Page 72 of Reforming the Rakish Marquess

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.”