Page 136 of A Troublesome Circumstance

He arched a brow, the look far too perceptive for her liking. “The truth, please.”

A sigh escaped her. “I still cannot quite believe Uncle Leroy would betray me. It feels… unreal. As if I’m recounting someone else’s nightmare.”

His arm tightened around hers. “I won’t let him hurt you again. Not ever.”

The conviction in his voice made her throat tighten. “I believe you,” she whispered.

His gaze drifted across her features until it stopped, predictably, painfully, at her cheek—the cheek Mr. Broderick had struck. Guilt flickered across his expression.

“I am sorry,” he murmured, his voice rough. “I should have protected you better.”

She shook her head. “You saved me.”

“But you⁠—”

“You saved me,” she repeated firmly. “And that is the truth.”

His smile returned. “I daresay you saved yourself.”

A laugh slipped from her. “We saved one another.”

They lingered, caught in a moment that seemed suspended in time—his dark eyes holding hers, saying everything he had not yet spoken. Then his smile faltered, dimmed with some unspoken emotion.

“Josie… I⁠—”

The front door opened, interrupting him, and the butler stepped out.

Jude stiffened. “Shall we get you off the street?”

Her heart dipped with disappointment. What had he been about to say? Did he feel anything close to what she felt for him?

Inside the entry hall, Jude turned to the butler. “Please send for Lady Redden⁠—”

“Mother!” Josephine called loudly towards the stairs.

Jude blinked at her as though she were a wild creature suddenly let loose.

She shrugged with no remorse. “It is simpler to call for her myself. Far more efficient. I know it is not ladylike, but it gets the job done.”

His lips twitched. “It is brazen—much like you.”

She gave him a smug little grin. “And it saves an extraordinary amount of time.”

“Josephine?!” her mother’s voice sounded from above. “You are home!”

Lady Redden flew down the stairs and wrapped her arms around Josephine with desperate relief.

“I was so worried,” she declared into Josephine’s hair. “When Alexander told me about your uncle… I hardly knew what to think. Where is he?”

Josephine drew back. “In jail. Along with Mr. Broderick.”

“Jail?” Her mother gasped. “Good heavens—what did he do?”

Josephine’s voice trembled. “He offered me to Mr. Broderick to cover his gambling debts. Uncle Leroy let him… take me.”

Her mother’s hand shot to her mouth. “Oh, my darling girl. I am so sorry.” Her gaze landed on Josephine’s cheek and darkened. “Did… did he strike you?”

“No,” Josephine said. “That was Mr. Broderick. But he received his comeuppance. I hit him with a branch. Knocked him unconscious.”