The Sweetest Kiss (Brothers of Worthington Series) by Marie Higgins Page B

quickly.”
    Forcing herself to smile, she hurried to the older woman. “What is it, Your Grace?”
    “Your dance instructor is here. Is that not exciting?”
    “Extremely.” Judith tried not to dampen the dowager’s enthusiasm, although Judith had been taught by her mother and father how to dance.
    The reed-thin man in the center of the ballroom stood a good two-heads taller than her. His long face, and equally long nose, would be hard not to stare at. She bit her bottom lip, forcing herself not to laugh. He reminded her of a pelican.
    “Judith dear, this is Mr. Henry Teethers . He’s one of the best to instruct young ladies in dance. I’m quite certain you will learn much from him.”
    Judith curtsied slightly. “Pleased to meet you, Mr. Teethers .”
    When the man spoke, his voice squeaked like a young boy’s in the years before becoming a man. Once again, she tried not to giggle. Instead, she followed his instructions, pretending this was the first she’d been shown the dance steps.
    The dowager duchess sat on a cushioned chair against the wall, carefully poking the needle through the cloth sampler before pulling it out. Would she notice how quickly Judith caught on?
    “Splendid, Miss Faraday. Now, let me put some music to it and try again,” her instructor said.
    Judith scanned the room, wondering where the music would come from since there was no orchestra much less a harpsichord on the premises. Within seconds, Mr. Teethers cleared his throat and began humming a tune. His squeaks and squawks were worse than birds outside in a fierce hailstorm.
    Since she didn’t have to concentrate on her steps, she looked around the room again, noting the size and grandness, and especially the many chandeliers that hung from the ceiling. A few tapestries hung on the wall to give it more decoration. The dowager still looked engrossed in her sewing with her creased forehead and narrowed eyes. When Judith moved her glance toward the doorway, a familiar figure caught her attention and held it.
    Trey.
    He leaned his shoulder against the frame, his arms crossed over his muscular chest. Dreamy eyes followed her around the ballroom, and she couldn’t stop from looking at him. Shivers of delight cascaded over her, making her limbs weak. She couldn’t understand the affect he had on her.
    Heavens, he was handsome. Why couldn’t she think of him as the swine she’d met that first day? Was it because he’d admitted he was attracted to her? She couldn’t allow that to enter her mind. Her head was already full of doubts about Alex.
    Instead of listening to her instructor, she kept her attention on Trey, recalling every time he’d touched her and made her tingle. Would Alex be able to accomplish such a feat? And why in the world was she comparing Trey to the man she was going to marry?
    Her mind was in such a whirlwind of confusion that she didn’t notice she’d stepped on Mr. Teethers foot until he yelped and stopped humming. She snapped out of the spell Trey’s mesmerizing gaze had put her under. She focused instead on the man making hissing noises under his breath. “Please forgive me, Mr. Teethers . I should have been more aware.”
    A deep chuckle came from the doorway as Trey walked in, slowly clapping. “I see your pupil has learned quickly, Mr. Teethers . Indeed you are an excellent instructor.”
    The older man bowed. “Thank you for the compliment, my lord.”
    “Oh, Trey.” The duchess put her sampler aside and stood. “I’m thrilled to see you here. Now Judith will have someone else to practice with instead of Mr. Teethers .”
    “What?”
    “Pardon me?”
    Both Judith and Trey exclaimed their surprise at the same time. The dowager wanted Judith to dance with him ? Her heartbeat quickened and her mouth turned dry. No. She couldn’t get that close. Not now.
    The older woman motioned Trey closer. “Come dance with Judith to see if she’s ready for her ball.”
    Panic gushed through her, yet Trey’s tight