Page 25 of Reforming the Rakish Marquess

Jude greeted the group and positioned himself so he could watch the remainder of the dance. He fixed his gaze on Juliana and watched the lord escort her towards them. Studying her face, he tried to ascertain if she welcomed his attention. She wore a polite smile, which wasn’t enough to predict her thoughts on the matter.

“Thank you for the dance, my lady. And remember what I said,” the devil of a man said, unaware that Jude could hear him. He kissed Juliana’s hand before taking his leave.

Jude edged his way closer to Juliana. “My lady.”

“Jude,” she said, “what a pleasure to see you this evening.”

She smiled up at him through her lashes, and something stirred within him. He disregarded the reaction. She was a beautiful woman. It was only natural that she filled him with desire. Surely, there wasn’t a man in this room that would be unaffected by her.

“Was he propositioning you?” he asked more harshly than intended.

She glanced in the direction Lord Knight departed in and then back at Jude. “Yes, and he has wandering hands.” She scrunched her nose. “Hopefully, I can avoid dancing with him again.”

Jude sighed. He couldn’t help but be a bit relieved to learn she had no interest in the man. But the realization turned to ire when he pondered what they wanted from Juliana.

She spoke again. “I wouldn’t say the same for you, though.” Glancing towards their friends to see if they were listening, she spoke again. “You will still come tonight?”

“I shall.” He winked at her, but immediately felt self-conscious about doing so. He couldn’t have her believing her harbored affection or that their arrangement was more than for physical enjoyment. “I’ll spend some time in the card room and then take my leave after you do.” Separating from her presence might have almost been as much for his benefit.

She nodded and then shifted towards Hannah and Tabitha to join their conversation.

Jude caught Matt’s attention and motioned towards the card room. Matt bowed to the ladies and joined him at his side as they both started in that direction. The pair reached the room and Jude spotted Lord Knight standing off to the side of the room, sipping a drink.

“Claim us a table,” Jude said. “I’ll be there in a moment.”

Jude continued forward and stopped in front of the viscount.

“Knight.”

“Sandon. What can I do for you?” the man asked.

“You can stay away from Lady Gordon,” Jude said, his tone brokering no opposition to the demand.

The man scoffed. “Because you want her? I didn’t consider her to be to your usual tastes.”

Jude grabbed the man by the collar of his coat. “Because she is a friend to me and my friends. She is respectable and isn’t for dallying with.”

“You don’t have a say in the lady’s private matters,” Knight challenged him.

Jude had never longed to plant someone a facer and the man was seconds away from having his face rearranged. “No, I don’t,” he said, “but unless you want cut direct from several titled peers, I suggest you find someone else. I am certain I could make quick work of buying up your gambling markers if you won’t see reason.”

The man’s eyes widened, and he held his hands up. “All right, all right. I won’t go near her.”

Jude released him. “See that you don’t. I’ll act immediately if you do. And if I read a single word about this encounter in the gambling sheets, I’ll buy up the markers, anyway.”

“I won’t say a word. Please, my lord,” Knight pleaded.

“Very well,” Jude said. “Perhaps you might like a visit to the country for a while.”

The man scowled. “Perhaps.”

“Have a pleasant evening, Knight.” Jude gave him a curt nod.

He turned from the man and crossed the room to take a seat across from Matt. His friend handed him a snifter of brandy.

“What was that about?” Matt asked.

Jude glanced at the back of Knight as he took his leave. “Oh, he owes me money.”