Page 30 of Reforming the Rakish Marquess

“Right away.” Drummond bowed and departed to do as she directed.

She glided through the hall. When she reached the drawing room, a tall, slender man stood staring out the window. He had a very different figure than Jude’s. The man was more lanky than muscular, but still a large figure.

“You wished to speak with me, my lord?” she asked.

The man turned to face her, and she noted he was reasonably attractive. His hair was a dark blonde color, and his eyes were also dark. He favored Edward’s coloring and features.

But she shivered when she made eye contact with him, unease building within her under his gaze. The man didn’t offer a smile or warm regard.

“Indeed,” he said. “You are Dowager Gordon, yes?”

She nodded, her throat growing dry from the coldness in his tone.

“Good. I am sure you are aware that I am now Viscount Gordon, and we have much to discuss.”

“Would you care to take a seat?” She motioned to the settee and took her seat in the oversized chair across from it. She didn’t want to risk the man seating himself next to her.

He took his seat and stared at her, not saying a word. He appeared as if he wished to intimidate her with the prolonged silence.

Unable to stand the quiet between them, she motioned towards the door. “Tea will be in momentarily.”

“I see,” he said, glancing at the door. “We shall wait until then to discuss matters.”

“Might you at least tell me what this is about?” Juliana did her best to keep her voice even and not give the man any indication of her discomfort with him.

“It is best that we wait until we are certain we won’t be disturbed.”

Juliana ran her hands along her lap, pressing out any slight wrinkles that had formed. The silence in the room was palpable, and she shifted in her seat from the discomfort.

Thankfully, one of her maids entered with the tea cart, so she might sort this out and get this man out of her house. The maid left and Juliana reached for the teapot.

“How do you take your tea?” she asked, doing her best to pour with the slight tremble in her hand.

“Just cream, please.”

His tea preparation reminded her of Jude, and she pushed the thoughts of him aside. It wouldn’t do to distract herself with mental images of Jude’s head between her thighs.

She prepared his tea as he requested and handed the saucer to him. She quickly prepared her own cup, deciding that holding something warm in her hands would help to ease her nerves, and hopefully distract her from thoughts of Jude.

Juliana took a sip of her tea and watched the man, waiting for him to speak. She decided she wouldn’t ask him again what he was here for. He would speak when he was ready.

“My lady,” he started, “my late cousin seems to have left you most of the funds and every estate that wasn’t entailed.”

“That is correct,” she said with some hesitation.

“You had no children to provide for,” he said.

“You are still correct,” she replied. “I am not certain what that has to do with anything.”

He set his saucer on the table. “It’s quite unusual, is it not?”

“I don’t think so, my lord. My husband wished to ensure I was provided for. It was settled in the marriage contracts, and I assure you it is legal.” He would be disappointed if the man hoped the will could be challenged or was not properly executed.

He frowned. “I’m well aware of the legalities,” the man practically spat. “I already attempted to challenge the matter, and it appears there is nothing I can do about it.”

“You have entailed estates, my lord. They should be enough to maintain a comfortable income.”

“It isn’t enough,” he ground out. “I should have been the one to receive all the money my idiot cousin settled on you.”