Page 104 of A Troublesome Circumstance

“I am going with Lord Pendryn to Gunter’s.”

Alexander went perfectly still. Then, as though deciding the conversation was unworthy of further attention, he turned back to the newssheets. “That is wonderful news,” he said dryly. He could not have sounded less sincere if he tried.

Josephine arched a brow. “Is something the matter?”

“It is nothing.”

“It must be something. You look troubled.”

With an irritated sigh, Alexander folded the newssheets and set them aside. “Lord Pendryn once pursued Lady Gwendolyn. He led her on, raised her hopes, and then abandoned her.”

“He hardly abandoned her. And they were not engaged. It was a mutual understanding—if even that.”

Alexander’s jaw flexed. “I worry that Lord Pendryn’s affections will wane towards you as well, leaving you a year older with no prospects.”

Josephine’s back went rigid. “Lord Pendryn and I are merely friends.”

Alexander gave her a pointed look. “Come now. You cannot expect me to believe that. There is clearly some affection between you.”

“Regardless,” she said firmly, “I am not expecting anything from him.”

Alexander turned to their uncle. “Will you talk some sense into her? She is nearly at her majority and husbandless.”

Uncle Leroy dabbed his mouth with a napkin. “We mustn’t push Josephine into anything she is unready for.”

“She has had her entire life to prepare for a husband,” Alexander snapped. “It is high time she uses those skills to attract one.”

Josephine gaped. “It is not as simple as⁠—”

Alexander raised a hand. “Take Lady Gwendolyn. She is kind, compassionate, refined—everything a young woman of Society should be.”

Josephine’s eyes widened with disbelief. “She is awful. Mean. Condescending⁠—”

“You are jealous!” Alexander exploded.

“Of what?” Josephine demanded. “She turned her claws on you the moment Lord Pendryn withdrew his suit. Do you truly believe that is coincidence? She saw her opportunity. You are a marquess.”

Alexander stiffened. “My rank has nothing to do with this.”

“It has everything to do with this,” Josephine insisted. “Would she love you if you were a penniless nobody?”

Alexander shot back, “And what of Lord Pendryn? Would you love him if he were not heir to a dukedom?”

Josephine didn’t even hesitate. “Yes.”

Alexander’s eyes narrowed to slits. “I do not believe you.”

She met his gaze steadily. “Whether you believe me or not, it is true. I would love Lord Pendryn even if he were a gamekeeper.”

The room went silent.

Alexander shoved back his chair, tossing his napkin onto the table. “Lady Gwendolyn loves me. And I love her.”

“Then do not let me stand in your way,” Josephine said with a wave of her hand. “I hope the two of you are deliriously happy with a horde of children.”

Alexander’s nostrils flared. “We will be.”

“Good.”