Chapter Twenty-Two
Four days later
Juliana paced her drawing room awaiting Viscount Gordon to attend her.
She had practiced what she would say to the man over and over in her head.
As tedious and exhausting as the entire situation was, it allowed her to push Jude out of her thoughts.
He was never gone long, always returning when she thought she might find a moment’s peace.
Since she wasn’t attending social events for the foreseeable future, Juliana hadn’t left her house even once in recent days.
She worried that Tabitha or Hannah would show up, so she sent them each a letter to inform them she hadn’t been feeling well but would be well soon and back attending balls with them.
The excuse would only work for so long, but she wasn’t certain when she would be ready to be out in society again.
She hoped the missives would placate her friends for the time being.
She hoped to hear from Marina any day, as depending on what her friend said, Juliana might retire to the country and quit the season. Nate called on her twice already to check on her, but neither of them brought up his offer of marriage. Marina’s advice would prove helpful as to weigh her options.
Juliana had stopped strolling through the gardens at her home, because her heart pained each time she passed the roses, recalling the flowers that Jude sent her before he ran away to the country.
Something still didn’t sit right with her about the way he left.
Perhaps it was her own wishful thinking, but a part of her couldn’t help but believe that something had occurred to cause him to end things the way he did.
She almost packed a bag and marched into his country estate to demand answers but told herself that was insane.
If he wished to be with her, he would. It was as simple as that. She wouldn’t beg the man to be with her. To love her. She’d finally gotten herself to stop crying over him, and if she was mistaken and he didn’t hold any affection for her, she didn’t want to hear him say the words.
In need of a distraction she ventured to the foyer to see if she had any correspondence in the tray. Her heart quickened when she saw missives waiting for her, and even more so when she saw there was a letter from Marina on top.
She took the letter and returned to the drawing room to await her guest. Not a guest, an unwanted blackguard, she reminded herself. Breaking the seal on the missive, she read it to herself:
Juliana,
Dearest, please come and visit me. I think a trip to the country would serve you well. You can meet Arthur and we can discuss matters in greater detail.
If you don’t come here right away, I just might have to come to town to see you.
See you soon,
Marina
Juliana giggled at Marina’s letter. Her friend would not take no for an answer.
She also couldn’t allow her to bring the baby to the town just for her.
Marina was right that the trip would serve her well.
Getting away from town would give her an excuse to avoid attending the balls and garden parties without the need to continue to fake illness.
Perhaps she wouldn’t return to town afterward and would just transition to her own country estate, where she can sulk away from the eyes of anyone else.
She would pen her acceptance as soon as Viscount Gordon had been dealt with.
Her shoulders sagged at the reminder of the man and her confidence faltered.
She drew a deep breath, reminding herself that she didn’t need anyone to handle the matter for her.
She had everything she needed to protect herself.
Especially with the kindness Jude had done for her in buying up the debt markers.
Juliana let herself overanalyze the gesture, and wondered why he would do so and spend such a large amount on her behalf if he didn’t care for her.
But perhaps he felt guilty for what had transpired between them and he intended it as a payment.
That would make her no different than one of his women of the night.
Clenching her fists at the notion, she let the anger build within her. Soon she would have a man before her she could take such anger out on without remorse.
Drummond appeared at the entry. “Viscount Gordon has arrived, my lady.”
“Bring him here, please. And position a couple footmen outside of the door, should I require assistance.”
“Of course, my lady.”
Straightening her shoulders and raising her chin, she prepared to face the man and ensure she would never fear him again.
The odious man strolled into the room with an air of confidence that instantly annoyed her. She rose to greet him, refusing to give him the satisfaction of pushing aside good manners, even though she despised him.
He gave her a flippant wave. “No need for the formalities. I am here to collect my funds, and then I shall be on my way.”
Juliana stood tall, grounding herself in place to free herself once and for all. “Then you will be sorely disappointed, as you won’t receive a single shilling from me.”
He stepped closer, and she didn’t move or flinch.
“Apparently you don’t believe I shall make good on my threats.”
There was an edge to his tone that spoke to the level of his desperation. He likely didn’t have any other means to generate the funds.
“I am of the belief that you do no such thing, based on the information that I possess.”
His confidence faltered for a moment, and then he narrowed his eyes at her. “Nice try, my lady. If you think to intimidate me, it will not work. Best to not waste either of our valuable time, and just give me what I demand.”
“Perhaps you didn’t hear me, my lord. You won’t receive any funds, and you won’t repeat what it is you believe you know.”
He scoffed. “What I know is quite true.”
“And the information I possess is also quite true.” Her confidence grew with each exchange, as his appeared to falter.
“Just what is it that you think you know?”
She locked eyes with him, not allowing his gaze to shift from hers. “Who you take to your own bed, my lord. It seems you shouldn’t throw accusations, when the fallout should I share what I know would be far more catastrophic for you than mere social ruin.”
He blanched as if she had struck him. “You don’t know what you speak. You have no proof.”
“You have no proof, but that didn’t stop you from making threats. But in this case, I have witnesses who would confirm what I know.” She wouldn’t really ask Nate to do so, but it wouldn’t come to that.
