Page 45 of A Troublesome Circumstance

“Josephine,” their mother interjected, “your brother does not think the worst of you. We are merely trying to understand what happened.”

She turned towards her mother, frustration welling in her chest. “There is nothing to understand, Mother. I was abducted. Mr. Broderick held a pistol to my side and forced me into his coach. He meant to take me to Gretna Green. If his carriage had not overturned, I might have been trapped in a sham of a marriage by now.”

Her mother gasped softly, one gloved hand rising to her throat. But Alexander only stared at her, unimpressed. “Why would Mr. Broderick abduct you?”

“I do not know,” she snapped. “Perhaps you should ask him.”

“I would,” Alexander responded, “if I had seen him since the ball.”

She let out an exasperated sigh. “Perhaps if I used smaller words, you would understand me more clearly.”

“Josephine,” their mother warned, her voice taut with strain. “Be kind, especially with family.”

“He is being impossible,” Josephine protested, crossing her arms.

“And you are not?” Alexander shot back. “You expect us to believe this tale when you were found comfortably residing at the Duke of Ashmoore’s estate?”

“I almost died,” she cried, her voice breaking with anger and disbelief. “If the gamekeeper hadn’t found me, I would have frozen to death.”

Alexander’s eyes narrowed. “So you were alone with him as well?” His voice rose in outrage. “Good gads, how many men were you alone with?”

Her chest burned. “Did you not hear me? I said he saved my life! Does that mean nothing to you?”

“Well,” Alexander said after a pause, “I am glad you are not dead—if that is what you’re asking.”

Josephine stared at him, her throat tight. “Why do I even bother speaking to you?”

Her mother’s voice, faintly desperate, broke the tension. “The good news is that no one noticed you leaving the ball early.”

Josephine gave a disbelieving laugh. “Leaving? I was abducted, Mother.”

“Yes, yes, that is what I meant,” Lady Redden murmured, looking flustered.

“I want Mr. Broderick arrested,” Josephine said firmly. “For what he did to me.”

Alexander scoffed. “If what you say is true, arresting him would ruin you. The ton would learn that you were alone with him in a carriage, and your reputation would be destroyed. Is that truly what you want?”

“I want justice,” she replied, her voice trembling.

“And I will not allow you to tarnish our family’s good name over what is likely a misunderstanding,” Alexander said.

“A misunderstanding?” Her mouth fell open. “He held me at gunpoint, Alexander!”

“I will speak to him,” he said, unmoved. “Until I have, I am taking no one’s side. Let us drop this.”

Josephine turned to her mother, her eyes stinging. “You believe me, don’t you?”

Her mother sighed. “I do, dearest. But we must proceed with caution. We cannot risk your reputation.”

Alexander made a derisive sound. “Not that it matters. Josephine has had three Seasons and failed to secure a match.”

“It only takes one gentleman,” their mother remarked.

“I am tired of paying for one failed Season after another,” Alexander said.

Josephine’s fury flared anew. “I have had only three, not thirty!”

“Two too many,” he muttered.