Page 65 of Reforming the Rakish Marquess

She looked up at him through her lashes, and his heart did a full flip inside his chest.

“Different good. Although, I have always enjoyed our time together. You just seem different somehow. More at ease,” she said, running her hand along his chest. Matt had said the very same. He wore his mask for far too long.

He held her tighter, wishing he could freeze time and never leave from that moment.

“I have never felt more like who I am, who I wish to be, than I do right now,” he said. “It is all because of you.”

A single tear fell from his right eye, and she wiped it away with her thumb. “You never have to be anyone but who you are. Promise me you will no longer face the pain of your past on your own. Always let me help you, Jude.”

He softly kissed her lips before deepening the kiss. For a man who never took part in kissing women before, he found he couldn’t get enough of the sensation of kissing the woman in his arms.

Breaking the kiss, he pressed his forehead to hers.

“I promise.”

Glancing at the window and assessing how light it was outside, he determined they still had more than a few hours until dinner. He had something he must do immediately so he could confirm their future together.

“We have scandalized your entire household, my lady,” he said.

She laughed. “You may be correct on that point.”

Sliding away from her, he planted his feet on the floor and collected his clothing scattered around the room.

“I must take my leave,” he said. “Would I be too forward if I invited myself to join you for dinner?”

Juliana laughed again. She was irresistible with the sheet laid across the middle of her body and her messy hair draped over her shoulder. He fought every urge within his body to keep from crawling back into the bed with her and spending the next several days there.

“Would you join me for dinner this evening, my lord?” She smirked at him. “There, you have now been invited.”

“I would be delighted to join you, my lady.” He made a show of a flashy, over-exaggerated bow before continuing with the buttons of his shirt.

She didn’t move from the bed and watched him dress. Her gaze focused on him and continued to test his resolve to leave, but he must if he wanted to put his plan in motion to make her his wife.

Once he was dressed and had donned his boots, he approached the bed and leaned down to kiss her once more.

“I shall return,” he promised.

She cupped his cheek and pressed her lips against his again.

“Feel free to come early,” she said, giving him a playful grin.

“I believe I shall.”

He winked at her and kissed her forehead, forcing himself to depart. He did his best to watch for servants and try to minimize anyone else seeing his departure if he could help it.

Drummond nodded at him as Jude hurried out the front door, laughing to himself. If anyone was scandalized, it was definitely Juliana’s poor butler.

Jude returned straight to his townhouse and found Carter arranging some of Jude’s garments in his dressing room.

“I will attend dinner at Lady Gordon’s home tonight, Carter.”

Carter’s brows arched. “Dinner with the lady. My, my. Things must be getting serious.”

Jude laughed and patted the man on the back.

“More serious than you might be inclined to believe, my good man. I need your help in locating the family jewels. I wish to make a selection for the lady.”

Carter dropped the shirt he had been holding. Jude didn’t bother to hide his laughter. He’d rushed out of Juliana’s to ensure he had a ring in hand when he asked her to be his wife. He never thought he would see this day, and he wanted to give her the proposal and declaration she deserved.