He took a menacing step towards her, but stopped a couple feet away from her. His expression bordered on insanity. “What if something awful should happen to you if you don’t give me what I want?”
She raised her chin and set her jaw, preparing to deal him the final blow. “Then every single one of your markers would be called in and you would go to debtor’s prison.”
“What? You? What are you saying?”
“Allow me to speak slowly so you might keep up. I am in possession of all your markers. Or rather, the solicitor is with instructions that if anything should happen to me or Lord Sandon that they be called in immediately.” She may not have a life with Jude, but she couldn’t allow any harm to come to him if the blackguard believed that doing so might scare her into giving him the funds.
Viscount Gordon’s eyes darted around the room as he processed each of her words.
Juliana continued before the man could counter. “You are going to retire to the country and tend to your estates. Do right by your tenants and take up your responsibilities as viscount.” She stared him down as if he were a bug to be squashed. “And I never wish to lay eyes upon you again.”
He opened his mouth as if he would speak and then shut it again. He repeated the action several times. “Very well,” he finally said. “It seems I have no choice.”
“Not unless you desire the consequences of continuing with your threats and blackmail.”
Drummond’s voice startled both of them. “My lady, Lord Wilton is asking to call on you.” Before she could decide how to respond, Juliana was surprised to see Matt crossing the threshold, apparently not waiting to be admitted.
Matt eyed Viscount Gordon and then focused his attention on Juliana. “Is everything all right?”
Juliana nodded. “Quite. Lord Gordon was just leaving.”
The man released an irritated growl that only Juliana could hear. “Indeed I was. Good day to you both.”
Lord Gordon hurried past Matt and Drummond followed him out of the room, likely ensuring that the man left without issue.
“Matt, what brings you by?” Juliana asked.
“Can’t a gentleman call on one of his friends?”
She motioned for him to take one of the chairs, and she took her seat on the settee.
“I just realized I have never called on you before,” Matt said.
She laughed, with a nervous edge to it. “I suppose you have had little reason to.”
“No, I guess not,” he said, appearing almost as if he were guilty of something. “Was something amiss with the viscount? He wasn’t bothering you, was he?”
Juliana contemplated how to answer such a question, knowing she didn’t wish to disclose the full story to Matt. “He is a bothersome man, but he shan’t be dropping by again.”
“And you are certain? I can speak with him if you need me to.”
Shaking her head, she replied, “No, that won’t be necessary. He will not return.”
He didn’t appear at first that he would let the matter go, but then surprised her when he changed the subject. “I noticed you haven’t been in attendance at any of the events this week,” he said. “I came by to see that you were all right.”
“I wasn’t feeling well, but I am feeling much better now.” She decided she should stick to the same story she had given her friends in case any of them compared notes.
“Well, I am glad you are feeling better. Does that mean we will see you at the Sheffield’s ball tomorrow night, then?” Matt asked.
She shook her head. “I’m afraid not.”
“Oh, come now, you know I need more friends there as a buffer for Onslow and me.” He laughed and took a sip of his tea.
She also laughed. Their feud was one of the biggest mysteries among the ladies. None of them, not even Hannah, knew why the two of them had a falling out years ago.
“I am sure you do,” she said, “but I am preparing to depart to visit Marina and meet baby Arthur.”
“So, they had the baby? Please send my congratulations.”
“Of course, I would be happy to.”
“It seems Jude also retired to the country for the season,” he said, focusing his attention on her as if to determine her reaction.
She gave a small shrug, as if it were of no consequence to her, which was a lie. “I wasn’t aware.” She was almost certain she didn’t sound very convincing, and yet another lie.
“Oh, I thought you two might have become closer friends this season. He left right around when you got sick, it seems,” Matt said, not looking at her this time and focusing on a piece of art on her wall. There was something questioning in his tone, though.
Juliana hated lying to him, but she promised Jude they would keep their business between the two of them. She was already going to break that by talking to Marina, but Marina already knew given that she encouraged Juliana to enter the arrangement.
After all that had occurred, she could at least spare herself the awkwardness of discussing such things with Matt. He could ask Jude what questions he had, and she might like the answers to those questions, too.
“Indeed, what a coincidence. How do you know he left? Is something amiss?” she asked, hoping she might at least determine what he had told the gentlemen.
He narrowed his eyes at her with a knowing look. “Jude wrote to me. He said he had estate business to deal with and wasn’t sure when he would return to town.”
“Well, I’m sure all is well, then.” She did her best to get the words out through gritted teeth.
Matt glanced at her but didn’t comment on her response.
“I do hope you have an enjoyable time visiting with Evan and Marina, and that you rejoin the season soon,” Matt said, rising from his seat. “Glad to hear you are feeling better.”
“Thank you, Matt.”
He bowed over her hand.
“Safe travels, Juliana.” He smiled at her, in a manner that she feared he might know more than he let on, and departed the room.
She released an audible sigh. Hopefully, whatever Matt suspected or believed he knew, he would leave well enough alone.
Rising herself, she started towards her chamber. She must prepare to depart before Marina showed up at her door. Her friend would help her sort everything out so she might determine what her future would hold and move past her broken heart over a certain rakish marquess.