Chapter Nineteen
The sleepover with Hannah had been quite fun. Not as much fun as if Jude made a late-night visit, but it gave Juliana a bit of time to think while not distracted by the man’s perfect form and piercing eyes. She mustn’t forget those dimples, too.
She and Hannah talked about all the latest on dit, played the pianoforte and sang together, and discussed the latest romance novel they had both recently read. Before they knew it, it was after midnight, and they retired for the evening.
Hannah returned home after they shared a late breakfast together, in a far better mood than when she had arrived. Hopefully, that meant she wouldn’t argue with her brother as soon as she returned.
“My lady, Lord Demming has arrived,” Drummond said, showing Nate into the room. “I shall have the tea brought in directly.”
“Thank you, Drummond.”
Juliana rose to greet Nate, who bowed over her hand. She looked forward to filling him in on the dramatic change of mood she’s had since their last encounter.
“You appear in my better spirits today, my lady. I am quite delighted to see a smile on your face.”
She motioned for him to take a seat in the chair next to the settee.
“Things are much improved, indeed.”
A maid brought in the tea cart, and Juliana poured out for each of them.
“Does that mean your gentleman friend has come to his senses?” Nate asked.
“It appears he doesn’t wish to end things after all,” Juliana said, not bothering to hide a wide grin.
Nate clapped his hands together. “I believe I won our wager, my lady.”
She laughed. “It would appear so. Too bad we never declared the terms.”
“Your continued friendship is enough,” Nate said.
“What about you? Have you found anyone special?” She asked. “I know you loved Edward, but perhaps love will strike twice.”
He grinned. “Well, there may be someone of interest. But we shall see, as courtship is rather different given the situation.”
He looked at her wistfully, and his eyes glazed over with unshed tears.
She reached for his hand and clasped it. “Edward would have wished for both of us to be happy. I am sure of it.”
“You are one of a kind, Juliana. Truly.” He squeezed her hand. “What about your other matter?”
“I intend to discuss it with my gentleman friend when I see him, so we can make a plan to deal with the matter. I appreciate the information you have shared with me.”
“My lady, Lord Sandon, to see you,” Drummond said from the doorway.
Jude came strolling into the room.
“Juliana,” he said, before noticing she wasn’t alone. “I mean, Lady Gordon. I didn’t realize you already had company for tea.”
She watched his gaze land on their hands, and she released her hand from Nate’s.
“Lord Sandon, I didn’t realize you were going to stop by for tea. Please, come and join us.” She motioned to the seat next to her on the settee and instead, he took the chair on the other side, facing Nate.
The men greeted each other. She caught Nate’s gaze, offering him an apologetic smile, and he only smirked. It appeared her friend was quite aware of who Jude was and why he was calling.
“I just remembered that I have some business that I must attend to. Please forgive me, my lady.” Nate rose.
“I hope you will come to tea again soon,” she said.
Nate bowed over her hand and nodded to Jude. On his way to the door, Jude’s back was to him, and he turned and nodded his approval to her with a wide grin. Juliana smiled and shook her head, watching him depart.
When she shifted her gaze to Jude, he was watching her, wearing a deep scowl.
“Is something amiss?” she asked.
He clasped his hands in his lap. “I just came to tell you that you no longer have to worry about Viscount Gordon. The runner came through with information that will be helpful in ridding yourself of him.”
“What? How?” she asked. “Jude! That is wonderful news. I have also received information that will ensure he leaves us alone.”
He looked at her with curiosity. “What did you learn?”
“Well, the hypocrite also enjoys the company of men in his bed. And women.”
Jude’s expression shifted to one of genuine surprise. “That was a bold move to blackmail you.”
“Indeed. What did you learn?” she asked.
“He has numerous gambling debts. He spent practically all of his funds, believing that he would receive a much larger inheritance.”
Juliana huffed. “Well, that wasn’t very smart of him.”
“Seems he’s not the brightest among men. I think you have what you need to ensure he doesn’t bother you again.”
She gave Jude a wide grin. “Thank you for coming to tell me. Nate will be glad to hear of this, too.”
“Nate, is it?” Jude asked, the hurt and jealousy evident in his tone. “I apologize for interrupting your time with your gentleman caller.”
“Jude…” she started, before he cut her off.
“I should also take my leave,” he said.
He rose to depart, and she grabbed his hand. He was clearly upset, and she couldn’t let him leave without seeing what he was about.
“It isn’t what you think.”
He pulled his hand away. “You are on a first name basis with the man, and he seems quite friendly with you. You’re telling me that he isn’t interest in more than a polite conversation over tea?” His neck was red and flushed and noticed his hands formed tight fists while his jaw clenched.
Juliana laughed. She couldn’t help it. He had things so backwards and wrong. The silly man had no idea that she was completely and wholly in love with him, even if he was a jealous fool.
“What is so funny?” he asked, his expression showing no sign of finding anything about the situation amusing.
“Nate and Edward were in love.”
She paused and watched the realization wash over his face. He released the tension in his jaw and stared at the floor.
He closed his eyes, his face now red for a different reason. “My apologies, Juliana. Will you forgive my idiotic outburst?”
She grabbed his hand again, and he didn’t pull away this time. After a few moments, he finally looked at her and she saw what she believed was love and affection in his eyes.
She touched his cheek with her other hand, and his hand covered hers.
“How could I not forgive the man I love?” She said the words because she knew he needed to hear them. He had gone through too much of his life not knowing love, and it was time for that to change.
“What? What did you say?” he asked, his voice soft, and staring at her with an intensity that heated her entire body before he cupped her cheek with his hand.
She pressed up on her toes and brushed her lips against his.
“Make love to me, Jude.”