Page 23 of A Troublesome Circumstance

Luca took a seat opposite him, regarding him with open curiosity. “You seem rather well-informed about your guest. You even refer to her by her given name, I notice.”

Jude paused, the glass halfway to his lips. “It was merely a slip of the tongue.”

“I see,” Luca said, with that irritating tone that implied he saw far more than Jude wished him to. “And how long do you intend to keep up this charade?”

“Until she’s safely returned to her family.”

“Remarkable,” Luca murmured, leaning back. “I am in awe that she has not recognized you. I suppose she wasn’t expecting to find the heir to a dukedom hiding away in the woods, pretending to be a servant.”

“No,” Jude agreed. “She wasn’t.”

Luca’s gaze grew thoughtful. “Charlotte will undoubtedly know of her. What shall we say to her?”

“I will tell Lady Josephine that you and your wife have arrived for the evening. That should suffice,” Jude said curtly. “But do speak to Charlotte. She will need to be discreet.”

Luca frowned. “Discreet, yes, but I still think you’re playing with fire. If you truly wish to protect the lady’s reputation, you should leave. Return to your cottage until she’s collected by her family.”

“I can’t.” The words left his mouth before he could temper them.

Luca studied him. “Can’t—or won’t?”

Jude set the glass down with more force than necessary. “I gave her my word that she would be safe. I won’t abandon her now.”

“Look around you,” Luca countered, gesturing towards the richly appointed room. “She is safe. There’s no need for you to stay.”

Jude’s jaw tightened. “You don’t understand.”

“I understand perfectly,” Luca responded. “You seem awfully protective of a young woman you barely know.”

“Leave it, Luca.”

“Did something happen at that cottage?”

Jude’s gaze snapped to him. “What are you implying?”

“Nothing,” Luca said with feigned innocence. “Merely that two young people, stranded together in the woods, might find… comfort in one another’s company.”

“Nothing happened,” Jude growled.

Luca held up his hands, all good humor again. “I believe you. But others might not. Rumors have a way of sprouting wings, and we both know how quickly they fly.”

Jude looked away, his pulse pounding harder than he cared to admit. “Then no one will ever know the truth of it.”

Luca’s smile turned wry. “They may not. But I think you know it well enough.”

Jude said nothing. He only stared into the flames, wishing that his brother’s words didn’t strike quite so close to the mark.

Rising from his chair, Luca said, “I will tell Charlotte⁠—”

A soft voice interrupted him. “Tell me what?”

Jude turned his head sharply towards the doorway. There stood Charlotte—his sister-in-law, radiant as ever, her blonde hair elegantly arranged, a pale green gown glimmering softly in the candlelight. She carried herself with that easy poise that made people underestimate her intelligence—a mistake Jude knew well enough never to make.

He rose and offered a bow. “Charlotte.”

She dipped into a graceful curtsy. “Jude. What a pleasant surprise. We had not expected to see you this evening.”

“Yes, well,” he said, straightening. “Circumstances have… changed.”