She turned down the hallway and headed toward the study. Trey’s heated voice echoed in the corridor, overriding her soft slippers clicking on the marbled floor. What had made him angry? Hopefully, not Dominic.
As she reached the door, which was cracked open slightly, she slowed her steps. She couldn’t see through the space into the room, but both Trey and Dominic’s voice rose in volume.
“I will not do it,” Trey shouted. “That poor woman has been through enough already. I’m not going to distress her unnecessarily.”
“If she does not hear it from you first, she will be put out,” Hawthorne answered.
Trey growled. “Don’t you think I know this?”
“When will Mr. Lewis be in touch with you? When will he know for certain?”
“I don’t know.”
Judith’s heart sank. Were they talking about her? About Alex? They’d have to be since they mentioned Mr. Lewis’ name. So what was it that Trey didn’t want to tell her?
She shouldn’t eavesdrop but couldn’t help it. The need to know overrode anything she’d been taught about manners. As she leaned toward the door, she bumped it with her shoulder and it squeaked open.
Cursing under her breath, she quickly straightened. Trey stood by the window, facing the door, and Dominic who’d been sitting on the leather sofa, jumped to his feet. Neither man appeared pleased to see her.
She smiled her best and walked in. “Good evening gentlemen. I hope I didn’t disrupt anything important.”
Dominic jerked his attention to Trey and scowled but said nothing.
Trey walked toward her, his grin stretching. His smile wasn’t real because there was no light in his eyes, which confirmed to Judith the conversation she’d overheard was indeed about her.
“My dear Judith.” Trey took her hands and kissed her on the cheek. “How was your day with Mother?”
“Very enlightening.” She chuckled. “We accomplished a lot.”
“Splendid.” He lifted her hands to his mouth and kissed her knuckles.
“Trey? Forgive me for asking, but were you and Dominic just talking about me? Or more importantly, about Mr. Cutler?”
Trey’s body stiffened and his eyes widened. Behind him, Dominic hitched a breath, the sound spilling through the room.
“Now, my dear,” Trey said as he pulled her into his arms. “You needn’t worry your lovely head about what is going on.”
“Is it about Alex getting arrested? Did your solicitor find him and arrest him?”
“Shhh…” Trey placed his finger on her lips. “It’s like I told you, there’s no need to worry.”
Arching her eyebrow, she cocked her head. “Trey, you are purposely putting me off. I want you to tell me.”
Dominic cleared his throat and moved past them toward the door. “If you will both excuse me, I shall leave now.”
“Hawthorne, don’t go far,” Trey said, still holding Judith’s gaze. “We still have things to discuss.”
“As you wish.” As Dominic left he mumbled something she couldn’t quite understand, and closed the door behind him.
Trey’s arms tightened around her, bringing her closer to his body. “Alone at last.”
“Please stop, Trey. I want to know what is going on. I heard your raised voice from down the hall. I know something is upsetting you.”
He kissed her nose, then her cheek, and moved to her lips, but she pulled away before he could do anymore. She knew Trey well. He was trying to distract her. She wouldn’t let him win this time. “I mean it, Trey. I want answers.”
He sighed heavily. “Yes, the conversation Hawthorne and I were having was about Mr. Cutler.”
“Did Mr. Lewis find him?”
