Breaking the kiss, she leaned her head against his as she took in deep breaths. “Trey?”
“Yes, my darling.”
She smiled. “I will make you very happy. Please believe that.”
“I know you will.” He winked. “And I will do my best to make you a good husband.”
She nodded. “I shall make sure of that, my beautiful lord.”
Chapter Forty-Two
The next morning,Judith walked down the hallway with a straight back and chin held high, trying to give the appearance of having strength. She couldn’t go another minute without talking to the dowager. Although, her nerves jumped inside her stomach and she wrung her hands, showing her weakness.
She didn’t want to disappoint Isabelle. In the last little while, the older woman had replaced her mother, if only in small measurements. Judith loved the dowager more than she realized she would when she first arrived.
Would Isabelle be distraught, wasting away in her bed, stressing over the scandal Judith and Trey had caused? If so, could she ever make things right with the older woman?
Judith reached Isabelle’s bedroom door and knocked. Her hands shook so she quickly clasped them together and held them tight against her breast. From the other side of the door, footsteps padded on the floor in hurried steps.
Finally a voice rang through the room, telling Judith to enter. When she walked inside, the curtains were closed and only a few candlesticks were lit. The dowager lay in bed, the covers pulled up and tucked underneath her arms as they rested on the blankets. Ringlets of hair spilled from underneath her frilly nightcap.
“Your Grace, I hope you forgive my intrusion, but I must speak with you. I cannot wait a moment longer.”
Isabelle glanced across to the room to her maid who was sitting in one of the cushioned chairs reading a book. “Mary? Will you leave us, please?”
“Yes, Your Grace.” The servant bobbed and hurried out of the room.
Isabelle lifted her hand and motioned. “Come closer, child so I can see you better.”
On shaky legs, Judith did as instructed until she stood next to the dowager’s bed. Taking a deep breath, she prayed for strength to say the right words. She also prayed Isabelle would forgive her and Trey.
She swallowed the lump in her throat before saying anything. “I wanted to talk to you about what happened during your birthday party. I’m extremely saddened by the turn of events. I honestly didn’t think Mr. Cutler would come.”
“Tell me about this man. Is he really your fiancé?”
Judith shrugged. “Yes, and no. Before my parents died, I started seeing him in secret. I knew they would not approve because he was not of noble birth. Although we discussed marriage, there was no legal document signed. The one he showed you the other night was false, I assure you.”
The dowager nodded. “Why did you not tell me about him when you first arrived?”
“I made an agreement with Trey. He said he would hire a solicitor to look for Mr. Cutler if I would allow you to prepare me for my coming out ball. Trey knew I was very displeased with coming to your estate. I felt I was too old for a guardian, and I certainly didn’t want to have a ball.”
“Why?”
“A month before my mother died, she had started to prepare one for me. The memories weighed heavily on my heart and I could not bear to let someone else take my mother’s place.”Tears pricked Judith’s eyes and the lump in her throat returned. Still, she fought for control over her emotions.
“I see,” the dowager said. “And how do you feel now? Do you feel you need a guardian?”
“Not really, Your Grace. I’m very grateful for everything you and Trey have done to help me in my time of need. I feel I have made friends with you over the past few weeks, and I shall never forget your generosity and kindness.”
“Did Trey ever find information about your Mr. Cutler?”
“Yes.” Judith cleared her throat. “He found out some very upsetting news, in fact. The night of my ball, after the guests were gone, Trey told me what his solicitor discovered. Apparently, Mr. Cutler had deceived a lot of people. He was not the man I thought he was.”
“Is that when Trey seduced you?”
The dowager’s voice held a sharp edge, yet the woman’s eyes almost twinkled. Judith scrunched her forehead. For some reason, Isabelle appeared almost delighted to think Trey had seduced his mother’s ward.
“Yes and no. Trey had turned on his charm way before my ball.”
