Page 81 of Reforming the Rakish Marquess

“Rose. My papa calls me ‘poppet,’ too. Are you here to see him?” the girl asked.

Her nanny entered before she could answer and noted Juliana’s presence. “I apologize, my lady. I wasn’t aware his lordship had a caller. She wished to see him.”

Rose nodded. “I wanted to show Papa this. I drew a picture of my pony.” She held up the piece of parchment, the pride radiating from her. Juliana couldn’t help but smile, seeing the man she loved in the sweet girl’s expression.

“This is quite good,” Juliana said. “I am sure he will love it. Do you already ride?” she asked the girl. Rose was the sweetest little thing, and Juliana found she already adored her.

Rose shook her head. “No. Papa said I could soon. He’s getting me a pony, so I drew the one I want.”

Juliana’s eyes welled with tears from such a sweet, earnest girl.

“Juliana, what are you doing here?” A familiar, rich baritone called out from inside the doorway. It caused her heart to somersault in her chest. She had been so focused on Rose, she hadn’t noticed him enter.

“Papa!” Rose ran to Jude, and he scooped her up into his arms. The simple action warmed Juliana’s heart, and one tear escaped. She quickly wiped it away. “This lady came to see you,” Rose continued. “She’s pretty and nice, Papa. I like her.”

“Yes, she is, poppet,” he said. “I like her, too.”

Juliana noted his voice was thick with emotion from his words.

“Mrs. Jones, might you take Rose to the nursery so that I can see to our visitor?” he asked.

“Of course, my lord. Come along, Rose.” She held out her hand to the girl as Jude set her on her feet.

Rose clasped it but turned back to Juliana. “I hope to see you again,” Rose said, before waving at Juliana and then skipping off with her nanny.

Juliana shifted her attention to Jude, who stared down at his feet. The silence hung between them. Her chest rose and fell as she awaited what he would say to her.

Chapter Twenty-Seven

Jude wasn’t sure what to say to the woman he had longed to see every day since he had run from London like the coward he couldn’t deny that he was. He hadn’t expected her to be in his drawing room when he returned, and he needed all of his concentration to keep from taking her into his arms. They still could never be, and he now knew he could never be in her presence again. The temptation was too much.

“Juliana,” he started.

“She is a darling girl, Jude,” she said, interrupting him.

Her words caught him by surprise. He wasn’t sure what he expected from her, but he assumed it would involve a stern set down, which he deserved.

He gulped. “Yes, she is.”

A few more silent moments passed. He couldn’t decide what he wished to say or even how to form any words other than how much he loved and missed her.

“Why didn’t you tell me?” she asked, breaking the silence. “Have you been hiding her this whole time? For years?” she asked, with surprisingly no anger in her tone. More sadness than anything else, which only hurt his heart even more.

“I only just learnt of her existence,” he replied.

“When?” she asked, taking a couple of steps closer to him.

His heart and body were far too aware of her presence, but he still couldn’t bring himself to meet her gaze.

He wouldn’t lie to her, though. Not after everything they had shared. “It was the last day we were together. After I returned home to prepare to join you for dinner.” He closed his eyes, hoping she would understand the situation and make this easier on both of them.

“Where is her mother?” Juliana asked, still no judgment or anger in her tone. She was far too good and kind for him, that was even more certain. He was right to not give her a choice.

“She died,” he said. “Mrs. Jones arrived with a note for me and Rose asleep in her arms.”

She took a couple more steps towards him and, as much as he knew he should step back, he couldn’t bring himself to do it.

“Why didn’t you tell me? Is this why you left?” she asked, a little more edge to her tone that time.