Page 103 of A Troublesome Circumstance

To Jude’s surprise—and mild irritation—Luca burst into laughter. “Who would have imagined a young woman turning you down? Women have been tripping over themselves for years trying to capture your regard.”

“Apparently,” Jude muttered, “I have stumbled across the one woman immune to my charms.”

Luca sobered slightly, studying him. “What do you intend to do about it?”

Jude didn’t need to think. He already knew the answer. “I have no intention of letting her go. If that is what you are asking.”

“Good,” Luca said. “But do try to marry her before Father marries. I have five pounds riding on it.”

“You bet on it?” Jude asked.

Charlotte raised a hand. “I couldn’t pass up such a sure bet.”

“You two are impossible,” Jude muttered, though a reluctant smile tugged at his mouth as he started for the doorway.

Behind him, Luca called, “Goodnight, Brother.”

“Goodnight, Luca,” Jude said without turning.

As Josephine descended the staircase, the soft jonquil folds of her new gown brushed against her ankles. She smoothed her palms down the skirt, nerves fluttering in her stomach. It was ridiculous, truly—becoming excited over a simple outing to Gunter’s. But it was not the destination that stirred her.

It was Jude.

She still couldn’t quite believe how easily she had let down her guard around him. Each time she allowed herself to be vulnerable, to show him pieces of her heart she kept shielded from everyone else, he treated those pieces with such care that she felt… safe. Safe in a way she never had before. Safe in herself. Safe in what she felt.

She stepped into the dining room and found her brother at the head of the table, looking entirely too pleased with himself as he read the newssheets. Uncle Leroy sat to his right, already halfway through his breakfast plate.

Her uncle rose immediately when he saw her, offering a warm smile. Alexander, unsurprisingly, only inclined his head, barely peeling his gaze from the newssheets.

A footman rushed to pull out her chair.

“Thank you,” she murmured, settling into her seat.

Alexander folded down the top edge of the newssheets and met her gaze. “I am surprised you are awake so early.”

“It is nearly noon,” she pointed out.

“Yes,” he conceded, “but you returned home rather late from the Duke of Ashmoore’s townhouse.”

“It was hardly late,” Josephine replied, calmer than she felt. “We arrived shortly after midnight.”

Alexander gave a distracted, noncommittal shrug. “I see. I went out after Lady Gwendolyn and her mother departed.”

Josephine paused, lifting her cup of chocolate just as a footman set it before her. “You… went out?” She tried to sound casual. “Where did you go?” She had her suspicions, but she refused to confirm them—not unless Alexander chose to admit it.

Her brother frowned at her, as if offended by the question. “Does it matter?”

“No, I suppose not,” she said, even though it absolutely did.

Uncle Leroy cleared his throat pleasantly. “You are looking lovely this morning, my dear.”

“Thank you, Uncle,” she said with a smile as she set her cup down.

Alexander’s gaze slid over her dress. “Is that new?”

“It is,” she confirmed. “I had it commissioned for the Season, but I wanted to wait for a special occasion.”

“And what special occasion is that?” he asked, narrowing his eyes.