The Sweetest Kiss (Brothers of Worthington Series) (35 page)

“Splendid.” He lifted her hands to his mouth and kissed her knuckles.

“Trey?
Forgive me for asking, but were you and Dominic just talking about me?
Or more importantly, about Mr. Cutler?”

Trey’s body stiffened and his eyes widened. Behind him, Dominic hitched a breath, the sound spilling through the room.

“Now, my dear,” Trey said as he pulled her into his arms. “You needn’t worry your lovely head about what is going on.”

“Is it about Alex getting arrested? Did your solicitor find him and arrest him?”

“
Shhh
…” Trey placed his finger on her lips. “It’s like I told you, there’s no need to worry.”

Arching her eyebrow, she cocked her head. “Trey, you are purposely putting me off. I want you to tell me.”

Dominic cleared his throat and moved past them toward the door. “If you will both excuse me, I shall leave now.”

“Hawthorne, don’t go far,” Trey said, still holding Judith’s gaze. “We still have things to discuss.”

“As you wish.”
As Dominic left he mumbled something she couldn’t quite understand, and closed the door behind him.

Trey’s arms tightened around her, bringing her closer to his body.
“Alone at last.”

“Please stop, Trey. I want to know what is going on. I heard your raised voice from down the hall. I know something is upsetting you.”

He kissed her nose, then her cheek, and moved to her lips, but she pulled away before he could do anymore. She knew Trey well. He was trying to distract her. She wouldn’t let him win this time. “I mean it, Trey. I want answers.”

He sighed heavily. “Yes, the conversation Hawthorne and I were having
was
about Mr. Cutler.”

“Did Mr. Lewis find him?”

“No.”

She frowned. “So what’s happening?”

“Mr. Lewis has discovered other things about Mr. Cutler which he will investigate. Until my solicitor has solid facts, there’s nothing we can do.”

“What did Mr. Lewis learn?”

Trey shook his head as he caressed her cheek. “It’s very upsetting information and I don’t dare tell you only because we don’t know if it’s the truth yet.”

She scowled.
“Trey.
You cannot tell me this and leave me hanging.”

“You wanted to know, my sweet, so I told you.”

“But you did not tell me everything.”

He pulled away from her, turned and ran his fingers through his hair as he paced the floor. “Judith, I just cannot. It’s killing me inside, but it will be worse if the information I give you is false.”

Anger built inside of her, making her want to scream. She understood his reasoning, but it upset her when he didn’t want to be truthful with her. “Please, just tell me,” she pleaded.

He stopped in front of her and cupped her face. His blue eyes were dulled with worry as he shook his head. “This is the time you need to trust me. Trust that I know what I’m doing.”

Trust him?
Of course she trusted him. Didn’t she? Then why was her chest aching with doubts? She didn’t know what possible information Mr. Lewis could have gathered on Alex, but why did Trey not love her enough to be honest?

Trust runs two ways, and he wasn’t proving he trusted her.

Tears stung her eyes. “I trust you,” she whispered.

He took her in his arms again and kissed her neck before burying his face against her skin. Tingles ran through her, but the pain and doubt in her heart stopped desire from entering her body.

“Believe me, my sweet.
In due time I will tell you.
It’s just too soon to do so now.”

A tear slipped free and ran down her cheek. She quickly wiped it away before Trey noticed.

He lifted his head and kissed her mouth again, but she broke the contact and pulled away. “I’m tired. I’m going to lie down while you finish your meeting with Dominic.”

“All right.
I will come wake you when we are done.”

She nodded, turned and walked out of the room, hurrying down the hallway toward the side door. As she stepped outside, tears streamed down her cheeks. Marriage would be difficult between them at first, especially since they both needed to learn how to trust each other.

Trey had always thought he was right. She thought she was the one who had all the answers. They’d definitely have a lot of compromising to do. It hurt to think he wouldn’t tell her about Alex.

In the horizon, the sun began its descent, turning the sky a maroon tint. Billowy clouds hung thick, threatening a rainstorm in the near future, and the cool wind had picked up since earlier today, guaranteeing the storm would be coming soon.

She walked
passed
the flower gardens and into the gazebo. This was the perfect spot to sit, relax and think.
Especially now.

Tilting back her head, she closed her eyes and breathed deeply. Were her emotions on her sleeves due to her exhausted state?
Perhaps.
Of course her pending marriage took a lot out of her, also. If only they could marry quickly and get it over with. But the dowager wanted it to be a grand occasion.

Judith chuckled. Had Isabelle forgotten about the scandal created at her party two nights ago? Then again, it didn’t matter. The older woman had always wanted Judith and Trey to marry, so why not make it a big event?

Bushes rustled behind the gazebo. It couldn’t be the wind, because the sound was too forceful. Had a small animal been caught in the branches?

Investigating, she hurried out and cautiously walked toward the bushes, crouching the closer she came. She strained to hear any sounds of distress from a kitten, but only the howling of the wind pierced the air.

As she stood, the rustling came again, but from another direction. When she turned to look, the blur of a person dressed in dark clothes came toward her, holding up a blanket. Before she had time to scream, the covering was tossed over her as a rope tied it to her body. Her arms were imprisoned against her sides.

“Let me go this instance!”

The suddenness of it all caught her off guard and she stumbled. She braced herself to hit the ground, but sturdy arms wrapped around her, keeping her from going down.

“Who are you?” she cried out. “What do you want with me?”

She was dragged into the bushes and struggled with her kidnapper. When he didn’t answer, she screamed. The person stopped, stood her upright and shook her hard, which jerked her head back and forth violently.

