Page 59 of Reforming the Rakish Marquess

He took another drink of his coffee before setting the cup back on the table, taking only his newspaper with him.

Once he reached his study, he motioned for Mr. Stone to take a seat before taking his own.

“Please tell me you have been successful, Stone.”

The man grinned. “Indeed, I have, your lord. You are the owner of all of his debt markers.”

The man held out a leather envelope, which Jude took and immediately opened. He looked over the contents, pleased that he had in his possession what he needed to protect Juliana. He would go to the ends of the earth to ensure that no harm came to her.

“Well done, Stone.”

“Should you need anything further from me, my lord, you know where to find me.”

Jude reached across the desk and shook the man’s hand.

“I shall ensure my solicitor sends payment and the bonus we discussed, and I would appreciate your continued discretion on this matter.”

“Of course, my lord. I shall take my leave now.”

As soon as Mr. Stone left his office, Jude reached for the bell pull, to which Abbott appeared a few moments later.

“Abbott, please send a footman to fetch my solicitor and have him attend to me directly. Then, retrieve Lord Wilton and bring him here. He is likely at his townhome, or if not there, then White’s.”

“Right away, my lord.”

Jude looked through the debt markers again, relieved to be another step closer to ending the threats. While he waited, he read and responded to all of his correspondence, reviewed his latest report from his estate manager, and finished the paper before his solicitor, Mr. Henry Foulis, appeared in his study.

“Henry, thanks for attending me.”

“I only hope my next appointment won’t be too angry at me for being late,” Henry said.

He was a kind fellow, and Jude had been on a first-name basis with him for years. He was instrumental in helping him sort out his responsibilities after Jude’s father passed. His father never deigned to prepare his son for the title that he now held.

“I won’t keep you long. I have bought a large sum of debt markers, and I need you to make copies and ensure they are kept safe.”

Henry eyed him curiously. “Who are these markers for?”

“Viscount Gordon,” Jude replied. “The new one, that is.”

“I won’t pry into your business as to why you bought his markers, but I will do as you have asked and ensure they are kept safe, with an ironclad record of their existence.”

Jude knew Henry would understand what he needed to have done. “Thank you. I would like a set of copies to keep in my safe here as well, should I need to act quickly.”

Henry nodded. “Consider it done. Give me a week or so to do as you ask, and I will ensure they are delivered to you.”

“That is perfect. Thank you, Henry,” Jude said. “Also, if the Dowager Viscountess Gordon should ever need access to the copies, please grant it to her.”

Jude handed him the leather folder, and Henry opened it to glance inside before closing it back again. He eyed him suspiciously at his request, but didn’t ask any questions.

“Understood. Was there anything else?” Henry asked.

It was tempting to ask the man to work up the marriage contracts for him to marry Juliana, but he couldn’t do such a thing until they were both sure. Perhaps if he thought such things, he had his answer for what he hoped the future might hold.

“Nothing else for now, but I may be in touch again soon,” Jude said.

Henry narrowed his eyes, but then his jovial smile returned to his face. “Very well. I shall see myself out.”

Just as Henry was leaving Jude’s study, Matt came strolling in.