s plans of finding her a husband and let her guardian pick a man. Now Judith’s life seemed dull and pointless. If she allowed herself to get to know some of these men, maybe she’d fall in love again. It would definitely take a stalwart man to make Trey disappear from her heart.
Boot steps echoed on the floor out in the hallway, and she swung her gaze toward the door. It wouldn’t be Trey. He usually didn’t return home until late, but her heartbeat still picked up rhythm in anticipation of seeing him.
Chapter Thirty-Eight
Instead, Dominic walkedinto the room. Disappointment washed over Judith, yet she was pleased to see her dear friend, nonetheless.
