The Sweetest Kiss (Brothers of Worthington Series) (32 page)

So far he hadn’t talked with her about his feelings, and it had been nearly five days since he had walked in on
Nic
kissing her. The dowager had finally allowed Judith to help with her birthday party, which kept Judith busy. But she still couldn’t wait to talk to him. Unfortunately, she had to give him more time.

Her heart lifted whenever he looked at her. Anger wasn’t embedded on his face. Instead, he smiled, and it actually reached his eyes, making them sparkle. The heavy burden of worry still rested on her chest, but every time he looked her way with a pleasant expression, it lightened her heart.

For the birthday party, Judith dressed in one of her new gowns, white muslin embroidered in white glass beads with an ivory silk square collar. Short puffy sleeves were also trimmed in ivory silk and silk cording. She wore white gloves that reached above her elbows. Her hair piled on top of her head in a knot, but she left wisps of ringlets to hang on her neck and ears.

Judith really had to put on a performance tonight. Lately, she’d been pushing suitors away, which she was certain had upset many people. Isabelle hadn’t said anything to her about this behavior, but Judith knew it didn’t make the dowager look like a respectable guardian.

Once Judith was ready, she hurried downstairs, eager to see Trey. They hadn’t spoken for almost three weeks, and she feared his mood would be sour like it had been before.

He stood by his mother at the doorway of the ballroom, and when he saw her, his eyes widened along with his smile. Her heart leapt, hoping he’d missed her as much as she had him.

More handsome than she’d seen him before, he wore a charcoal overcoat with a high collar. His dark blue vest had gold stitches embroidered in the material. Charcoal gray breeches fit his legs to perfection, and reminded her once again what a muscular man he was underneath.

Trey stepped away from his mother and toward Judith. He took her white-gloved hand, lifted it to his mouth and placed a kiss on her knuckles. “You are breathtaking tonight.”

Heat flooded her cheeks and she curtsied. “May I give the same compliment to you, my lord?”

His grin widened, and the dimple in his cheek flashed at her. “You certainly may.”

“Oh, Judith,” the dowager exclaimed as she hurried to her side. “You look ravishing. Thank you for being here to help me greet my guests. I’m very grateful for you and Trey. I wish Trevor could be here as well, but he just sent a note. He’d be detained for an hour but will arrive soon afterward.” The dowager took a deep breath. “I just want everything perfect.”

“And it shall be, Mother.”

It was hard for Judith to pull her gaze away from Trey, but she did to smile at the dowager. “Trey is correct. So far everything has turned out wonderfully.
Happy Birthday, Your Grace.”

Isabelle patted Judith’s cheek. “Thank you, my dear.”

As she stood beside Isabelle and Trey, Judith wished they’d stop making small talk. Of course, airing their feelings in front of the dowager wasn’t a good idea, either, but Judith wanted to know if Trey had thought about them—about her love and what she had to offer. Would he give her love a chance and trust her to make him happy?

Throughout the evening, Trey kept his gaze on her, just as she watched him. It didn’t matter if she danced with someone else, or if he stood with a group of people, she always knew where he was every minute. Sometimes she could read his expression, and it gave her encouragement. On a few occasions confusion crossed his gaze, making her heart sink. If only she could get him alone and talk to him.

After their dance was over, her partner escorted her back to the dowager, but before reaching the older woman, Trey stepped away from his group and stopped her.

“May I have this dance?”

She smiled wide. “Yes,” she sighed.

The tune was slower than the country-dances the stringed quartet had played thus far, which Judith was grateful for. The first few moments, she was lost just staring into his warm eyes. He didn’t smile, nor did he frown, but the intense focus in his eyes made her heart hammer faster.

Finally, the corners of his mouth lifted in a grin. “You really do look radiant tonight. I cannot keep my eyes off you.”

She wanted to moan aloud. “I know the feeling. I keep watching you to see if you catch the eye of another woman.”

He chuckled. “It would be hard when I’m looking at you, and only you.”

“Trey, about the other day—”

“
Shh
…” He squeezed her hand. “There’s no need to bring it up. You have given me much to think about, and only I can come to a decision.”

She nodded. “I understand.”

“But please, don’t fret. I want you to enjoy yourself tonight.”

“I will.” She glanced briefly across the crowd gathered. “This is a wonderful party, and I’m certain your mother is elated to have such endearing guests.”

“Yes. She thrives on being in the limelight.”

A commotion from the corner of the room started, and gained Judith’s attention, especially when the dowager strode across the room toward her servants wearing a scowl. Judith stopped, hoping to see what caused the voices to grow. Trey must have noticed, because he turned in the same direction.

“What’s going on?” she asked.

“I don’t know. It almost looks like an uninvited guest is causing trouble. Come. Let’s put a stop to it.”

Taking her by the hand, he led her off the dance floor. The closer they came to the crowd, the more her heartbeat quickened. People looked at her with accusing glares, and when she passed, they whispered behind their hands.

Suddenly, a loud voice rang through the room, quieting even the musicians. The familiar voice struck her and her heart sank.

Alex!

Judith stood frozen as she stared at the man from her past who was dressed in the uniform of a Lieutenant of the Royal Navy. Two of Isabelle’s servants held him back, and he struggled against them. When Alex saw her, he pointed his head in her direction.

“There she is,” he said loudly.

“Oh, no, it’s Alex.” Her voice was low, but Trey heard it and looked at her.

Trey’s quick breath was noticeable, and he marched up to Alex. “What is the meaning of this?”

“I’m here to rescue the woman I love.”

“And
whom
might that be, may I ask?”

“Miss Judith Faraday, my fiancée.”

Whispers in the room grew louder and Judith’s head began to swim. No. This couldn’t be happening. Fear kept her in place, staring at the man she didn’t know any longer. Why was he dressed as a sailor when Trey’s solicitor discovered he wasn’t in the navy?

