“He’s not…” She swallowed hard. “He’s not with his mistress, is he?”
“Oh, my dear Judith.” Dominic rubbed her cheek. “You have no need to fear. No other woman’s company can compare to yours. Trey cannot get you out of his system, therefore, any other woman will not do.”
Once again, tears welled in her eyes. This time, she couldn’t stop them from falling in buckets down her cheeks. “How I wish that were true.”
“Shh…” He pulled her against his chest.
Squeezing her eyes, she held in the sobs, but the tears continued to stream.
“Please, Judith, don’t cry.” He kissed the top of her head.
“I’m sorry.” She looked into his caring eyes. “Thank you for being here. I have kept this bottled up inside me for two weeks. I’m so pleased you are with me now.”
He gave her a soft smile. “I’m your friend, am I not?”
“Yes.”
“Then I will always be here.”
He kissed her forehead again, but this time his lips lingered a little longer on her skin. When he pulled away and looked at her again, the color of his eyes was darker. She hitched a breath. Oh no. He couldn’t possibly be considering what she thought.
Dominic’s gaze dropped to her mouth, his smile relaxing. Her heartbeat quickened. He wouldn’t try to kiss her. Not here. Not at a time like this when he just said he was her friend.
Or would he?
He stroked his thumb across her mouth, making her lips part. Lowering his head, he moved closer. She stiffened and her mind turned blank until he pressed his mouth to hers in a soft kiss. Tenderly, he brushed his lips across hers while his handsbracketed her face. He pecked lightly as if encouraging her to participate.
What could he possibly be thinking? He’d just told her how she shouldn’t give up on Trey; that she was the woman who would break through to his heart. Dominic loved Trey, so why was he taking liberties with her?
“Excuse me for interrupting.” Trey’s voice boomed from the doorway.
Judith jumped. She pushed away from Dominic and clutched her throat, focusing on Trey. Strength sapped from her limbs. Even the words in her mind wouldn’t form on her tongue. All she could do was stare, and wish she could hide in a hole.
Chapter Thirty-Nine
Inwardly, Judith died.Why did Trey have to choose this time to come home early, especially when he hadn’t done so in two weeks?
Casually, Dominic stood and adjusted his waistcoat. “Trey. What a surprise to see you this fine afternoon.”
Her heartbeat thudded in a crazy rhythm as she watched Trey. Anger lines creased his forehead and around his mouth, and his beautiful blue eyes were dulled with pain. Slowly, her heart broke, piece by agonizing piece.
Trey lifted his chin. “I’m quite certain it is a surprise, Hawthorne.” His gaze briefly touched Judith before he glared at Dominic. “Tell me, what are your intentions toward my mother’s ward?”
Straightening, Dominic clasped his hands behind his back. “Purely honorable, if you must know.”
“Of course I must know. You were caught kissing her, you jackanapes.”
She stepped forward and reached out to Trey. “It’s not what you think—”
“Judith, my dear,” Dominic interrupted. “Let me take care of this.”
Oh, no! This wasn’t good at all. Trey would never forgive her. She had to make him understand she didn’t encourage Dominic’s kiss. For some reason, she doubted Trey wouldbelieve her. Emptiness consumed her chest and she couldn’t breathe.
“Hawthorne,” Trey barked. “All I want to know is if you are going to make your intentions known. You had mentioned a while back how you wished to court her, and I clearly discouraged your request. Now I see you have gone against my word.” He folded his arms across his chest. “What are your plans with Miss Faraday? Are you going to lead her to believe she will be the next Lady Hawthorne like you do to most women?”
Dominic glared. “That was uncalled for. You know Judith is different from those other women.”
She wrung her hands against her middle. Dominic wanted to make Trey jealous in hopes he would realize his love for her. Should they continue with the ruse? If Trey’s reactions were not as Dominic had planned, would the man she loved be lost to her forever?
