The Sweetest Kiss (Brothers of Worthington Series) (14 page)

Alexander Cutler was a deceiver and poor as a church mouse.

Maybe poorer.

“As you will see on page two,” the solicitor added, “Mr. Cutler had never been a part of the Royal Navy. If he continues portraying an officer, the Royal Navy will have him arrested.”

“Sounds as though arresting the man
is
the wisest decision regardless of his impersonation,” Trey muttered. “I sincerely hope this man is found and judged for his crimes.”

Originally, he’d hired a solicitor to find Mr. Cutler so Judith could be married and out of his hair as quickly as possible, but the more he grew to know her, the more he hoped Mr. Cutler would fade from her life.

Fortune smiled upon Trey once again. This was the very thing he needed to keep the man away from Judith. Now Trey would have to tell her that her dear beloved officer wasn’t whom he proclaimed. She’d be devastated, and rightly so. Her hopes and dreams of marriage would crash around her, putting her into the pit of despair. Trey would be right by her side to comfort of course. She’d cry in his arms, and he’d soothe her the only way he knew how. The idea excited him, and he almost looked forward to the prospect.

Groaning silently, he shifted in his chair and looked at Mr. Lewis. “Have you found where Mr. Cutler is hiding?”

“No. I asked around and a few people have spotted him, but the man certainly doesn’t want to be found, my lord.”

Trey pushed his fingers through his hair. “Makes me wonder if Mr. Cutler even knows how much Miss Faraday’s inheritance is worth. Now I think the man does not. If he knew how wealthy the young lady was, Mr. Cutler would have been sniffing at her heels the day after her parents were buried.”

“It makes sense, my lord. I think when Mr. Cutler finally discovers her wealth, he will return to claim her.”

“You are thinking as I am, Mr. Lewis. Greedy lowlifes like Cutler always resurface when they believe their prey most vulnerable.” Thoughts of Judith disappearing without a word to meet Cutler again raced through his mind, churning his stomach.

“Not to fret, my lord. I shall stay on the case until he’s found, I assure you.”

“Splendid.” Trey stood, as did the solicitor, and they shook hands. “I hope to hear from you soon.”

“You will, my lord.”

As Mr. Lewis left, Trey began planning when he’d give Judith the information about her dear fiancé. Trey would take Judith somewhere secluded, so they wouldn’t be disturbed—somewhere he could hold her comfortably while cuddling the sobbing woman in his arms and shower her with kisses. As always, she’d melt in his embrace and quickly respond. The moment would definitely be enjoyable. He couldn’t wait to experience that out-of-control emotion while kissing her. Just like what happened yesterday evening. He’d enjoyed their private moment in the glade more than he should, because now he wanted more.

Smiling, he grabbed his coat and hat as he hurried out of the office, closing the door behind him. As he practically skipped down the stairs two at a time, he nearly ran into a wide form stopped at the doorway. His friend,
Nic
, peered over his shoulder at someone outside, his forehead creased in close scrutiny.

“Hawthorne, old sport,” Trey greeted. “What are you about this afternoon?”

“I do believe your brother is in town this morning. I have not seen him for quite some time.” He glanced at Trey before looking outside again.

“Trevor’s here? Are you certain?” Trey stepped to the opened doorway and peered out. As
Nic
mentioned, the duke’s coach stood in front of the tailor shop.
“How remarkable!
He has come out of hiding.”

Nic
chuckled. “Why was he in hiding to begin with?”

Trey stepped out on the boardwalk as he shrugged on his over-coat. “He was not really trying to hide. He just needed time to get to know his new wife. Their marriage was arranged, you know.”

“I had heard that rumor.”
Nic
kept in step beside Trey. “I don’t know how any man could let someone else govern their life and tell them who to marry.”

Trey placed the hat on his head before turning to meet
Nic’s
stare. “Although I’m not planning to marry, if something were to happen to Trevor, leaving me the next in line, I would have to find a wife and create heirs. But I have been thinking a lot since Trevor’s nuptials. If I have to marry, I will choose a woman who compliments my lifestyle and is beautiful and passionate beyond reason.”

Nic
snorted. “And one that will not argue with you, correct?”

“Absolutely.”
Trey nodded. “Why should I marry a woman I cannot come to terms with? My parents were not satisfied with that kind of arrangement, so why should I be?”

“Very true.”

“Besides that, I know firsthand how a controlling woman can ruin a man’s life. Look at my poor brother, Tristan, rest his soul. If he had not met up with Lady Diana, he might still be alive today.” Trey’s heart sank. And if he had responded quicker, Tristan would definitely be alive.

Nic
clapped his hand on Trey’s shoulder. “I had forgotten about her, but you are quite right. She was a crafty woman for certain.”

Together, they stepped into the cobblestone street and crossed to the other side, heading toward the nearest drinking establishment. Many carriages and buggies blocked their way, and Trey had to quicken his step to keep from getting hit. Lords and Ladies clustered the side paths, and especially in front of the stores. Gossip ran thick through London, especially this part of Town.

“So tell me, my good man,” Trey began, “what kind of wife do you plan to settle down with?”

Nic
threw back his head and laughed. “What makes you think I’m going to settle?”

“We all will eventually, to have heirs, of course.”

“I don’t believe
settle
is the correct word. The woman I marry is someone whom I can talk easily to, and one that can fulfill my deepest desires. I can only hope she thinks the way I do, and enjoys the occasional sport.”

Trey nodded. “Ah, yes. One who’s not
uneventful.
I understand.”

Nic
scrubbed his chin. “Actually, Worthington, I’m surprised you brought up this conversation.”

“Why is that?”

“Because, ever since I met your mother’s ward, I have been thinking about her quite a bit.
I might be interested in getting to know her on a more personal level.”

Trey stumbled but quickly righted himself, hoping
Nic
hadn’t noticed. Irritation and a twinge of jealousy shot through Trey. Dominic could not possibly have feelings for Judith. Trey wouldn’t allow it!

Trey 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 Judith courting Dominic 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 imaged 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,
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.