Page 11 of Reforming the Rakish Marquess

Juliana released a small exhale and only hoped he didn’t take notice. “Wonderful. I look forward to it.”

The dance ended, and he led her back to their friends. She would have preferred to remain in his presence, but she was immediately asked to partner for the next set. At least the first step to enact her plan was complete, but the hard part would come tomorrow.

*

The next afternoon, Juliana paced her drawing room. She expected Jude to arrive at any moment, and she doubted her resolve to ask him to be her lover. The intensity of her desire hadn’t subsided, if anything, it amplified from being in his presence. She hardly slept last night, imagining what he could teach her and how her body would respond when he did so. The heat and tension failed to subside, and she fanned herself as she paced.

She desperately wanted an arrangement with Jude, but feared the embarrassment if he should turn her down. He wasn’t known to have ever dallied with anyone from society, and he may not see her the same way that she saw him.

“Lord Sandon is here to see you, my lady,” her butler announced. “Should I bring him here?”

“Yes, Drummond. I would like tea to be served here as well.”

After Drummond departed, Juliana folded her fan and set it on the table. She steadied herself and clasped her hands in front of her to greet Jude. They felt awkward before her and she wasn’t certain what to do with her hands. She was being ridiculous as she had been in the man’s presence countless times.

Drummond announced Jude’s entrance a few moments later.

“Good afternoon,” he said, bowing to her.

“Nice to see you, Jude. Thank you for joining me today.” She almost laughed at herself for how formal she sounded, knowing what she planned to ask of the man.

He laughed. “I could think of worse ways to spend an afternoon than tea with such a lovely, dear friend.”

“Indeed.” She tried to think of something menial she could talk about while they waited for the tea to arrive. “The tea should be here momentarily.” Apparently that was the best she could come up, and she motioned for him to take a seat.

“Of course. How are your feet today from all the dancing last night?” he asked.

She glanced at her slippers. “Quite recovered. At least all of my partners were graceful enough not to step on my feet this time.”

A few awkward moments passed between them, but then a maid entered with the tea cart. Juliana was thankful for the distraction, and for something to do with her hands, which she realized she had never agonized so much in her life about where to place them to not appear awkward.

After the maid departed, Juliana reached for the teapot to pour a cup for Jude. “How do you take your tea?” She realized she had never taken tea with him before, which almost made her laugh out loud. She wished to be intimate with the man and did not know how he took his tea.

“Cream only, please,” he said.

She prepared the tea and handed him his saucer before preparing her own.

“Is there something you wish to speak to me about, Juliana?”

She swallowed a bit too hard. “What do you mean?”

“Has someone done something?” he asked, leaning closer to her. “You seem nervous and a bit on edge, if I may be so frank. If someone attempted something, you needn’t be ashamed to tell me. I will take care of it.”

She waved him off, and found it funny that he thought he was the one being frank with what she wished to broach. “Oh, nothing like that.”

“Are you certain?” he asked, unconvinced. “You can tell me.”

“I promise. Nothing for you to worry about.” She took a fortifying sip of her tea.

He gazed at her until he caught her eye. “Then what is it? I can tell there is something. I assume that is why you asked me to come today.”

She opened her mouth to speak and closed it again. He arched his brow and nodded towards her, encouraging her to speak. She exhaled and set her cup down before clasping her hands in her lap.

“I’m not quite sure how to ask this.” She twisted her hands in her lap.

“Just say it. I don’t require eloquent words.”

She laughed, appreciating the release of tension that was building her body. “I…well…you see…” She paused and started again. “I am not certain I wish to marry again.”