Instead of wearing his riding clothes, he looked as if he’d just come from a social gathering of the aristocrats. His long tailed velvet blue over-jacket matched well with the topaz stitches on his satin vest. Deep velvet trousers complimented his attire.
“The dowager told me you were in here. I hope you don’t mind a visitor.”
She set her sampler aside and stood, reaching her hands out to his. “I would love a visitor, especially you.”
He chuckled and walked toward her. When he grasped her hands, he pulled her close for an embrace. Surprised, she sucked in a quick breath, but the warmth from his body blended into hers and comforted her. He’d never been this close to her, yet right now was when she needed him the most.
Burying her face against his chest, tears filled her eyes and emotion clogged her throat. Oh, she needed this comfort. Needed it badly.
Dominic withdrew and looked down at her with wide eyes. “What’s this? Tears? Did you miss me that much?”
She laughed softly. “I have missed you, but only because I have needed a friend.”
He ran the pad of his thumb across her cheek, catching a tear. “Shall we sit? I fear this might take a while.”
“It will.” She smiled and took his hand, pulling him to the couch. Once they were both sitting side by side, she took a deep breath. “Much has happened during your absence.”
His gaze wandered over her as confusion creased his forehead. “I had gathered as much. You look as if you are already married to Mr. Pratt.” He shook his head. “Those colors on you practically make you look ill.”
She nodded. “I have been discouraging suitors, and this is the way to accomplish it. I tried to do as you had suggested a while ago by trying to make Trey jealous. Instead, I made him upset. He knows I’m in love with him.”
“You told him?”
“I didn’t say the words, but I didn’t have to. He knows.”
“And?”
“As you probably expected, he tried to dissuade me. On the ride home from Viscountess Newby’s dinner party, Trey brought up the subject of his brother and how Tristan had given his heart to a woman, which was the reason he died. I convinced him to tell me about what really happened and why he feels this way.”
Dominic’s eyes widened. “And he did?”
“Yes.”
He clasped her hands. “This is wonderful. He trusts you enough to confide in you. Don’t you see? He’s never done this before.”
“No, Dominic. It does not matter.”
“How could it not matter? Trey opened up to you and told you things he has never told his mother. Does that not show you how much he loves you?”
A sob rose to her throat and she swallowed it down. “It didn’t work that way. He may trust me, but he’s not going to give me his heart. He told me that.” She shook her head. “I don’t knowhow to convince him otherwise. I have no desire to give up, but I don’t want to love him if he cannot love me in return.”
“Oh, my dear Judith.” He cupped her face. “I promise your love will win him. Don’t give up. Eventually he will see how loving you is the best thing in the world.”
Biting her bottom lip, she took deep breaths, trying not to cry again. “Why don’t I feel the same? You didn’t see him that night. You didn’t see the agony in his eyes and especially in his voice.”
He nodded. “I talked to him days after Tristan died, and yes, I did see the guilt and the pain he went through. He built a wall around his heart, and it’s going to take a very special woman to break it down, but it’s not going to happen quickly.”
“I’m not strong. I cannot love him if he will not return my affection.” She sniffed. “I fear I’m not that woman he needs to melt his heart.”
“That’s not true. I know you are. I have known Trey for many years, and you are the first woman he’s ever acted this way with. The other women who have come into his life leave quickly. He didn’t care for them. He has never cared for them. He’s never been jealous of other men, either.” He winked. “Trey is a jealous man when it comes to you. I saw the envy on his face while he watched you dance with others at your coming out ball. I stood beside him as he admired you descending the stairs that evening. The man was speechless. He couldn’t stop staring like a wide-mouth bass.”
She smiled, although her heart wrenched with emotion. How she wanted Dominic’s words to be true. “So how do I tear down the wall he has around his heart if he will not let me near?”
Chuckling he stroked her ear. “I thought I had that worked out, but apparently, it was not doing what I’d hoped. Perhaps I shall have to think more on this.”
She rested her hand on his chest. “Do you know where he is now? He’s gone most of the day and does not return until late.”
“He’s been at his office in Town. I have visited him a few times there just this week, in fact.”
