Chapter One #2
She hadn’t expected to be propositioned her first night out back in society and wasn’t quite sure what to say to the man.
She would be lying to herself if she said she wasn’t curious about what occurred between a man and woman, and the men of the ton would expect she had already experienced such acts.
Who would think that a widow was still a virgin?
“I shall consider it, my lord.” She wasn’t certain that she would, but she also wasn’t certain that she wouldn’t. It was something to think on as she considered her future.
“If you are agreeable, all you need to do is send a note to my home and I shall call on you.”
She nodded. The dance ended, and he escorted her back to her friends. He flashed her another wide grin before departing into the throngs of guests.
Tabitha leaned closer to her. “You seemed to have an interesting exchange. Are you interested in the baron?”
“I’m not sure. He’s handsome, to be certain.” Not that she should rush him into her bed just because he offered. Or because he was handsome. There were plenty of handsome gentlemen.
“What are you two whispering about?” A familiar, rich baritone asked behind her. “Are you already stirring up trouble on your first night back in society?”
Juliana turned and smirked. Another example of a handsome gentleman stood before her, with a form that exceeded her previous dance partner.
His masculine features, deep chestnut hair, and grey eyes were enough to have every lady in the room take notice of him.
But when he smiled with his deep dimples, they swooned.
“Jude! Where have you been?” she asked. “We were wondering if you were going to show tonight.”
“I wouldn’t miss your first event back amongst the ton. I can break away from my scandalous lifestyle long enough to spend time with my dear friends.” He took her hand and placed a kiss on her gloved knuckles.
Jude had made it widely known that he vowed never to marry, and he never dallied with anyone from the ton, much to the disdain of the other widows of which Juliana had now joined the ranks.
“It feels like it has been far longer than a year,” Juliana said.
He extended his hand to her. “Are you free for your next dance?”
“I’d enjoy a turnabout the floor with you, Jude.”
Taking his arm, he escorted them out to the center of the floor. The strains of a waltz signaled Jude to wrap his arm around her waist, and she placed her hand on his shoulder. She had never quite noticed how firm his shoulder was, even given the many times they had danced together.
“It’s good to have you back out with us in society.” His tone was sincere.
She smiled up at him. “Are you saying you missed me, Jude?”
“Indeed. If all the ladies keep marrying and quitting town, soon I will have no one left to dance with at these events.”
“You are a handsome marquess. Surely you would find someone to dance with,” she said with a playful edge to her tone.
He chuckled. “You know better than that, my dear. I won’t take any of these ladies to the floor. Once you all marry off, I’ll just have to hope your husbands continue to allow me a dance or two. I’m just fortunate that Diana and Marina married two of my friends.”
“Well, you needn’t worry about me marrying,” she stated. “We can keep each other company.”
“Oh, come now, surely you won’t remain unwed at only one-and-twenty. They’ll be lining up.” He spun her around and pulled her back to him.
She couldn’t help but notice him in a way she hadn’t before. Suddenly, all of those masculine features were consuming her every focus. She had been aware of them and even giggled when they affected the simpering misses. “I needn’t be in any hurry,” she replied, shaking off her thoughts.
He seemed to contemplate her but didn’t speak right away.
His gray eyes appeared to shine in the dimly lit ballroom, and they were far more intense than she had remembered.
She wasn’t even certain she had noticed their exact color before that moment, and yet she struggled to break eye contact with him.
The intensity in his eyes sent shivers down her spine. She swallowed hard.
“You will tell me if anyone should act in an untoward manner, won’t you?
” he asked. His soft, caring smile accentuated his deep dimples.
Part of her longed to kiss each of those dimples.
She blinked rapidly at such a thought. Where had that come from?
She would blame Lord Lygon for putting such ideas into her head.
She glanced away from his dimples and refocused on his question.
“Are you going to serve as my personal guard?” She found she enjoyed flirting with him in a way that she hadn’t before.
Her gaze drifted to his hair, which was a tad longer than was fashionable.
If she could come up with an acceptable reason to run her fingers through his chestnut locks, she wouldn’t hesitate to do so.
She had the sudden urge to confirm if his hair was as silky to the touch as it looked.
What was happening to her? This was Jude. Her friend and the most notorious rake of the ton. Whatever she wanted for her future, she could be almost certain he wouldn’t want the same.
“If necessary,” he replied. “These men will pounce on an attractive young widow, and I wager that puts you at the top of the list.” He didn’t smile, and there was no tone of jest to his words.
She gulped and tried to keep from staring at his full bottom lip.
Perhaps she wished for a physical arrangement more than she realized, given the way her thoughts had turned.
“I will inform you if I should require your assistance,” she said, her voice breathier than she intended. She could only hope he hadn’t noticed.