Page 37 of Her Sweetest Rogue (The Worthington Legacy #6)

T o Judith’s disappointment, the coach stopped before Trey could speak another word. She pulled the cloak together and readied herself. Once the footman opened the door, Trey climbed out first then assisted her.

She held his stare as she stepped onto the ground, and although he let go of her hand, she wouldn’t let him get away. Quickly, she slipped her hand around his elbow and followed him inside the house.

The halls were quiet and dimly lit. Had the servants retired for the evening? She sincerely hoped so. She wanted more time alone with Trey, especially since he acted as if he had something very important to tell her. It must be imperative if it was keeping him from loving her.

He stopped just before they reached the stairs, and turned to face her. “Would you like to change into something more comfortable?”

“What I would like is to sit somewhere with you so you can finish telling me about Tristan.”

When he smiled, it didn’t touch his eyes. Sadness still lingered in their depths.

“I have no desire to talk here and have servants overhear, or heaven forbid my mother interrupt us.”

“How about a walk outside?”

Nodding, he took her by the hand and led them outside into the moonlight. Only a few lanterns lit the side of the house, and the farther away they walked, the more shadows thickened around them. Soon, their only light became the moon.

He kept her hand in his while his other hand stroked her arm. She didn’t say anything, hoping he would speak first. When his steps slowed, she grew hopeful.

Stopping, he looked up into the night sky. She admired the shape of his handsome face and stubborn jaw, then shifted her eyes to his irresistible neck that made her want to nibble to her complete satisfaction.

After taking a deep breath, he looked at her. “What do you remember about Tristan?”

Memories flooded her mind, and she couldn’t stop the smile stretching her mouth. “He was an enjoyable person. He laughed a lot. He also teased, although it was not anything like your teasing.”

He chuckled.

“And I remember he made friends easily,” she added. “He was the person to talk with because he would listen and understand.”

Trey nodded. “He was a man with a huge heart, and his caring heart was the very thing that killed him in the end.”

She shook her head as confusion filled her. “I don’t understand.”

He turned and led them toward a stone bench. They sat together, but shadows from the nearby tree made it hard to see his face.

“Two years ago,” Trey began, “Tristan fell in love. He fell hard. She was the daughter of a baron, and her father wanted to find the best match for her. Tristan would do anything for that woman. He wanted to marry her, but her parents would not allow the match because Tristan was the second son, and other lords—with higher titles—were vying for her attention, too. Lady Diana led my brother to believe he had a chance, making him hope her parents would eventually give in and allow her to marry him. One night, he went to her house to talk her into eloping with him, but instead he found her in the stables with another man.”

Judith gasped and covered her mouth. “Were they…you know…”

Trey shrugged. “Tristan would not tell me, but he hinted that Lady Diana was there against her will. So upset at Lord Hollingsworth, Tristan challenged him to a duel.” Trey shook his head. “Now that I think back on it, I realize Lady Diana didn’t do anything to stop it. If she had pleaded with my brother, he would not have gone through with it. Makes me wonder if she indeed wanted him to duel the other man.”

He sighed heavily. “Anyway, Tristan asked me to be his second and I agreed. My brother was an excellent swordsman, but the man he had challenged was deceitful. Deep in my heart, I knew I had to be there to protect my brother.”

Her heart ached hearing Trey’s agony. The pain he had suffered was evident in the lines on his face and his tight frown. She wanted to caress him, to kiss him and make him feel better, but instead, she let him talk.

Leaning his elbows on his knees, he rested his forehead in his hands. “I was right. Lord Hollingsworth could not be trusted. As Tristan and I stood on the field waiting for the others to arrive, Tristan was shot. Hollingsworth hid in the trees and shot my brother.”

“Oh, Trey. No!” She stroked his stiff shoulder.

“Tristan didn’t die immediately. I wrestled Hollingsworth to the ground, ready to kill the man myself. Tristan fought with Hollingsworth’s second, but due to his weakened state, the other man was stronger. Before I knew it, they were near the edge of the cliff. I broke away from Hollingsworth and ran to assist my brother, but—”

His voice choked, which made emotion clog her throat. Tears stung her eyes, but she continued to caress Trey’s shoulder.

“He fell over the cliff before I could stop it from happening. I was almost there, but I was not fast enough.” His voice broke and he covered his face with his hands. “My brother died because I could not save him.”

Tears streamed down her face and she wrapped her arms around Trey, trying to turn him toward her body. He resisted at first, but he soon let her comfort him. She hushed him and stroked his hair, placing kisses on his forehead. Her heart broke for his sorrow, and helplessness settled around her.

“Trey, you cannot blame yourself.”

He shook his head, still covering his face. “You don’t understand. I should have stopped him from dueling.” He pulled away enough to look at her. “But I encouraged my brother to fight Hollingsworth for touching the woman Tristan loved. I wanted to believe in love back then. I wanted to believe Lady Diana and Tristan’s love would overcome all. Because I believed in such nonsense, my brother was killed.”

