Page 19 of Reforming the Rakish Marquess

“I am still thinking on it, my lord,” she finally responded. She could buy herself time, so she might come up with a more eloquent way to let him down.

He responded by pulling her gloved hand to his lips. “The offer still stands.”

She blushed and smiled at him. She couldn’t deny that the attention from such a handsome man boosted her confidence, even if she would never act upon his attention.

“I believe I am to partner with Lady Gordon for the next dance,” a familiar, rich baritone that melted her insides said.

Juliana gasped, not realizing that Jude had approached them. He didn’t wear even a hint of a smile on his face, and she noticed the clench in his jaw.

“That is correct, my lord.” Juliana nodded towards him. Then she returned her attention to Lord Lygon. “Thank you for a lovely dance.”

“Indeed, my lady. I hope you have a good rest of your evening.” He nodded at Jude before departing towards the card room.

Jude hadn’t taken his eyes off of her, and she shifted on her feet under his gaze. She wasn’t certain why his reaction had her feeling as if he had caught her doing something she ought not to have done.

“Did he do anything about which I need to speak with him?” he asked.

She waved him off. “Of course not. He is just being polite.”

“Hannah seems to believe you are smitten with the man,” he replied. “She is the one who pointed you out to me.”

Juliana shook her head. “I couldn’t very well tell her I was seeking you out, could I?”

He narrowed his eyes at her as they took their places for the next dance, which happened to be another waltz. His eyes never left hers when he wrapped his arm around her back and took her hand in his. The intensity in his gaze did something to her, made her think things.

“I promise,” she said, quickly, “it was nothing. And I would never make plans with another man while you and I have our arrangement.”

“So he asked you for an arrangement?” Jude ground out.

“I have already told you so,” she replied before smirking at him. “Are you jealous?” He had the tensed look of a man ready to plant a facer over such jealousy, and something about the notion thrilled her.

He loosened his jaw. “Of course not. I told you I would ensure the relentless widow hunters of the ton did not bother you, and I’m merely fulfilling that obligation.”

She wasn’t sure if she believed him, or if that was her own wishful thinking that Jude might desire her to distraction. Not that it would mean anything, just that a part of her wished to be the only woman that consumed his thoughts, at least the ones of a physical nature.

“It is my own fault,” she explained. “I accidentally caught his eye while searching for you. I hoped you might visit me this evening.”

Jude glanced at the dancers nearby to ensure their conversation wasn’t heard and lowered his voice. “Are you certain?” he asked. “The events of the afternoon didn’t leave you with enough to tend to your needs yourself?”

“Would you say that your needs were well tended?” she countered.

He faltered in his steps and quickly recovered. “That does not signify.”

“I believe it does.” She smirked. “Which means you might understand why I wish to experience more.”

He shook his head but smiled for the first time this evening. “Of course. And if you wish for me to visit tonight, I shall.”

“I wish to depart now.” Juliana was done with the pretense of being in the middle of a ballroom. It appeared her chamber would hold far more appeal.

Jude laughed, and it was his turn to smirk. “Oh, really? A gentleman honors a lady’s wishes. Make your excuses to leave. I will hang back and visit with the gentlemen for another quarter hour before I depart. They will assume I am headed to Covent Garden or somewhere of the like.”

“Sneak in through the mews to my terrace,” she said, “and I shall be waiting to lead you in.”

As the dance ended, he leaned close to her ear and whispered, “Somehow, all the sneaking around makes this even more fun.”

She bit her bottom lip and closed her eyes at the heat of his breath on her ear. “I quite agree,” she said before taking his arm to allow him to escort her back to their friends.

They didn’t speak again as they approached their group. Jude deposited her with Hannah and Tabitha and then leaned against a nearby wall to chat with Hudson. She fought not to stare at him, ogling the way the cut of his clothing displayed his masculine form. A form she would get to see soon, if she had her way.