Page 18 of Her Sweetest Rogue (The Worthington Legacy #6)

T rey stopped and glared at his friend, balling his hands into fists behind his back. Anger and confusion poured through him and he wanted to take his friend by the cravat and shake him. Trey shoved his fists into his pockets. “Miss Faraday? You think you have feelings for Judith?”

Nic tossed him an indifferent glance before resuming his stroll. “I said I might be interested in courting her. The night of her mock dinner party, she kept me thoroughly entertained. She has a quick wit, that’s for certain.”

“Indeed, she does, and whether you know it or not, she was trying to make a fool out of me in the process.”

Hawthorne laughed again. “Exactly. That’s what I found very entertaining about her.”

Growling, Trey marched ahead and into the pub in front of Nic. They walked to a table and sat. Trey needed a strong drink quickly to drown out the frustration flowing through him. Within seconds a barmaid stood by their side with two cups of ale in her hands, placing them on the table. Once she was gone, Trey wanted to change the subject, because discussing Dominic courting Judith was definitely out of the question.

“Worthington? What ails you? Don’t you think Judith is a breath of fresh air? From what I have observed about her thus far, she’s unlike any woman I have ever met.”

The anger level in Trey kicked up a notch. He did not want to discuss this. Yet, he couldn’t make a scene. Nic might get the wrong impression about his feelings.

Trey paused in thought. What exactly were his feelings for Judith? True, she tempted him as no other woman had done before, but perhaps it was because she was forbidden? Her kisses ignited a fire deep inside him he’d never experienced.

“I have to admit, Miss Faraday is certainly different. She has me confused most of the time,” Trey mumbled.

“Confused about what?” Nic leaned forward and wrapped his fingers around the cup, but didn’t drink.

Staring at his ale, Trey tried to think of an intelligent answer. He didn’t want Nic to know Judith made him insane with desire. His friend knew there hadn’t been a woman to accomplish this. It was hard enough for Trey to admit it now. “I’m confused about what kind of woman she is. She says her parents have schooled her, yet sometimes she says or does something that contradicts her words. I want to find the best husband for her, but heaven help me, I don’t know how to go about looking because just when I think I have her figured out, she changes. She’s a wild-cat one minute and a sweet, purring kitten the next.”

Nic finally sipped his drink. “Have you heard anything from your solicitor?”

“Oh, yes.” Trey quickly dismissed the doubt sneaking into his mind about Judith and told Nic the exciting news.

Hawthorne’s eyes widened. “Cutler is impersonating a lieutenant?”

“Indeed, which means the Royal Navy is also looking for him.”

“Well, that’s one black mark against him. Is that all?”

“For now.” Trey took another gulp of his ale. “Apparently, Mr. Cutler is hiding from someone or something, because all the leads given to my solicitor come up dead.”

“Interesting. Does make me wonder what else the man is trying to hide.”

“Indeed, it does. I can only speculate, and it’s not good.”

“How do you think Miss Faraday is going to take this?” Nic asked.

Little by little, excitement built in Trey’s chest, and the fantasy he’d imagined earlier resurfaced. He knew she’d be devastated, but he also planned to give comfort in any way he could.

Nic shook his head. “I think she will not be very thrilled about the news. Perhaps I should be the one to tell her.”

Once again, jealous anger shot through Trey. Instead of lashing out physically, he clutched his cup in a death-like grip, holding in his disgruntled thoughts. No! Nic was not going to comfort her. Trey knew what comfort his friend had in mind. Very similar to the kind Trey wanted to give. His friend wouldn’t be allowed such privileges.

“Actually, Hawthorne,” Trey mumbled between clenched teeth, “I was not going to tell her just yet, but wait until I have the whole sordid story of her dear fiancé first.”

“Excellent idea.” Nic raised his drink in a salute before gulping the rest down in one swallow. He set the empty cup on the table then relaxed back in his chair. “So Worthington, when do you suggest I call upon Miss Faraday?”

Trey had lifted his drink to his lips and sipped when Nic’s question came out. Trey choked on the burning liquid as it stung his eyes and nose. “You cannot be serious. You really intend to court Judith?”

His friend shrugged. “Like I mentioned before, I think she will be quite entertaining. She has so much passion in her when she’s vexed with you, I cannot help but imagine how much passion she would have if the right man were to take her in his arms and shower her with affection.”

Trey seethed until his lungs blazed with heavy breaths. He wouldn’t allow Nic to court Judith. His friend couldn’t know how correct he was in assuming the depths of passion lurking inside the woman. Perhaps the way to deal with this situation would be to ignore Nic’s request. Clearly, the Marquess of Hawthorne was the wrong man for Judith.

