Page 22 of Her Sweetest Rogue (The Worthington Legacy #6)

J udith smoothed her hands down the cream colored day dress she’d donned that morning, hoping her moist palms wouldn’t mark the material. She stood in front of the door to Trey’s study, the very room he’d been in since before breakfast. No voices were heard on the other side of the thick door, but his fascinating scent of spice and leather wafted around her, reminding her how his very aroma could make her an emotional mess.

Last night had ended terribly, especially after the guests left. The dinner party itself had turned out splendid, but Judith was anxious to talk to Trey, yet somehow he’d disappeared once the last guest departed. After that, the dowager kept Judith busy so she couldn’t search him out before retiring for bed.

However, this was a new day, and she felt like a new woman. No longer would she allow herself to melt when he was near. She wasn’t going to waste her time longing for a man who couldn’t commit to a marriage.

Swallowing hard, she raised her hand to knock, but quick footsteps down the hall made her hesitate.

“Miss Faraday?” the butler called.

She dropped her hand and turned toward the servant. “Yes?”

“You have a visitor in the drawing room.”

“A visitor?” She lifted an eyebrow. “Pray, who could be calling upon me this early in the morning?”

“Lord Hawthorne, Miss.”

Dominic? What is he doing here? Could something dreadful be wrong? “Thank you. I shall not keep him waiting a moment longer.”

She hurried down the hallway to the drawing room, curious to see what could bring the marquess to visit her this early in the day. When she entered, Dominic sat on the sofa sipping a cup of tea. His gaze lifted to her mere seconds before he set the cup on the side tray and rose.

“Good morning, Miss Faraday.” He grinned and bowed.

“A good day to you, Lord Hawthorne.” She curtsied then swept her gaze over his attire, black riding boots, black breeches and a double-breasted brown riding over-jacket. “What are you about this early in the morning?”

“I thought to invite you to go riding with me.”

She blinked with wide eyes. “With you , my lord?”

“I know what an excellent horsewoman you are, and I would love some company during my ride.”

A chuckle escaped her before she could stop it. “Surely you jest.”

“No, Miss Faraday. I would enjoy your company, if you don’t mind.”

His gray eyes sparkled with mischief. That’s the only word she could think of to describe them. He didn’t appear to be a man bent on wooing a lady. So what was his purpose? There was only one way to find out.

She shrugged. “If you will give me a few minutes, my lord, I will change into my riding clothes.”

“Take all the time you need.”

As she hurried to her bedroom, questions swam through her head. Why was he really here? He didn’t want to court her, did he? Dominic would indeed make a fine husband as long as the right woman could reform him. Judith wasn’t that woman. Although Dominic was charming, handsome, and wealthy, she didn’t have any feelings for him but those of a friend.

It took her only forty-five minutes to change before she met him outside by the stables. He held the reins of his horse as he visited with the stable boy who held her mare. Acting the gentleman, Dominic helped her mount before he climbed on the back of his horse.

During the first few minutes, she studied him, but still didn’t feel that his main purpose here was to court her. Indeed, he acted as if he just wanted her company. She supposed it could happen that way. They were friends, after all.

As they trotted their horses side by side, she cleared her throat. She’d make use of this time alone with him. “Tell me, my lord, how did you and Trey meet?”

“Our mothers are distant cousins. However, I have never really thought of Trey as a relation, and we have always been friends.”

When Dominic talked about his childhood, his face relaxed and a twinkle lit his eyes. Indeed, she knew he thought a lot of Trey and would always defend him. It softened her heart to know Trey had a friend like this.

“Trey has always had a stubborn streak to him,” Dominic continued, “as I’m certain you well know.”

She laughed. “More than I would like.”

“I remember when we were in our nineteenth year. I thought his mother would disinherit him for good when he was seen in the company of some…shall we say, unorthodox-minded women. He was certainly causing more scandal than the dowager could handle.”

Judith tilted her head, studying Nic’s profile. The man genuinely cared about the dowager, too. “Why would Trey think that? Scandal happens all the time, especially in wealthy families. I believe their money gives society more to gossip about.”

“Very true, Miss Faraday, but the dowager has had her share, and none of it was her doing.”

“Why do you say that?”

