Page 18 of Reforming the Rakish Marquess

His shoulders shook with laughter. “I’m aware of how a babe is made, Matt. I just ensure I am careful.”

“One can never be too careful in that regard, I should think,” Matt said, his tone serious.

The attendant brought their drinks, and they each took them in hand for a sip.

“Come now, Matt. These rules have worked well for me for years. They worked for Elias, too, until he allowed his feelings to interfere with his plans.”

“Exactly my point. Mark my words, one day you are going to fall hard for a woman. I should place a bet in the betting book,” Matt said, pretending that he was going to stand.

“Don’t you dare,” Jude commanded. “The last thing I need is the gentleman of the ton plotting to see me wed.”

Matt laughed. “I won’t,” he replied, “since you are my friend, but my declaration stands.”

Jude fought the urge to roll his eyes at the man. If his friends knew the extent of his aversion to marriage, they wouldn’t question his resolve. In the meantime, if he enjoyed visiting a beautiful, welcoming woman in her bedchamber, what could be the problem with that?

“Perhaps you are the one who has fallen hard, my good man, and have lost your head over a lady. Tell me who she is,” Jude joked, hoping to pivot this conversation towards Matt’s love interests.

“Nice try, friend,” Matt returned. “You are only leading me to believe even more that I am onto something. You always try to divert the attention away from yourself when you are hiding something.”

Jude tensed up. “Whatever do you mean?”

“You don’t think we noticed how you reacted anytime we asked you about your parents? Or wondered why you came home with Elias or me for every school holiday?”

“It does not signify,” Jude said, a little harsher than he intended. “My parents are dead and gone.” Then he downed the rest of his drink and signaled for another.

Matt’s tone softened. “I think it signifies, and I’ll listen if you ever want to talk about it, friend.”

Perhaps Jude hadn’t hidden his turmoil from his friends as well as he thought.

“I assure you,” Jude said, “I am well and good. My life is my own, and I am content with the company that I keep.” That wasn’t entirely true, but he wasn’t even ready to admit that to himself.

“The offer still stands,” Matt said.

When the attendant brought their next round, Jude immediately drained the glass. There were some things he would never discuss.

Chapter Six

Juliana didn’t bother to lie to herself about who she searched for as she watched the guests move about the ballroom. Jude was the only person she even cared to speak to. She watched the ballroom entry, waiting for him to arrive. She wished to ensure they had plans for him to sneak into her home that evening. Her body would rage against her if she didn’t sample more of what he could offer her. She attempted to remind herself that she could give herself the release she experienced at his hand, but somehow that didn’t sound as intriguing as seeing what he looked like without his clothing.

Her core heated at the mere thought, and she had to control herself while she stood in the middle of a ball, surrounded by polite society. She sighed in frustration.

“What is the matter?” Hannah asked.

“Oh, it’s nothing.” Her eyes darted as she sought a different answer from the truth. Her eyes landed on Lord Lygon. “I just thought Lord Lygon might ask me to dance.”

Hannah glanced over Juliana’s shoulder and smirked. “I didn’t think you were that interested in him, but I do believe he is coming this way, so you just might get your wish.”

“Oh?” Juliana turned just as Lord Lygon approached.

“Good evening, ladies.” He bowed, and his dashing smile would cause many ladies to swoon. “Lady Gordon, might you be free for a dance?”

“Of course, my lord.” She put her hand on his outstretched arm and allowed him to lead her to the center of the ballroom floor.

The dance was a lively country reel, so once the music started, there wasn’t much opportunity to speak, especially if one didn’t wish for the conversation to be heard. She laughed and danced, enjoying the distraction from watching the ballroom door for her delicious rake. Not that she thought of him as hers, but he was the only man she wished to have warm her bed at present.

Once the dance finished, Lord Lygon extended his arm to her and leaned close to her ear. “Have you given my offer any thought?”

She couldn’t tell him she was already engaged with another such offer. She paused for a moment to decide how to answer him.