Page 4 of Her Sweetest Rogue (The Worthington Legacy #6)
P roblem, my eye!
Judith was not, nor ever would be, Lord Trey’s problem . Unfortunately, she was stuck as their ward until she found a way out. Trey Worthington didn’t even want to listen to her protests. Judith’s parents may have raised her at their country estate, but she was far from being a country girl. They’d taught her everything she needed to know to enter Society.
That wasn’t the reason she resisted. Before her parents’ untimely death, her mother had started to plan Judith’s coming-out ball. Once again, tears pricked her eyes and she blinked to dry them. How could she allow the dowager to plan her ball without wishing her mother was still alive to do it herself?
Knowing the best course of action was to keep her mouth shut so she didn’t cry in front of Lord Trey, Judith spoke not a word until they reached her home. Before she could dismount, he jumped off his horse, hurried to her side, and helped her down.
Fool. Couldn’t he tell she didn’t want his touch? Her body still remembered his warm kiss, and she cursed her traitorous mind for being unfaithful to Alex—her secret fiancé.
He grinned. “Miss Faraday? Do you need me to escort you inside to collect your things and your servants?”
She bunched her hands into fists at her sides. “No, my lord. I’m quite capable of doing that by myself. However, if you would like to wait in the drawing room, I shall not be very long.”
He gave her a nod. “Then you have exactly one hour to ready yourself and your belongings.”
She marched inside. When the servants ran to greet her, she flipped her hand through the air. “My escort has arrived a day early. Please see to loading the trunks as soon as possible.”
She didn’t stop to see their expressions, but hurried up the stairs and to her room to change clothes. Mixed emotions swam in her head and tightened in her chest. Why hadn’t Alex met her at the cottage? Had something happened to keep him away? Although she considered him her fiancé, their engagement wasn’t legal in any way, shape, or form. So perhaps he didn’t want to marry her any longer. Tears flooded her eyes. She couldn’t let her servants see. They didn’t know about Alex. Nobody did.
Since she didn’t dare keep Lord Trey or his friend waiting for fear of what they’d do, she hurried with the organizing and met the pair outside not more than an hour later. Thankfully, the servants had spent the week packing, so they were ready. Lord Trey and the man he called Hawthorne instructed the servants with loading the carriages. One by one, she hugged the few servants who’d be staying, people she’d known as family for several years. Tears burned her eyes as they wished her well. She climbed in the coach, and moments later, it jerked into action, carrying her to her new prison as his lordship rode in front, leading the way.
Out the window of the departing coach, she watched as her childhood home became smaller and smaller. Sadness welled in her chest and tightened her throat. The pain of her parents’ death was as real today as it had been when they were laid to rest two months ago. Tragic that their lives had been taken so quickly. When she remembered how much in love they were, her chest squeezed with emotion. She wanted to blame someone for their sudden deaths, but the authorities had told her it was an accident. Merely an act of God. After contemplation, she realized it was a true blessing they had died together.
She didn’t know how long it would take to be free of the dowager’s care, but Judith vowed to return home someday and keep the place the way her mother had had it. So many joyful memories were held within the walls, and Judith couldn’t let anything happen to her home. This was where she wanted to live once she married Alex. Would that day ever happen now?
Leaning back in the seat, she squeezed her eyes closed. If Trey Worthington hadn’t come to the cottage, she would not be sitting in a coach riding toward his home. Why couldn’t she get it through that man’s skull that she didn’t need him? He must have forgotten how troublesome she could be…and she couldn’t wait to remind him. A malicious smile tugged on her lips, and she looked out the window. He’d rue the day he interrupted her life.
Two uneventful hours passed, and the nearer they drew to the dowager’s estate, the more restless Judith became. She needed to calm her agitation quickly, because snapping at the older woman and displaying her troubled disposition would not be a good way to begin a relationship with her guardian. Lord Trey was at fault for her temperament, and so she’d take it out on him. All she could do now was go along with the dowager’s plans, but in the end, she’d make him sorry for upsetting her life. The smug man would soon realize she didn’t take orders from anyone—especially arrogant men like him.
Beyond the window, the scenery changed. She leaned closer to look at the rolling, grassy lawns, obviously manicured by someone with a loving green thumb. Yellow and pink spring flowers blossomed along the pebbled drive all the way up to the manor, their green leaves swaying in the gentle wind. The two-story white and gray house with large columns circling the front conveyed an open welcome to guests.
Pursing her lips, she dug her fingernails into her palms. This would be her dungeon for the next little while until Alex rescued her. She sighed and relaxed in the coach, noticing the jarring of the vehicle was not as horrendous as it had been during the first portion of her trip.