“I highly doubt that sir,” Trey snapped. “She’s my brother’s ward, under my mother’s care. I think I would know if she had been engaged.”

Alex yanked his arms away from the servants, dug his hand inside the double-breasted red coat and pulled out a scrolled paper. “Here is the legal document that betrothed us before her parents died.”

Gasps rang through the room. Judith’s was the loudest. She swayed, and a strong arm clutched hers, holding her up. She glanced beside her to see Dominic being her support. His scowl was aimed at Alex, looking as if he was ready to stand beside his friend and kill the intruder.

Trey grabbed the paper from Alex and opened it, his eyes swiftly reading over each word. By the time it reached the bottom, his mouth turned down into a frown. He looked at Judith and shook his head.

“It’s signed by a clergyman.”

Finally, anger snapped her out of her daze, and she pulled away from Dominic. “That’s ridiculous.” She hurried to stand beside Trey, reading every word on the document.

“Did you sign this with him?” Trey asked softly.

Slowly, the pieces of her mended heart broke again. She did sign it. They were alone that day, making a promise to each other. It was before her parents died.
But…
No, this wasn’t right.

She moved her glare to Alex. “This is not legal, and you know it. There was no clergyman witnessing our signatures that day.”

Alex tilted his head and smiled.
“Oh, my darling, Judith.
You cannot deny this. We were betrothed in front of witnesses.”

“My parents did not even know about you.”

A loud moan came from behind as the dowager swooned. Dominic rushed to her side and helped her into a chair while another woman fanned Isabelle’s face. The dowager opened her eyes and met Judith’s gaze.

This wasn’t good for the older woman’s health. Why did Alex pick this day to come? She turned her attention back to Alex. “Will you leave? You are not wanted here.”

He shook his head. “I’m not leaving without my fiancée.”

“I’m not that person.”

“The document proves otherwise.”

Panic consumed Judith, making her breathing quicken. She looked from the dowager to Dominic, then to Trey, silently pleading with them for help. How could she get out of this? Answers weren’t coming to her at all, and she feared what would happen if she left with Alex.

“I—I—” She swallowed hard and looked at Trey again. Confusion clouded his blue eyes as his gaze switched between her and the betrothal document.

“Alex,” she begged, “you don’t understand. I cannot leave with you.”

“What’s not to understand? You are mine. Not theirs. We belong together.”

Tears swam in her eyes and she turned to Trey one more time for help. But there was no help available. Nothing could be done. The false document said it all. If she didn’t leave with Alex now, her name would be ruined, along with the dowager’s. Judith couldn’t do that to her guardian. Not after everything the woman had done for her.

Nodding, she ducked her head and took a step toward Alex, but suddenly, a firm hand grasped her arm, stopping her. She swung her gaze to Trey.

“No,” he said loudly. “I cannot allow her to leave with you, Mr. Cutler.”

“Why not?”
Alex snapped.

“Because she has broken the betrothal.”

Alex’s eyes widened. “And how, may I ask, did she do that?”

“She…” Trey’s deep stare penetrated her, his jaw hardened as his lips thinned into a line. He lifted his chin and met Alex’s stare. “Miss Faraday and I were alone together quite a few times since she’s been here. I’m a rogue, Mr. Cutler. Need I say more?”

Judith lost her breath. Yet her heart pounded with excitement. Why did he say that? He hinted to everyone that they’d been intimate. Did he know he’d have to marry her now? And worse, would he blame her for trying to trap him?

Another loud groan came from the dowager as she covered her face with her hands. Gasps ricocheted off the walls and whispers filled the room and grew louder by the second.

Alex’s eyes widened and his mouth dropped open. “Is this true? Were you intimate with him?”

She nodded, trying not to smile and let everyone know how pleased she was that Trey saved her. “Yes.”

Trey ripped the betrothal document in three pieces and shoved them at Alex’s chest. “Now take this and get off my mother’s property before I call in the guards and have you arrested.”

Alex glared at Trey,
then
turned his fiery eyes on her. “Mark my words, this is not over.” With that, he turned and marched out of the house.

Standing still, she dared not glance around the room. All eyes were on her and Trey. Heated accusation glares nearly pierced through her.

Cautiously, she looked at Trey. His attention was aimed at the floor as he swiped his fingers through his hair. Several earth-shattering moments passed before he lifted his gaze to hers. She couldn’t read his expression. His eyes were wide, and his mouth still pinched in irritation. He looked as helpless as she felt.

He turned quickly and walked to his mother. Judith couldn’t hear what was being said, but it was obvious by the older woman’s swollen moist eyes and red nose, she wasn’t taking the news very well.

Groaning, Judith rubbed her forehead.
All of this because of her foolish mistakes.
What would happen to her life now? How could she make up for everything she’d done? She glanced at Trey who wouldn’t meet her eyes. Did he think she trapped him? That had to be the reason for his actions.

The walls closed in on her, making it difficult for her to breathe. She pushed through the crowd—who parted quickly—and hurried out of the ballroom just for fresh air. Once she reached the stairs, she headed for her room as fast as her feet would take her.

Tears flooded her eyes and streamed down her cheeks before she reached her room. As she ran inside and closed the door behind her, a sob caught in her throat. Her knees buckled beneath her, and she sank to the floor and cried.

Judith remained in her bed curled on her side as she stared at the wall. The day had passed slowly, and she’d slept most of it. Meals had been brought to her. She ignored the food. How could she eat when her world had tumbled down around her?

Nobody came to her room to see to her welfare. That was fine. She knew she’d severed ties with the Worthington family whether she had wanted to or not. Strange to think how she’d wanted to get away from them when she first arrived, and now she didn’t want to leave.