Page 114 of A Troublesome Circumstance

“Nothing but the pleasure of your company,” Lord Rupert drawled, helping himself to a chair across from him. “And perhaps the story behind that murderous expression. I take it this has something to do with the lovely Lady Josephine?”

“Go away.”

Rupert chuckled, utterly unbothered. “Ah. Then I have indeed struck a nerve. Which means I am correct.”

Jude lifted his glass and took a long swallow, refusing to answer.

Rupert steepled his fingers on the table. “Well? Why are you hiding in the back of White’s like a wounded animal?”

Jude decided honesty was easier than continued evasion. “I can’t convince Josie to marry me.”

Rupert’s grin widened—infuriatingly. “I can see why that wounds you so deeply. Women have chased you for as long as I’ve known you. You’ve never had to do the chasing before.”

“You are not helping.”

“Was I supposed to help?” Rupert joked.

Jude set his glass down with a thud. “You don’t understand.”

“But I do.” Rupert leaned forward, lowering his voice. “I may be the youngest son of a marquess, but I’m not lacking in female attention. I simply don’t want any of the women who want me.”

Jude raised a brow. “I thought one had caught your eye.”

“She did. And she wants absolutely nothing to do with me.”

A humorless huff escaped Jude. “So you do understand.”

“Yes,” Rupert admitted. “But I am not in love with this girl… not as you are with Lady Josephine.”

Jude’s eyes slipped shut. Just the truth of it—spoken aloud—made his chest tighten. “I do love her. With my whole blasted heart.”

“And she still turned you down?”

He shifted in his chair. “I didn’t tell her that.”

Rupert stared at him, incredulous. “What did you tell her, then?”

“That I cared greatly for her,” Jude muttered.

Rupert slumped back in his chair with theatrical disbelief. “Yes, I can see why she didn’t swoon over that declaration.”

“Do be serious.”

“I am,” Rupert said. “Why didn’t you tell her that you loved her? That you can’t live without her? That your heart beats only for her?”

Jude rubbed his jaw. “Because what if she doesn’t feel the same? What if I push too hard and lose her altogether?”

“When you love a woman,” Rupert said, “you owe it to her—and yourself—to be honest.”

Jude shook his head. “I thought I loved Lady Gwendolyn once, but I was wrong⁠—”

Rupert cut him off. “Lady Josephine is nothing like Lady Gwendolyn. Frankly, I don’t know what you ever saw in that shrew besides her beauty.”

“She pales in comparison to Josie.”

A satisfied smile tugged at Rupert’s mouth. “We agree completely.”

“But none of this matters anymore,” Jude said bleakly. “The Morning Post is printing an article tomorrow about Mr. Broderick’s supposed elopement with Josie.”