Page 106 of A Troublesome Circumstance

“Not lately,” Uncle Leroy said with a mournful shake of his head.

A footman arrived then, placing a warm plate before Josephine. She reached for her fork and knife, determined to eat rather than dwell on her brother’s impending ruin. Nothing she said or did seemed to matter. Alexander would marry Lady Gwendolyn and doom himself to a lifetime of misery. She was certain of it.

Her mother’s voice pulled her from her thoughts. “Did Lord Pendryn say when he was to collect you for Gunter’s?”

“No, but it should be soon enough⁠—”

As if summoned, Dupree appeared in the doorway. “Lord Pendryn has arrived and is waiting in the drawing room, my lady.”

Josephine froze for a single heartbeat, then placed her utensils down very carefully, forcing her movements to appear calm, unaffected. “Thank you, Dupree. Please inform him that I will be there shortly and send for Martha to accompany us.”

Dupree inclined his head. “Very good, my lady.” Then he slipped away.

Josephine exhaled and pushed back her chair. “I should go greet Lord Pendryn. I would not wish to keep him waiting.”

A smirk crept onto Uncle Leroy’s lips. “But waiting makes the heart grow fonder.”

Josephine pretended not to hear him and rose gracefully. “If you will excuse me…”

To her surprise, her mother rose as well. “I will accompany you to the drawing room. I should like to give Lord Pendryn my regards.”

“Of course,” Josephine said, keeping her voice pleasant, though it tightened around the edges.

As they walked out of the dining room, her mother leaned close, her tone dropping to a whisper. “Alexander plans to sign the marriage contract tomorrow. We must find a way to break the engagement.”

Josephine halted, staring at her mother. “I thought you wanted me to be nice.”

“I do,” her mother insisted. “But I do not believe Lady Gwendolyn will make Alexander happy.”

“Neither do I,” Josephine said grimly. “But what can we do? Once the contract is signed, they are married in the eyes of the ton.”

Her mother’s expression tightened with determination. “Then we must stop it before that happens.”

“Do you have any idea how exactly to do that?” Josephine asked, keeping her voice low as they reached the corridor.

“No,” she admitted. “Not yet. But I will.” She lifted her chin in that familiar way—the same look she wore whenever she was about to marshal all her wits and charm to accomplish something impossible.

Josephine couldn’t help the small, conspiratorial smile that tugged at her lips. “Whatever you suggest, I am game.”

Her mother gave her a sidelong glance. “Even if it involves a bit of subtle manipulation?”

“Oh, Mother,” Josephine began, “I was counting on it.”

Her mother let out a soft laugh. “Very well, then. We shall put our heads together—after your outing with Lord Pendryn.”

Josephine nodded, excitement bubbling in her chest—part for Jude and part for the challenge ahead. “Then let the scheming begin.”

17

Jude sat across from Josephine in the barouche as it rolled smoothly along the street, the rhythmic clatter of hooves filling the silence between them. He kept his gaze trained on her gloved hands folded neatly on her lap, searching—desperately—for something clever to say. Something light. Something safe.

But polite conversation felt wrong with her. Too shallow. Too impersonal. She wasn’t a stranger or a mere acquaintance. She was Josie. And she deserved something real. He just had no idea how to begin.

Thankfully, Josephine saved him from his own awkwardness.

“Thank you for inviting me to Gunter’s,” she said, her voice soft yet bright with anticipation.

“It was my pleasure,” he replied, tipping his head with what he hoped was charm rather than nerves. “May I comment on how lovely you look today?”