“Very true. But I’m a romantic at heart. I do want the right woman to come along and sweep me into another world and make me fall in love with her and only her.”
Trey shook his head. “Who are you and what have you done with my friend?”
Nic laughed, walked to him and clapped his hand on Trey’s shoulder. “I’m here. I will always be here, and I will always be your friend. Even if it means kissing the woman you love to make you jealous enough to admit your true feelings.”
Trey chuckled and pushed Nic away. “Get out of here you awful person, and don’t come back.”
“Do you wish me to send Judith in here?”
Trey froze, yet his heart accelerated. Could he talk to her now? No, he needed more time to think about what Nic told him. Needed more time to debate whether he should take his friend’s advice or continue to live his life as he’s done so far.
He needed to choose whether he could be miserable without Judith or blissfully happy as her husband.
“No. Tell her I don’t want to see her yet. I have much to think about.” He rubbed his head. “Plus I have drunk more than I should and I don’t think I will be responsible for my actions around her.”
Nic nodded. “As you wish. But I beg of you, don’t take too long in deciding. Judith is a woman, and women are impatient when it comes to men.”
“This I know very well.” Trey smiled, and for the first time in a long time, it felt good and didn’t make him feel guilty.
Chapter Forty
Judith couldn’t concentrateon anything. Dominic had informed her of his conversation with Trey, and she cried again. What an emotional sap she’d been lately, but she couldn’t help it. She loved Trey deeply.
So far he hadn’t talked with her about his feelings, and it had been nearly five days since he had walked in on Nic kissing her. The dowager had finally allowed Judith to help with her birthday party, which kept Judith busy. But she still couldn’t wait to talk to him. Unfortunately, she had to give him more time.
Her heart lifted whenever he looked at her. Anger wasn’t embedded on his face. Instead, he smiled, and it actually reached his eyes, making them sparkle. The heavy burden of worry still rested on her chest, but every time he looked her way with a pleasant expression, it lightened her heart.
For the birthday party, Judith dressed in one of her new gowns, white muslin embroidered in white glass beads with an ivory silk square collar. Short puffy sleeves were also trimmed in ivory silk and silk cording. She wore white gloves that reached above her elbows. Her hair piled on top of her head in a knot, but she left wisps of ringlets to hang on her neck and ears.
Judith really had to put on a performance tonight. Lately, she’d been pushing suitors away, which she was certain had upset many people. Isabelle hadn’t said anything to her aboutthis behavior, but Judith knew it didn’t make the dowager look like a respectable guardian.
Once Judith was ready, she hurried downstairs, eager to see Trey. They hadn’t spoken for almost three weeks, and she feared his mood would be sour like it had been before.
He stood by his mother at the doorway of the ballroom, and when he saw her, his eyes widened along with his smile. Her heart leapt, hoping he’d missed her as much as she had him.
More handsome than she’d seen him before, he wore a charcoal overcoat with a high collar. His dark blue vest had gold stitches embroidered in the material. Charcoal gray breeches fit his legs to perfection, and reminded her once again what a muscular man he was underneath.
Trey stepped away from his mother and toward Judith. He took her white-gloved hand, lifted it to his mouth and placed a kiss on her knuckles. “You are breathtaking tonight.”
Heat flooded her cheeks and she curtsied. “May I give the same compliment to you, my lord?”
His grin widened, and the dimple in his cheek flashed at her. “You certainly may.”
“Oh, Judith,” the dowager exclaimed as she hurried to her side. “You look ravishing. Thank you for being here to help me greet my guests. I’m very grateful for you and Trey. I wish Trevor could be here as well, but he just sent a note. He’d be detained for an hour but will arrive soon afterward.” The dowager took a deep breath. “I just want everything perfect.”
“And it shall be, Mother.”
It was hard for Judith to pull her gaze away from Trey, but she did smile at the dowager. “Trey is correct. So far everything has turned out wonderfully. Happy Birthday, Your Grace.”
Isabelle patted Judith’s cheek. “Thank you, my dear.”
As she stood beside Isabelle and Trey, Judith wished they’d stop making small talk. Of course, airing their feelings in frontof the dowager wasn’t a good idea, either, but Judith wanted to know if Trey had thought about them—about her love and what she had to offer. Would he give her love a chance and trust her to make him happy?
Throughout the evening, Trey kept his gaze on her, just as she watched him. It didn’t matter if she danced with someone else, or if he stood with a group of people, she always knew where he was every minute. Sometimes she could read his expression, and it gave her encouragement. On a few occasions confusion crossed his gaze, making her heart sink. If only she could get him alone and talk to him.
After their dance was over, her partner escorted her back to the dowager, but before reaching the older woman, Trey stepped away from his group and stopped her.
“May I have this dance?”