“No, Trey. Don’t say that. You cannot think this way. Tristan made his own decisions. He could have refused to duel, but he didn’t.”

Trey pushed away from her, stood, and ran his fingers through his hair. “For several days I searched for his body in the water. I could not find him.” He pounded his fist against the nearest tree. “It was then when I realized he had died for love. The same artificial love my parents were married for, yet my father continued to insult my mother and cheat on her. The same faux love that tore my mother apart and made her cry when my father stayed out late, preferring his mistresses over her.”

“Trey, no—”

“Which is the very reason I quit believing in it. I refuse to give my heart to any woman and suffer the agony.” He spun around and faced her. “Judith, please don’t force the issue. You know my mind now. This emotion called love is not worth the pain.”

More tears streamed down her face, but she wondered if he could even see them in the darkness. He’d hardened his heart, and she didn’t know how to break through. Her chest ached with agony, and helplessness flooded through her.

“You know the worst part?”

She shook her head.

“Lady Diana married Lord Hollingsworth two weeks later. Apparently, she had been betrothed to him for months, yet she still led Tristan to believe she loved him.”

“I’m…sorry.”

He held out his hand. “Come. It’s late and I need to return you to your room.”

Nodding, she stood and slipped her hand into his. As they walked back to the house in silence, her mind whirled with all the information, trying to find the right words to say. Sadly, there was nothing she could come up with.

Perhaps there was no way to break through his hardened heart. Maybe they were not meant to be together. The tightness in her chest kept her from sobbing aloud, but she was on the verge. He probably wouldn’t care anyway.

When they reached the hallway, she pushed away from him and ran to her bedroom, knowing he wouldn’t follow this time.

*

“My dear, Miss Faraday. Your beauty has outshone the sun today.”

Judith forced a smile, hoping she didn’t appear like she wanted to roll her eyes and gag with distaste. The insipid fop who had called on her today was terrible with his words.

“You are much too kind, Lord James. I fear I don’t deserve such a compliment.” And truly, she didn’t. She’d heard Lord James was after a woman who he could put on display—the kind he’d be proud to have on his arm as they walked through the park. A woman to make other men jealous. He would have definitely approved of the gown she wore for Henry Pratt’s dinner social. But instead, she chose to wear drab brown, and pull her hair back so tight in a bun that her eyes nearly popped out of her head. She even draped a shawl over her shoulders, to keep any hint of skin from showing.

“Oh, but you are the um—” His gaze swept over her as panic laced his eyes and tightened his lips. “You are extremely lovely.” He pulled his shoulders back and grinned. “Would you care for a walk outside today?”

“Are you insane?” She laid on the theatrics and gasped, placing a hand on her chest. “The wind is blowing. It’s much too chilly to walk outside. I might catch my death out there.”

“Nonsense. The weather is perfect.”

Judith bundled her shawl tighter. “Not for me. I fear I get cold easily. Perhaps another time…or another season.”

“But—it will not get warmer than this since it’s mid-summer.”

Thankfully, Lord James left not long after that. She really shouldn’t have pushed him away, but she didn’t have any interest in him. Or any man.

Save for one.

The two weeks since Trey had confessed his feelings to her had passed in a blur. Every day Judith had a different suitor, and every day the men left with their shoulders sagging, pretty much like Lord James had done. None could make her heart pitter-patter.

Not like Trey had been able to accomplish.

Dominic has been out of town, and she missed their morning rides. She also missed talking to him. He’d be the only one to understand. Apparently, his plan to make Trey jealous enough to admit his love hadn’t worked. Now her hopes were crushed and she lingered in a foggy world without any dreams for her future.

Although Trey still resided in the dowager’s house, he was rarely around during the day. It hurt to think he didn’t want to see her, but she understood. She knew he was falling in love with her, and since this was something he didn’t want, it would be easier not to see each other constantly.

Did Isabelle know what was happening between Judith and Trey? At quiet times, Judith caught the older woman looking at her with a pained expression. Whenever Judith asked if something was wrong, the dowager smiled and shook her head. If only Judith could tell her guardian what was going on, but she didn’t dare. The dowager was unable to do anything about it, anyway.

Isabelle had been busy lately planning her own birthday ball. Judith offered to help, but the older woman refused. Although Judith wasn’t in any kind of mood to celebrate, at least it would keep her mind busy and her thoughts off of Trey. But Isabelle took over and didn’t allow Judith to do anything.

Sighing heavily, Judith rested the sewing sampler in her lap and looked out the window. Perhaps she should stop trying to thwart the dowager’s plans of finding her a husband and let her guardian pick a man. Now Judith’s life seemed dull and pointless. If she allowed herself to get to know some of these men, maybe she’d fall in love again. It would definitely take a stalwart man to make Trey disappear from her heart.

Boot steps echoed on the floor out in the hallway, and she swung her gaze toward the door. It wouldn’t be Trey. He usually didn’t return home until late, but her heartbeat still picked up rhythm in anticipation of seeing him.