Page 75 of Reforming the Rakish Marquess

He grabbed a piece of parchment and pondered what he wished to say. He picked up his quill and began writing.

Evan,

Congratulations! I am elated for you and Marina. I look forward to meeting your son, and let us hope he looks more like his mother.

I apologize for my delayed response. I am back in Norfolk for the foreseeable future, so I hope we get to see each other sooner rather than later since you aren’t far away.

There are recent developments that I would like to speak to you about soon. Let me know when I might be welcome to come for a visit.

Sincerely,

Jude

Jude decided not to tell Evan the news in a missive, preferring to tell him face to face. He would determine a day he could call on them and would discuss the matter then. He’d have to decide if he would tell him about Juliana or not. Jude wasn’t certain if she would tell any of her friends what occurred and could only hope he’d have at least one friend coming out of the already painful situation.

Sanding and sealing the missive, he set it to the side and continued with the rest of his correspondence. He thumbed through, hoping that there might be one from Juliana, even if it was to berate him. But no such luck.

Chapter Twenty-Four

The dreams of Juliana still plagued him. It was the punishment he deserved for leaving her with the belief that he didn’t love her. That couldn’t be further from the truth. He might never get a full night of sleep again, and it would serve him right. Even though he had done the right thing by freeing her from being saddled with him and the inevitable scandal he would face once word got out about Rose. He knew he could only keep the matter quiet for so long.

It was the kinder course of action. She would find someone else who would be a pillar of society. The thought did nothing to ease his sleep, even if it was, in fact, what was best for her.

He finished his morning ride and peeked in at Rose in the nursery. She was stacking blocks as high as she could, and then giggled when they fell over. Her sweet giggle was almost enough to help him push the pain of missing Juliana out of his heart for a few moments. Almost.

Jude chose not to interrupt and started towards his study. Carter stopped him on the way.

“My lord, would you prefer your bath before or after dinner this evening?” He asked.

“After, please,” Jude replied. “I also need you to procure a few more pairs of riding breeches from the tailor in the village. He should already have my measurements.”

Before Carter could reply, Jude’s country butler, Miller, interrupted. “My lord, you have callers.”

“Who on earth would call on me here?” Jude asked.

Before Miller could answer, Evan walked up behind the man and straight to him. Jude embraced his closest friend. “Evan. What are you doing here? I’m glad to see you.”

They released each other, and Evan patted him on the back. “I hope you still feel that way in a few moments.”

“What? Why?”

“You better hope my husband calms me down before I get my hands on you,” Marina said, barreling up to the both of them. Jude cringed, almost certain what Marina wished to give him a stern set down over. Carter attempted to muffle his laughter behind him.

Jude directed his attention to Miller, choosing to ignore Carter. “We shall be in the drawing room, if you would send tea in for our guests.”

“Of course, my lord.” Miller bowed to the group and set off to do as he was asked.

“Come with me. It seems we have much to discuss,” Jude said, motioning for Evan and Marina to follow him.

“That is an understatement,” Marina said, her tone not boding well for him.

Jude caught Carter’s eye, and the man just smirked at him. He should be irritated at his valet, but he was well aware how much he likely deserved whatever Marina would have to say, assuming it was regarding the treatment of her friend.

Once they were inside the drawing room, Jude closed the door behind them, facing the door to brace himself for whatever his friends had to say, and how much he likely didn’t wish to hear any of it. Well, he hoped they were still his friends. Turning back towards them, they had already taken their seats on the settee.

A pang of jealousy hit Jude as if someone had thrown a rock at him, seeing Evan wrapping his arm around his wife as they sat. A gesture so familiar and comfortable between them, it had him longing for the life he had wanted with Juliana.

“What are you two doing here? Should you be traveling with baby Arthur so young?” Jude asked.