Chapter Nine #2
The man nodded and walked Jude back to the front of the building. Jude climbed into his carriage and exhaled as he sat back in his seat. There was nothing more he could do but wait or ponder what had occurred that morning with Juliana. He was loath to do either.
When he reached his home, he stepped down from his carriage and the hairs on the back of his neck prickled beneath his cravat. He glanced behind him and the carriage from before was still there. The older woman’s face appeared again in the window, meeting his gaze.
Jude started towards the carriage to ask what she was about, but she must have signaled her driver, because before he could reach it, the carriage was in motion.
Something about the whole thing made him uneasy.
Could it be related to Viscount Gordon? It had to be.
What else could it be? His thoughts immediately went to Juliana and affirmed his need to ensure she was protected.
He would never let anything happen to her.
After what occurred, Jude was too restless to enter his home.
He gave his driver instructions and boarded his carriage again.
A short while later, Jude was shown to Matt’s study at his townhouse.
He took a gamble that Matt would be home, and it appeared that luck was on his side.
Matt’s butler escorted him into the room and closed the door behind him.
“Good to see you, friend. What brings you by?” Matt asked, standing from behind his desk. He patted Jude on the back and motioned for him to take a seat.
“What can you tell me about the new Viscount Gordon?” Jude asked. It might be worthwhile to do some of his own investigation if it could aid Mr. Stone.
Sitting back behind his desk, Matt grabbed his decanter of brandy and poured them each a drink. He handed Jude a glass and leaned back in his chair.
“Why on earth are you looking into the viscount?” Matt asked.
“Can I trust that what is shared here won’t leave this room?” Jude asked, narrowing his eyes at his friend.
Matt leaned forward, his expression turning serious. “Of course.”
“I can’t share the details,” Jude started, “as they have been entrusted to me in confidence, but the man is attempting to cause problems for Juliana.”
“Has he done anything untoward to her?” Matt asked, obvious anger overtaking his tone, which was a stark contrast to the man’s usual jovial nature.
“No, nothing of the sort. But I must find out everything I can about him, and no one must know.”
Matt rubbed his chin. “I don’t know him, but I heard he frequented some of Minto’s gambling events.”
“That can’t be good,” Jude said, massaging his temples.
Minto was an earl who attempted to abduct Marina, who was also the wife of his closest friend, Evan.
Jude and Matt were among the gentlemen who helped Evan chase the carriage down to rescue her from the horrid man.
Minto was a blackguard of the worst kind and had faced the appropriate punishment for his crimes.
“No. It most certainly can’t,” Matt agreed. He drained the contents of his glass.
“Do you know anything else about him?” Jude asked. “I don’t think I’ve ever met him. At least not that I recall.”
Matt shook his head. “That is all I know. I don’t believe he bothers to circulate at the usual events. He probably spends his time in gaming hells and brothels.”
Jude lost himself in thought, recalling the woman in the carriage outside of his home.
“Is there something else?” Matt asked.
“It’s probably nothing.”
Matt set his glass down on his desk. “Why don’t you tell me anyway?”
“There was some woman watching me, or my home, earlier. Her carriage departed when I approached.”
Matt pondered what he said. “And do you think her appearance could be related to the viscount?”
“I thought so at first, perhaps, but it doesn’t seem to fit. The viscount wouldn’t know Juliana would discuss the matter with me, and why an older woman? Perhaps it was just a coincidence.” Jude said.
“You will let me know if there is anything I can do to help, won’t you?” Matt asked.
Jude nodded. “Of course. For now, I ask you to keep this conversation between us.”
“I promise, friend,” Matt assured him.
Jude drained the contents of his own glass and pushed it towards Matt for a refill.
*
Jude strolled into the ballroom at the Smith’s ball. He was fashionably late, as usual. He made it a habit never to show up to ton events too early, and rarely stayed all that long. It was part of how he kept up the illusion of being the rake that the ton believed him to be.
With so many of his friends in the country, he might have quit the events of the season all together if he hadn’t taken up the arrangement with Juliana.
He immediately spotted her standing with Hannah, Tabitha, and Matt.
Hudson stood nearby, looking irritated and bored as usual.
Before he reached the group, Lord Demming approached and escorted Juliana out onto the dance floor.
The annoyance that nagged at him from the sight of her with the man was something he refused to acknowledge.
Jude watched them take their places in the center of the dance floor as he reached Matt’s side.
“Good evening, ladies.” Jude bowed over each of their hands, just as was deemed acceptable. He had become an expert with manners and moving through polite society, regardless of the hopeless cause his father had always believed him to be. He pushed the thought out of his mind and nodded at Matt.
Matt leaned closer to speak where no one else might hear. “You appear troubled. Did you learn anything further?”
He shook his head. “Just pensive,” he replied. “Have a few things on my mind.”
Matt nodded in understanding and turned his attention back to Hannah to answer something she asked him.
Jude wasn’t paying attention and did not pay attention to hear what they spoke of.
He focused his attention on Juliana and her partner in the center of the ballroom floor.
He pretended to listen to his friends and laughed a few times when the others did, hoping they didn’t ask him anything.
When the dance ended, Jude waited for the man to escort her over to them. He wanted to tell her about his trip to Bow Street, and needed to get her alone. His jaw clenched when he noticed that the pair took an alternative path.
Juliana was smiling on his arm and seemed far too familiar with the man. He escorted her to the terrace, and Jude watched as they both disappeared through the doorway.
He turned towards his friends. “If you will excuse me, I think I need a breath of fresh air.”
Matt narrowed his eyes at him but nodded.
Considering Matt’s closest friend, Graham, wound up with a wife when he took off to the terrace, he could appreciate the reaction.
The situation at hand would be nothing like that.
At least that is what Jude had hoped. He wasn’t sure what he would do if he came across Juliana kissing another man.
The notion irritated him to no end and his jaw clenched.