Slowly, the anger inside Trey diminished. That’s what he’d do. Hopefully, Judith would listen to his advice without argument. Although, he sure enjoyed arguing with her and seeing the light in her eyes sparkle.

“Well, certainly you have to wait until her coming out ball. But as I said before, Hawthorne, I think you should wait until after she learns about Mr. Cutler.” Trey threw his money on the table before pushing away and standing. “I hope you don’t mind, but I must get back to business matters. I told Mother I would only be gone for a few days, which does not leave me that long to put everything in order.”

“I understand.” Nic stood and he, too, put down money for the barmaid.

As the two men made their way outside, Trey ran head-on into a strapping man who came through the door. Preparing to apologize, Trey looked up into a set of familiar eyes. Before he had a chance to collect his thoughts, the man arched a brow, giving Trey that big brother demeaning glare.

“What is this I hear about you and my ward?” Trevor demanded in a deep, booming voice that nearly rattled the windows on the building.

Trey narrowed his eyes toward his big brother. What had his older brother heard now? Nobody could possibly know how Trey thought of nothing but Judith.

Or could they?

He forced himself to smile at Trevor and clapped him on the back. “Trevor. What a surprise to see you in town.”

His brother’s eyes darkened as he narrowed his gaze on Trey. “I’m quite certain it is a surprise.”

“Would you like to walk with me as I head back to my office? I fear I cannot chat long since my business ventures are waiting.”

Trevor nodded. “Certainly.”

Nic cleared his throat and stepped ahead of them. “If you will excuse me, I shall leave you two alone to catch up on old times.” He bowed slightly to Trevor. “Your Grace, it’s a delight to see you again.”

“As it is you, Hawthorne.” Trevor smiled as Nic walked out the door.

With Trey’s heartbeat knocking against his ribs, he led his brother outside in the direction of his office. What did his older sibling know about Trey’s feelings toward Judith? And worse, how many others knew it, too? Could rumors about him and Judith be circling London without his knowledge?

He glanced at his older brother. Straight back, chin erect, clutching the walking stick and looking as much like a duke than Trey had ever seen. Still, there was something in his brother’s eyes that made him suspicious. The way Trevor’s mouth sloped into a frown hinted of a deep sadness. Perhaps Trey’s mother had been correct when she said Trevor was not able to handle a ward at this particular time.

“Are you going to answer my question, Trey?”

Trey grimaced, not liking the sharp tone of Trevor’s voice. Before Trey answered his brother, he needed to discover what Trevor knew. “Of course I will answer your question. So you have heard something about Miss Faraday? What would you like me to tell you, Trevor?”

Trevor’s glare pierced through Trey. “Why are you interfering with my ward?”

“ Your ward?” Trey snorted a laugh. “The last I had heard, you turned that responsibility over to Mother.”

“Trey.” His brother’s voice grew harsh. “Cease this foolishness. We both know why I turned Miss Faraday to Mother’s care. Now tell me why you are interfering.”

“Pardon me?” Trey stopped and looked at his brother. “Pray, what are you talking about? I’m not interfering at all. Mother requested my help.”

“Oh, come now. You don’t expect me to believe that, do you?”

Trey scowled. “I don’t give a wit what you believe. I’m only doing what our mother asked of me.” He grumbled and marched toward his office again.

“Why would she want your help?” Trevor continued to harass. “You are a scoundrel, Trey. Why would any mother ask their son with your reputation, to assist with a young, innocent beauty?”

Trey’s steps slowed as his mind unscrambled the doubt creeping into his head. Trevor was correct. Why would his mother ask for Trey’s help? Was she playing matchmaker and trying to hook him up with Judith? Impossible. His mother knew what kind of man Trey was and how he followed so closely in his father’s footsteps. So why would she plan such a ridiculous scheme?

He quickly dismissed the doubt Trevor had lodged in his head and flipped his hand in the air. “She asked for my help because she’s ill.” Over his shoulder, he tossed his brother a scowl. “And because she does not dare disappoint you. What other choice did she have?”

Trevor shook his head. “Mother has certainly lost leave of her senses then.” He grabbed Trey’s elbow and stopped him. “Tell me, is Miss Faraday still innocent?”

Anger consumed Trey, different than what he’d felt with Hawthorne. He wanted to give his brother a good pounding for that comment. “Obviously, you have little faith in me.”

Finally, a grin tugged on the corners of Trevor’s mouth. “Tell me a time when I have been wrong about your character, brother dear.” He arched an all-knowing eyebrow. “What have you done in your life thus far to make me think I should trust you?”

