Page 16 of Reforming the Rakish Marquess

Fresh tea and cakes were brought in by a maid, who removed the remnants of the previous tea, taking with it the last of the evidence of Jude’s visit.

Juliana reached for the pot and poured a cup for Hannah, preparing it with cream and one sugar, then handed it to her. She then prepared her own tea, attempting to push aside the memories she couldn’t discuss with her friend.

“What brings you by today?” she asked Hannah, before taking a sip of her tea.

“No reason. I just thought to see how you were doing. You will attend the St. Clair Ball tonight, I assume?”

Juliana nodded. “I planned on it. I am enjoying being back out in society at the events, and I was going mad from being cooped up here.”

“Understandable,” Hannah said. “But how fortunate you are that Edward left the townhouse and a country estate for you. You might have had to return to your parents’ home otherwise.”

“My mama tried to get me to come and stay with her,” Juliana replied. “She didn’t like the idea of me living on my own, but I just didn’t feel like I could move back there. This is my home now. I appreciated you and Tabitha staying with me as much as you did.” She patted Hannah’s hand.

“We were happy to do so. I will visit as often as you like. I am still getting used to Diana and Marina now being married and having children, while the three of us are here enjoying the season.” Hannah tilted her head to the side and studied Juliana. “Do you think you shall ever wish to marry again?”

She certainly couldn’t tell her friend about her experience with Jude and how all she was interested in right now were the physical things that he would provide for her. She could understand why her friends had found marriage so appealing. “I haven’t given it much thought yet. I am sure I may consider marriage again in the future.”

Juliana wasn’t so certain if she would. She’d required love if she were to marry again. She already had the freedom of being a widow and enough money to live a very comfortable life. If her physical needs were met, there wasn’t much reason to marry unless she found herself unable to live without the person.

“Lygon seemed to pay you close attention,” Hannah noted, assessing Juliana’s response. “He is handsome.”

“Yes, he is. I am not sure that it is marriage that he seeks. As a widow, I attract different attention than an unmarried miss does, if you understand my meaning.”

Hannah gasped. “Surely, he didn’t suggest such a thing to you! How scandalous.”

Juliana laughed. “Don’t be too scandalized. He was kind about it and presented it more like a matter of business. I guess that is the way of being a widow.”

“Like you would ever consider such an arrangement,” Hannah snickered. “I am glad he isn’t pushing himself on you.”

The blush returned to Juliana’s cheeks. Her friend would be more than scandalized if she knew the truth of what occurred just a couple of hours earlier on the very settee her friend sat on. The thought brought a small smirk to Juliana’s lips. She had always been the quiet, reasonable lady of their group, always ready with a kind word. And there she was plotting all manner of sinful things her body wanted from the most notorious rake of the ton.

Drummond entered again. “My lady, a missive was delivered for you. I didn’t think you’d wish to wait for this one.” He handed her the letter.

“Thank you,” she replied.

He bowed and departed, while Juliana flipped the missive over to ascertain the sender. She stared at the name and frowned. Percival Jenkins, the new Viscount Gordon. The seal that had belonged to her husband made her miss Edward and tears formed in her eyes.

“Dearest, what is it?” Hannah asked.

“It’s the new viscount,” she replied. “The heir who inherited the title when Edward died. Since we had no children, the title went to a distant cousin.”

“What is the man like?” Hannah asked.

Juliana shrugged. “I’ve never met him.”

Hannah clasped her hand. “Are you all right?”

Inhaling a deep breath and releasing it, she wiped her eyes. “Yes. I just wasn’t expecting to see his seal. It’s still hard to believe he’s gone sometimes.”

She broke the seal and read the missive to herself, her frown remaining etched on her face.

“What does he want?” Hannah asked.

“I’m not sure.” Which was true. She wasn’t sure what this was about. “He just stated that he would be in town soon and must speak with me.”

Hannah’s brow furrowed. “What do you think is so important?”

Eyeing the missive again, Juliana shrugged. “I truly don’t know. The will was clear, and the marriage contracts were in place. Edward settled a large amount of funds in my name, as well as this townhouse and another estate which wasn’t entailed. Although I suppose I am still the dowager viscountess, so it must be some kind of estate matter.”