He pulled on the reins and stopped his horse. Judith halted her mare, as well.

“Have you ever met Trey’s father?”

She nodded. “Yes, when I was younger.”

“And you didn’t know about him?”

“I’m not certain what you are referring to, my lord.”

Dominic scrubbed his hand over his chin. “It’s quite difficult to talk about in front of a lady.” He chuckled. “If I were at the gentleman’s club, I would find this topic easier.”

“Please tell. I promise not to tell anyone you broke the rules. And I promise not to swoon from the delicate matter.”

He laughed. “But Miss Faraday, do you not remember swooning when you first met Trey and myself?”

She grumbled. “I did not swoon in Trey’s arms. I was weak from nourishment, and combined with the news Trey had just presented me—”

Dominic held up his hand. “Yes, I know. I was just jesting with you. But to continue, I don’t believe you are the type of woman who swoons over such controversies. Besides, it’s going to be a pleasure breaking the rules with you.” He winked. “Trey’s father was a man who flaunted his mistresses everywhere he went. The dowager wasn’t ignorant about her husband’s affairs, but neither could she stop him. On several occasions, he dueled over these unfortunate women, injuring their husband or lover, and then weeks later he found another woman to shower his attention on.”

Heat surged to Judith’s face, both from embarrassment over the subject, and from anger. How could that man do such a thing? Poor Isabelle for having to put up with such a man. “Oh, how terrible.”

“So you see,” Dominic continued, “the family has had its share of gossip. It was not until after Tristan died, when Trey hardened his heart to a lot of things and acted like he didn’t have a care in the world.”

Her heart clenched. “Tell me, my lord, why would Trey continue to lead such a life of ill-repute when his father did, making them a topic of gossip within the best circles?”

“Trey has always been told he’s like his father. Perhaps Trey feels it cannot be helped. At least he’s not causing scandal like he did in his younger years.”

Judith urged her horse forward in a slow walk, Dominic keeping up beside her. Many questions still swam in her head, but her heavy heart couldn’t stop feeling sorrow for the boy Trey once was and the man he was today.

“Can you tell me something else, my lord?”

“What?”

She glanced at Nic. “Will Trey ever change?”

“How do you mean?”

“Will he ever want to settle down and find a good woman to marry, and stay faithful to?”

Dominic shrugged. “I want to believe all of us rakes will eventually find a woman to marry and to have heirs.” He grinned. “As for Trey, I cannot be certain. I think deep in his heart, he does not want to end up like his father. I believe Trey longs to find the woman who will change him.”

“He would certainly have a miserable life if he continues to live like he’s doing now.”

“Many women have tried to change Trey.”

She arched her brows. “Indeed?”

“Oh yes, but they are going about it the wrong way.”

Chuckling, she shook her head. “My lord, is there a right way?”

“Every man is different, mind you, but Trey needs a woman who will get to know him and love him for himself. She also needs to be patient and give him the time to fall in love.” Dominic ran his fingers through his hair as he adjusted himself on the saddle. “Most women want to trap Trey quickly without going through the other steps.”

She shook her head. “I think, my lord, you are the romantic one out of the two. Trey told me once that loving someone was foolish.”

“I suppose it can be, but only if you fall in love with the wrong person.”

“And pray, who is the wrong kind of woman?”

“I believe Trey has met many women who are like the kind his father visited frequently. Trey does not want someone who falls easily into another man’s arms.”

“Most women do not want a man who falls easily into another woman’s arms, either.”

“Exactly.” He winked. “Although Trey may not realize it yet, he’s hoping to find a woman he can trust, not only with his name, but with his heart. When he finally falls in love, it will be forever.”

Emotion squeezed her chest and tears burned her eyes. Quickly, before Dominic could see, she pushed her horse faster. She couldn’t explain to him about her tears. Too many times over the past few days she had hoped for a way into Trey’s heart. Although she still questioned her feelings for him, she yearned for his nearness.

Trey was so different from Alex, and it surprised her to think she could have such feelings. She had thought Alex was the kind of man who’d make the perfect husband and father. Trey was far from that, yet he would certainly know how to kiss her to oblivion, making her think of nothing else.

Regretfully, putting him out of her head was the best thing—and finding answers about Alex was the second best.