Trey grumbled under his breath. Trevor knew him well.

Hesitating to give an answer, Trey scrambled through the cobwebs of his mind to think of something… “I have it.” He smiled. “I have managed your bets at Whites, and you have never lost. Whenever I have one of those hair-brained schemes—as you so call them—I have never led you astray. Have my money ventures not turned out positive?”

Nodding, Trevor folded his arms. “Indeed, I commend you on that. So let me rephrase my previous question. What have you done thus far in your life where it concerns a woman that hasn’t turned out scandalous?”

Trey muttered a curse. “Judith is innocent, you fool. She is Mother’s ward. I will not compromise her. She’s safe with me.”

“She’s safe with you, eh?” Tilting his head back, he released a loud laugh that droned on for many seconds. When he met Trey’s gaze, Trevor’s eyes sparkled with mirth. The dimple both brothers shared appeared on Trevor’s chin—something Trey hadn’t seen for quite a while.

Trevor shook his head. “For some reason, that sounds more like a contradiction, don’t you think?”

Indeed, his brother was correct. Trey hated how Trevor’s holier-than-thou attitude always surfaced whenever they argued.

“As it is, Miss Faraday is protected while under Mother’s care. Rest assured, I shall guard her from men like me.” Trey quickly turned. Obviously, Trevor didn’t have much faith in his younger brother. Then again, Trey had never given him reason to have faith.

They walked a few more streets in silence. Finally, Trey glanced over his shoulder. “You never told me what you are about this fine afternoon.”

“I needed some clothes repaired, so I took them to the tailor.”

His brother’s answer was too quick and sharp for Trey to believe him. Besides that, Trevor’s servants could have run the errand for him. Something was definitely amiss with his brother. Trey wanted to ask, but he and Trevor had never been one to share their thoughts and feelings, even as young boys. For some reason, they’d never been close.

“How is Gwendolyn?” Trey asked. “Is she well and blissfully satisfied in her marriage to a stranger?”

Trevor shrugged. “We are still getting to know each other, so I have not a clue as to how happy she is. But she’s not doing very well with her pregnancy. The doctor has told her to stay in bed for a while.”

Trey stopped in front of his office. Worried lines added a deeper level of seriousness to his brother’s grave expression. “That doesn’t sound good at all. Does the doctor give hope for a normal pregnancy?”

“Yes. His words are still very encouraging.”

“Splendid. I shall relay the information to Mother, unless you would like to do it.”

Trevor shrugged. “I don’t know when I will see her next.”

“Certainly you will see her at Judith’s coming out ball, Friday after next.”

Trevor’s eyebrows rose. “That soon?”

“The girl is ready, so why not get it over and done with? Personally, I cannot wait to find her a husband so I can return to my own life.”

Trevor laughed. “Always thinking about your well-being, I see. Glad to know you have not changed.” He bumped his elbow into Trey’s arm.

Rage burned through him like a torch. His brother had always made Trey feel inferior. Obviously, the titled brother hadn’t changed, either, but the reason he gave Trevor was far from the truth. Trey didn’t want to give Judith to another man. He wanted to be the one to kiss those sweet lips. Him and none other.

Unfortunately, that was the very thing he couldn’t do, which was why finding her a husband was so essential. Especially now that her former beloved had turned out to be a scandalous man. Trevor would never understand how Trey felt. Trevor had always been a saint who did and acted the way their parents expected of him. Which was why the older brother let his parents arrange his wedding to a woman he’d never met.

“Well, I must be off.” Trevor adjusted his hat on his head. “I shall attend Miss Faraday’s ball, only to see how well you have taken care of my ward.”

Trey nodded. “And when you see how well she turned out, will I hear an apology?”

Laughter rang through the air as Trevor turned. “Only time will tell, brother.”

Yes, time would certainly tell. Trey seethed. He couldn’t wait to hear his brother grovel when Judith turned out a splendid performance. He was confident she would amaze everyone, including his mother. She would have beaus lined up at the door, just as every girl her age dreamed of having.

He growled and hurried inside his office. How could he deal with this sudden feeling of possessiveness? Finding a titled, wealthy man for Judith was exactly what her parents would want, God rest their souls. Yet, how could Trey give her away so easily when he wanted her himself?

He mustn’t give into temptation. He needed to remain strong. Judith would not be compromised by him. Her husband would be very pleased.

For some reason, that thought left a disgusting taste in Trey’s mouth, and an ache in his chest. The ale he’d sipped must have been bad, he reasoned.