Frowning, she thought about her beloved sailor—her lieutenant. What really happened to him this morning? His last letter mentioned he’d been under the weather lately, but he promised he’d be at the woodsman’s cottage and they would elope. Loneliness gripped her heart and squeezed. She’d counted on him today, and he’d disappointed her.
The coach stopped, and within seconds, the door opened. Her family’s footman reached in with a brown-gloved hand to assist. She hesitated before she let him help her from the vehicle. His sad eyes met hers, and the emotion tugged on her heart. Certainly, he knew what turmoil she felt.
The breeze blew the strands of hair not hidden by her bonnet against her cheeks, the scent of roses wafting all around her from the nearby bushes. She hadn’t been this close to London in quite a while. Her parents brought her every year to enjoy the sights, but she was always happy to return home.
The manor loomed before her, looking much better than some of the estates she’d passed on her journey. Of course, she’d heard the dowager duchess’s wealth far surpassed a lot of the nobility Judith had met in London. The fancy-dressed servants standing near the door attested to the truth of the rumors. Three stone archways led into a little alcove before reaching the main doors.
Within moments, Lord Trey stood by her side, offering his arm. She held in the unladylike snort she wanted to expel. Trey Worthington was far from being a gentleman, so why did he act like one now? Yet she couldn’t ignore his chiseled, handsome features or the memory of him holding her in his strong embrace.
As they walked into the house, Judith held in a gasp. The great hall was filled with ancient statues and small tables that only held planters of flowers.
A short, thin man, wearing the black and white attire of the butler, hurried from out of a room and stopped in front of them. “Lord Trey. You are here.”
“Why of course, Bentley. Where else would I be at a time like this?” The blackguard nodded toward Judith. “My mother is expecting Miss Judith Faraday.”
“But not until tomorrow.”
Lord Trey shrugged. “So we are here early. Please let my mother know.”
“Yes, of course, my lord.” Bentley bowed, turned, and hurried into the sitting room.
As Lord Trey led Judith into the sitting room, she moved her gaze over the beautifully carved windows, across the beige carpet, to the two fireplaces—one on each side of the room—before resting her eyes on the expensive vases and crystals used as decorations amongst the cushioned chairs and sofas.
A tall, slender woman rose from the nearest sofa, her smile wide. Isabelle Worthington, the Dowager Duchess of Kenbridge and Judith’s mother’s dearest friend, appeared far different than when Judith met her as a child. Then again, it had been at least ten years since she saw her last.
Silver ringlets threaded with blue ribbon framed the dowager’s oblong, wrinkled face. Familiar eyes danced as she looked over Judith.
“Oh gracious, look at you. Overnight you have turned into a lady.” The dowager duchess stopped in front of Judith and, with her knuckles, lifted her chin. “You look just like your mother in her younger days, God rest her soul.” She grasped Judith’s hands and squeezed. “But tell me, why are you not wearing the customary black mourning gown, my dear?”
Judith frowned. “I have been wearing the gown for two months, and although I know it’s highly improper to do, I could not wear it one more day. Whenever I wear black, I think of my parents and feel as if I cannot go on another day.”
“Oh, my dear.” The dowager patted Judith’s hand. “I truly understand your misery. Well, it’s highly improper, but since you are now my ward, I think I shall forgo the year of mourning even if it raises some judgmental eyebrows.” She winked. “Besides, nobody will be the wiser if they do not know. Correct?”
Judith sighed and nodded.
“It delights me to have you in my home,” the dowager continued, “and I want to make you happy. Your mother was a wonderful woman. I promise to do all I can to finish raising you as a proper lady.”
Judith offered a tentative smile as she boiled inside. Why did they seem to think that just because she wasn’t associating with the ton , she wasn’t a proper lady? “I appreciate everything, Your Grace, but my mother has raised me already.”
“Of course, my dear.” The dowager squeezed her hands again, turned, and led her into the drawing room. “But a girl can never receive too much education. Do you not agree, Trey?”
Doing a quick search, Judith found Lord Trey standing by the window. He glanced at her over his shoulder, humor glinting in his eyes.
“Indeed, Mother. Those ladies Miss Faraday’s age always need something to occupy their time.”
Judith’s hackles rose. She’d show him how she’d love to spend her time—giving him a quick lesson in manners. She nodded, about to explain as kindly as she could that she required no further learning. However, the tears brimming in the older woman’s eyes prevented Judith from speaking.
“I never had a daughter.” The dowager’s voice broke. “Having you here now will give me a privilege I missed out on.”
Blast it all! Why did she have to say that? Guilt flooded Judith’s mind, making her doubt her plans. She couldn’t tell the dowager about Alex yet.
However, she didn’t have to make it easy for Lord Trey. She looked at him still standing by the window, hand on his hip as it pulled his frock coat away from his waistcoat. Handsome as sin, he was the devil’s own son, and she’d make him regret forcing her to come here.