Page 55 of Reforming the Rakish Marquess

“It comes to a sum of almost twenty thousand pounds, all of the man’s funds.”

Well, that explained why he asked for so much. He took advantage of the opportunity to seek more than he needed. He would overspend that and keep coming back time and time again until Juliana gave him everything. Jude could not allow that. He would not let her live in fear or risk her future.

“I need you to buy up all of his debt markers on my behalf. I need it done quickly and with no one aware that I am the one buying them.”

“That is a lot of money, my lord. Are you certain?”

It would be money well spent if it maintained the leverage that Jude needed to buy the man’s silence.

“I am quite sure. Can you and your men accomplish this today?” Jude asked. “I wish to act swiftly.”

“Indeed, my lord. I will see to it right away and will deliver the notes to you for safekeeping.”

“I appreciate it,” Jude said, rising to shake Mr. Stone’s hand. “There will be a bonus for you and your men as well.”

“That is most generous, thank you. I shall be in touch soon.”

Jude walked the man to the foyer and Abbott saw him to the door.

Jude returned to his desk and poured a glass of brandy, releasing a puff of air. He was grateful for the decent sleep he had from the previous evening, considering the taxing matters he must deal with to protect Juliana. Even so, he couldn’t stop the grin that formed recalling how perfectly she fit in his arms.

He reached for a few pieces of parchment and penned a letter, and then repeated the same letter again, sanding and sealing them all. The missives had been long overdue. He would release his mistresses, as the thought of being with any woman besides Juliana did not appeal to him in the slightest. He wasn’t certain yet what their future held, but he knew he wouldn’t be intimate with another woman, and no longer did he wish to heal his wounds in the ways he had previously.

A thought came to him, and he penned another short note, which he also sanded and sealed. Jude reached for the bell pull, and in a matter of moments, Abbott attended him.

“I have a few matters I’d like you to have a footman take care of,” Jude stated.

“Of course, my lord.” Abbott folded his hands in front of him and awaited Jude’s direction.

Handing the letters over, Abbott reached out and took them from him.

“I need these delivered to the addresses printed on each of the missives. There is no need to await a reply.”

Jude reached into his drawer and pulled out a bag of coins.

“I also need this delivered to the mews at Lady Gordon’s townhome as a reward for the aid they provided to me last night.”

Abbot took the satchel and glanced back at Jude, awaiting further instruction.

“The last thing I need is for a bouquet of pink and red roses to be delivered to Lady Gordon. Here is the note to include with the bundle.”

His butler’s smirk didn’t go unnoticed by him.

Jude had never sent a woman flowers before. He’d never attempted to court a lady, but thought he should do a bit more than sneak into her chamber at night while he figured out what his intentions were for their future, or more importantly, what kind of future Juliana desired. She was a wealthy woman with her independence intact. She may never want more than what they already shared together.

“I will have all tended to right away, my lord,” Abbott said.

“Thank you, Abbott.”

His retainer left him alone in his study to ponder what it was he wished would become of his future. He had spent so many years declaring he would never wed, and now it was at the forefront of his mind. Seeing Juliana every morning when he woke, her carrying his child, and a life of happiness he would never let himself imagine before. Worry crossed his brow for a moment, thinking of what bearing a child would mean for Juliana, and the risk to her health, after what happened to his own mother.

But that was a concern for a later time. He had bigger problems to face. Could he be a good husband and father? He always enjoyed children, and knew he could never behave as his father did to an innocent child. But did he have the courage to make such daydreams a reality? Could he let her love him as he believed he might love her?

Chapter Seventeen

The smile never left Juliana’s face the entire morning. It was a stark contrast to all the tears she spilled the day prior. She tried to remind herself that while Jude opened up to her and they enjoyed each other’s company, that didn’t mean that he wished for a future beyond what they had already shared. He had sworn never to marry, a fact she couldn’t let herself soon forget, which caused her smile to falter.

They had shared a tender moment the night before, but that didn’t mean that he would change his entire view of marriage in a single evening. She was merely glad he seemed much more at ease than he had before. Her heart hurt at the thought of him suffering such pain and torment at the hands of his own father, with no relatives to show him any care, only servants.