Page 127 of A Troublesome Circumstance

“You have no objections?”

Redden huffed, as though Jude were being absurd. “Why would I? Josephine won’t receive a better offer than you. You are heir to a dukedom. It would be a boon for our family.”

“Do you not care for your sister’s happiness?”

“I do care,” Redden shot back. “And I know she loves you. Is that not enough?”

Jude went still. His breath caught mid-inhalation. “How do you know that?”

“She told me over breakfast,” Redden said simply. “Did you not know?”

“No,” Jude responded, his heart pounding. “She said nothing. I… hoped she felt that way. But I did not wish to presume.”

“Well, it’s true,” Redden said. “Which is precisely why she’s convinced marrying you would ruin your life. She loves you too much to chain you to scandal.”

“But I want that marriage,” Jude insisted, fierce and unflinching.

Redden gestured broadly. “Then go tell her, not me.”

Jude didn’t need further prompting. He spun towards the door, and Rupert fell into step behind him. The moment they reached the entry hall, Jude barked orders at the footman.

“Bring two horses around. Immediately.”

“Yes, my lord,” the footman said, sprinting off.

Rupert glanced towards the darkened windowpanes, where the night pressed heavily against the glass. “Are you certain you want to ride after Lady Josephine at this hour?”

“I am,” Jude answered. There was no wavering in him now. “I can’t waste another moment.”

“Then we ride.”

Bootsteps echoed across the marble as Redden entered the hall behind them. “We always follow the same road to the country house,” he said. “We’re familiar with the coaching inns along the route. Most likely, they’ve stopped at The Nag’s Head for the evening.”

“I know that inn,” Rupert said. “It’s not far from London. If we ride hard, we can reach it in a few hours.”

Jude cinched his gloves tighter. “Then that is precisely what we will do.”

Josephine was out there.

And Jude would not rest until she was safely in his arms.

20

Josephine startled awake as the coach jolted to a halt. Her neck ached from sleeping upright, and for a moment she was disoriented—until she blinked and made out the familiar stone façade of The Nag’s Head, its thatched roof looking oddly quaint against the dark countryside.

Her uncle’s gentle voice pulled her fully back to reality.

“We have arrived, my dear.”

She straightened, rubbing her eyes. “I must have fallen asleep. Why didn’t you wake me?”

He smiled in that endearing, slightly mischievous way he always had. “Why would I do such a thing? You needed rest, and I am hardly a man to deny someone a blessing they so clearly require.”

The footman opened the door and set down the step. Uncle Leroy alighted first, then turned and offered his hand.

“Careful, the gravel is slick,” he warned.

Josephine stepped down, steadying herself before pulling her arm gently free and clasping her hands before her. The inn door opened, revealing the round, rosy-cheeked Mrs. Crockett.