Page 86 of Reforming the Rakish Marquess

“Yes, Papa,” she replied. “More than ready.”

Her father believed she had been staying at Marina’s until everyone arrived for the ceremony. Her choice of husband troubled her parents. Given all of the gossip about Jude in the scandal sheets, she couldn’t blame them for questioning if he would be a faithful husband to her. He seemed to have won them over from his professions of love, and it only made her love him more.

The rest of their friends had all been able to attend, which delighted both her and Jude. Their friends had become like family, given that among all of them, Juliana and Tabitha were the only ones who still had both of her parents.

Aside from Matt, each of them dropped their jaw in shock when they learnt the news. He gave her a big hug and told her he was delighted for them both before giving Jude a hearty pat on the back. They were lucky to have such wonderful people in their lives. Everyone was smitten with Rose, and they all vowed to ensure the couple and Rose would not be shunned by society. Between all of their relatives and friends, most members of the ton wouldn’t risk the cut direct from so many influential peers of the realm.

Marina and Juliana each took one of her father’s arms and he escorted them to the carriage where they rode to the church. Juliana fought her blush, recalling her last time in a carriage. Jude struggled harder than she did when they played their game, and then they acted on what he described as soon as they returned home.

When they reached the church, her father handed each of the ladies down and then Marina walked ahead to alert everyone of their arrival and to take her place beside where Juliana would meet her beloved at the end of the aisle.

She entered the doorway to the church on her father’s arm and locked eyes with Jude, who beamed at her. His eyes looked glassy, and she choked down her own emotion as she moved closer and closer to the man of her dreams.

Her father placed her hand in Jude’s and gave him a respectful nod. He clasped both of his hands around hers, and she knew the electricity between them would never subside and would only grow stronger in their marriage over the years.

They said their vows, and when he kissed her, everyone in the room cheered. They signed the registry, with Marina and Evan each signing as their witnesses. Once everything was official, Jude escorted Juliana down the aisle and to await their carriage.

She beamed up at him, still unable to believe she would spend the rest of her life with him and their children.

“Something on your mind, wife?” he asked.

“Just thinking about what the scandal sheets will have to say about this. The rake has been reformed.”

He laughed and pulled her against him for a kiss, not caring if anyone was watching. “I arranged for the carriage driver to drive quite slow on the way back home. I intend to thoroughly play our game. Then we shall make our appearance at our wedding breakfast quite brief.”

She giggled and bit her bottom lip. “Well, perhaps not completely reformed.”

Epilogue

A few weeks later

“It’s a good thing you dress in a different room, or I might never let you get dressed again,” Jude said, leaning against the doorway to the dressing room in the marchioness’ chamber, watching her dress.

Juliana adored how her husband never seemed to get enough of her, since she would never get her fill of him. Since he’d been back in the country and assisting with manual labor for their tenants, his muscles were even more defined. The sight of her husband without a shirt was enough to leave her knees weak.

Unfortunately for her, he was fully clothed. “Is that so?” she asked while wearing only her chemise. “Will you ring for Bonnie? I am ready for her to assist me.”

He did as she asked and then focused his attention back on her. “I am far better at taking off your clothes than putting them on.”

After they married, they spent three full days without leaving their suite. Mrs. Jones kept Rose entertained so that they could have a bit of time together as newlyweds. Those days were among the best of Juliana’s life. It wasn’t just the pleasure they experienced together, but also the constant laughs and conversation. It was the closeness they shared, and the deep expression of love they had for each other. And Jude didn’t have a fitful night of sleep even once.

Since then, Juliana settled into managing their home and spending time with Rose. The three of them became a perfect little family. Juliana touched her stomach, imagining what it would be like when they added to their joy.

Jude rushed to her side. “Do you think you might be?” he asked, putting his hand over hers.

“I don’t know, my love,” she said. “My courses should have arrived a few days ago, but it’s early. We’ll just have to see.” She hadn’t planned to tell him until she was sure, not wanting to get either of their hopes up.

He kissed her temple. “Well, if not, I am more than willing to do my part to keep trying.”

She smirked and swatted his chest. “Good to know.”

“In fact,” he started, shifting her chemise to the side and placing kisses on her neck and collarbone.

“Jude, Bonnie will be here any second,” she reminded him, “and we promised to take Rose on a picnic.”

He groaned and righted the strap of her garment. “Fine. But I’m going to whisper wicked things in your ear until you agree to return upstairs with me.”

She licked her lips. “Promise?”