“Listen, my dear.
I swear to you right now if you scream once more I will kill Lord Trey personally, and anyone else who comes to your rescue. Do you understand?”

She inhaled sharply.
“Oh, no!
 
Alex?”

“Yes, my dear. Did you miss me?”

Darkness surrounded her because of the covering. The heavy scent of horse stung her nose and made her gag. Her heart beat in a fierce rhythm. This couldn’t be happening. “Alex, if you let me go, I promise to have Trey’s solicitor stop investigating you. You will be free to do whatever you wish.”

A deep chuckle rattled through his chest. His head pressed against hers, and the strong scent of alcohol wafted through the material of the blanket.

“I told you once that you would be my wife. Do not doubt me again. Your lover’s life is at stake. If you want him to live, you will follow my instructions.”

“Please, Alex. Let me go. I don’t love you,” she sobbed.

He yanked her, making her stumble into him as he led them away from the estate. “You will change your feelings eventually. I have faith you will find the love we once shared.”

She didn’t know how long they walked, but her feet hurt and her body ached from his abuse. But she didn’t dare scream again. Alex was able to forge the betrothal agreement, so what else could he be capable of? She shuddered to think. Would he indeed kill Trey?

Finally, he stopped and lifted her onto a hard surface. She rolled on uneven boards. Broken pieces pierced her skin and she whimpered. Nearby, a horse snorted. It felt as if she’d been put in a wagon.

“Alex? What are you doing with me?”

“I’m taking you to our love nest.”

“Release me at once, Alex. I mean it.” It was hard to be firm with him when her voice shook.

He laughed. “I will remove the horse’s blanket as soon as we arrive at the inn.”

“What inn? Where are you taking me?”

“We are on our way to be married, my dear. We will stop at an inn to rest the night. By this time tomorrow, we’ll be at Gretna Green where we’ll be married.

~*~*~*~

Trey and
Nic’s
business lasted longer than anticipated. He told
Nic
to spend the night and they would continue their dealings in the morning. As Trey climbed the stairs to his bedroom, his heart wrenched with worry. It had hurt to see the pain of doubt fill Judith’s eyes, but he didn’t dare tell her the truth. Not yet. How could he tell her about the newest findings of good ole Alexander Cutler? Trey couldn’t.

Not when Alex was being investigated for murdering Judith’s parents.

Agony twisted Trey’s stomach. Her parents’ death was still too recent. Judith continued to mourn for them. Opening old wounds would be painful, and Trey couldn’t allow her to suffer in such a way. Not until they knew for certain if Alex had done the crime.

Trey stopped at her bedroom door and knocked softly. When no answer came from the other side, he grinned. She must be asleep. He’d wake her up in a very enjoyable way.

He opened the door and walked inside, but came to a quick halt. The bed was empty. Could she be waiting for him in his bedroom? He didn’t know why, but anticipation had him rushing down the hall and into his room. He stopped again when his bed lay empty, too.

Had his mother occupied more of Judith’s evening? He doubted it, especially because she was so exhausted when he talked to her earlier.

He left his room and practically ran down the stairs to the drawing room. Empty. He hurried to the dining room. Empty.

Growling, he dragged his fingers through his hair. Where was she?

“My lord?”

He jumped and turned toward one of his mother’s servants. The older man wore the black and white uniform, holding out a folded piece of paper.

“My lord, I was instructed to give this to you.”

Trey took the paper. “Who instructed you to hand this to me?”

“A man who came to the door earlier this evening.”

“Did he leave his name?”

“No, my lord.
Just this.”

Trey nodded. “Thank you.” He turned and walked into the drawing room as he opened the letter and stopped near a light to read.

“Dear Trey. I have realized how wrong I was about everything. I’m still in love with Alex and I want to marry him. Please know I never wanted to hurt you, but I must follow my heart.
Sincerely, Judith.”

Trey’s breathing stopped as he sank to the nearest chair. An invisible knife ripped through his chest, leaving him hollow inside. He stared at the letter, not believing what he’d read. She couldn’t have gone back to that man.

Numbness spread through Trey’s mind and body like icy fingers. None of this made sense. They’d been so happy last night and this morning. She’d told him she loved him. So why did she now change her mind? Was it because he didn’t tell her about Alex?

Angered, he crunched the paper in his hand, making a fist. Something wasn’t right. She loved him!
 
Why would any woman go back to the man who’d lied to her?

In a flash, the memory of Tristan and Lady Diana crossed his mind. Was Judith like Lady Diana? Had
Trey
been right about women this whole time and had a moment’s weakness around Judith?

He groaned as he dropped his face in his hands. It hurt to breathe. Hurt to think. Hurt to feel.

The shuffling of feet echoed from down the hallway. Voices raised and grew closer. He didn’t care. All he wanted to do was curl up and die. He wanted to get away from the pain this so-called love had brought him. The very pain his father had warned him about.

“Trey?”

Nic’s
panicked voice brought Trey out of his thoughts and he jerked his head up.
Nic
and two servants entered the drawing room. The upstairs maid wrung her hands just under her breast as she stood in back of Nic.

“Trey, something has happened to Judith,”
Nic
said.

Trey shrugged. “I know. She returned to Alexander Cutler.”

Nic
narrowed his stare. “What are you mumbling about? She didn’t go back to Mr. Cutler. She does not love him.”

Trey brought forth the crinkled paper. “Then why did she write this note for me?”

Nic
yanked it from his hands and skimmed over the words. “This is not her writing.”

Jumping to his feet, Trey stood in front of his friend. “How do you know? You don’t know her handwriting.”