Page 48 of Reforming the Rakish Marquess

“I don’t know,” he replied. “I was attacked while I was on my way home. Your men here came to my aid.”

He finally looked up, and his heart pounded against his chest at the sight of her. She wore the dressing robe he had peeled from her body for the past several nights, and her hair was in its usual plait over her left shoulder.

“What are you doing up at this hour?” he asked, with a tone that he regretted as soon as it escaped his lips.

“I couldn’t sleep and came for warm milk.” She shifted her focus to her grooms. “Please fetch the doctor and the magistrate. I will tend Lord Sandon’s cut until the doctor arrives.”

“There is no need for all of that,” Jude said. “I am fine.”

She didn’t look at him and continued giving directions to her men. “Hurry. I will have the cut cleaned and bandaged before you return. I will also need you both to recount what you witnessed for the magistrate.”

“Juliana, truly, it isn’t necessary.” He attempted to stand up, but she pushed his shoulders back down.

“I say it is,” she commanded. “I won’t lose another person I care about because of a tragedy not of their own making, and who knows what infection the blade of that blackguard could cause you.”

He noted her voice caught on the last few words, and determined he wouldn’t fight her on the matter. Besides, she was correct about the concern for infection.

“You must remove your coats and shirt,” she said, looking over the supplies that one of her men had brought over to the table.

He did as she directed and set the garments on the back of the chair next to him. She dipped a cloth into the bowl of water and then began to clean his wound. He jumped from the pain of the cloth pressed to him. The cut was larger and deeper than he initially realized during the melee.

“What were you doing out so late on your own?” she asked, dipping the cloth in the water again and wringing it out.

“Just out for a walk,” he said.

“I see. It’s none of my business who you spend your evenings with, anyway.”

He noted the hurt in her voice at the words. She dabbed at his cut again.

“Are you trying to ask me something?” He believed he’d like to ask her for the same information she sought from him.

“I just said it was none of my business. I am certain you will take up with your previous partners now that our arrangement is done. Or perhaps someone new.”

She didn’t look at him when she spoke, keeping her eyes trained on his wound. Her touch was much gentler than her words would imply. He was inclined to find it unlikely that she had considered entertaining any other gentleman this evening, which gave him quite a bit of relief.

He opened his mouth to speak and closed it again, trying to find the words and courage to say what was on his heart.

Several silent moments passed between them, and she finally met his gaze. The candlelight danced across her face and he noticed the tear running down her cheek. His free hand cupped her face, wiping it away with his thumb.

“Juliana, I was not out with anyone, old or new, I assure you. I couldn’t sleep and thought a walk in the night air might help. That is all. I had a few drinks with Matt in my study earlier and went to bed.”

She finally met his eyes, her brow furrowed. “Did you have a bad dream?”

He contemplated his response, his hands shaking. “Yes.”

She set the cloth down before seating herself on one of his knees and wrapping her arms around his neck. He’d be lying if he said he didn’t already feel better within her embrace.

“Jude. You’re trembling.” She hugged his neck tighter. “You don’t need to bear this burden alone. I know something awful happened to you.”

He closed his eyes and buried his face in her neck. The scent of lilacs on her skin comforting him.

“I’ve never spoken of it before,” he whispered.

She pulled back from him and nudged his chin to meet her eyes, which he closed for a few moments before opening them again.

“Then do so with me,” she pleaded.

He opened his mouth to speak, and then voices sounded in the hallway. Juliana jumped off of his lap and resumed tending to his wound.