The Sweetest Kiss (Brothers of Worthington Series) (4 page)

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 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 some day 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 came 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’ 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.” He 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 opposite sides 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 Judith’s 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 I 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 hackles rose. She’d show him how she’d love to spend her time—giving him a quick lesson in manners. She nodded to the older woman, 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 the older woman 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 waist-coat. Handsome as sin, he was the devil’s own son, and she’d make him regret forcing her to come here.

~*~*~*~

Trey and Hawthorne retreated to the study for drinks. As Trey paced the Persian rug in front of the fireplace, Dominic sprawled in a brown leather chair before the hearth, leisurely sipping his brandy. Trey passed his friend a scowl. How could Dominic act nonchalant at a time like this?

“Hawthorne, you are not relieving my frazzled nerves any.”

A deep chuckle rattled from his friend’s chest as he crossed one leg over the other. “My good man, I do believe Miss Faraday has gotten under your skin.”

Trey stopped to face his friend. “That lady has certainly unnerved me, but it’s only due to her circumstance. Pray tell, how can I find a wealthy husband for her if she’s so adamant to marry this sailor I have yet to meet?”

Dominic shrugged as he took another sip. “Do not rely on me for answers. I have never been in this predicament before.”

“Mother must start right away on getting Miss Faraday properly educated.” Trey dragged his fingers through his hair.

“I thought your mother had entrusted that assignment to you.”

Trey growled, wishing he hadn’t taken the responsibility. The girl affected him entirely too much. He feared the only thing to relieve his problem would be to leave everything in his mother’s hands—or try to find Miss Faraday a husband. Unfortunately, the girl’s so-called fiancé was the problem.

Trey’s thoughts came to a sudden halt.
The fiancé.

He turned to his friend, grinning. “Hawthorne, I believe I have the solution.”

His friend quirked a teasing brow.
“You plan to marry the girl yourself?”

“Don’t be absurd, Nic. Why would I do something so insane and ruin my life? The solution I refer to is to locate the girl’s fiancé, and marry her off to him.”

Nic
straightened, eyes more alert now.

Trey chuckled, the idea taking shape in his mind. “I do not know why that thought never crossed my mind before. I shall find him so he can marry our dear Miss Faraday. Then my problems will be solved.” He walked to the fireplace and rested his shoulder against the edge of the stone hearth.

“It sounds plausible, although I believe you have overlooked one thing.”

“What’s that?”

“What if your mother does not approve?”
Nic
leaned forward. “What if the man is as poor as a church mouse and seeks her inheritance? Your mother will not want some fortune seeking oaf taking advantage of her ward.”

Trey exhaled a deep breath. Why could nothing be simple? “I never thought of that. Perhaps we should have this man investigated first.”

“And what if you discover something incriminating?”

“I will have no other choice but to hurry her lessons so we can find her a proper husband. After all, this is what her parents wanted when they awarded her to my mother.” He rubbed his hands together. “First, I must learn the man’s name.”

Nic’s
snort of laughter stopped Trey. Hawthorne shook his head as he stood and moved toward Trey.

“I fear you have forgotten one thing, Worthington. That girl is not going to provide you with any information. She loathes the very ground you walk upon. In fact, it makes me wonder what kind of liberties you took with her in the woodsman’s cottage to make her act this way.”

Heat washed over Trey at the memory of holding and kissing her. He wasn’t about to tell his friend about any of that. “She does not loathe me.” The girl doth protest too much, and Trey knew firsthand how quickly she had succumbed to his kiss.

“I assume you are oblivious to her glares.”
Nic
shrugged. “Then again, she probably only does that behind your back. My friend, I regret to tell you, I highly doubt you have made an admirer out of that particular woman.”

“As that may be
,
I shall find the man’s name and have him investigated.” He grumbled as he started for the door to his study, but stopped. Where were his manners to forget about his guest? “Hawthorne? Would you like the butler to show you to your room?”

Chuckling,
Nic
shook his head. “Why? It’s still early and I can return home. It’s only a few hours ride to my family’s estate.”

“I would greatly enjoy your company for dinner. I require help with Miss Faraday this evening. Besides, she needs the practice.”

Nic
cleared his throat, his eyes widening. “I beg your pardon. Practice in doing what, may I ask?”

“I need your help in assessing her educational background. For Mother’s sake, we need to see what exactly the girl was taught about social graces.”

“Fear not, my good man.”
Nic
smiled wide. “I shall assist, but by tomorrow afternoon, I must leave.”

“Splendid. See you at dinner.”

“What are your plans now?”

“To pour a little sweetness on my mother’s
ward
.” Trey wagged his eyebrows. “I will prove to you, I have not lost my touch.”

“Would you care to make a wager, Worthington? I never pass on an opportunity to make easy money.”