Page 51 of A Troublesome Circumstance

“I am,” Rupert insisted, though a grin tugged at his lips. “You want to protect her and that’s the surest way.”

“She doesn’t even know who I am,” Jude said, exasperated. “And her brother—Lord Redden—thinks she tried to elope with Mr. Broderick.”

Rupert arched a brow. “Truly? He blames her?”

“He does,” Jude replied. “I overheard him myself. He believes the worst of her.”

With a shake of his head, Rupert said, “That is strange, considering Mr. Broderick’s roguish reputation. I wonder what interest he has in silencing her version of events.”

“That’s what I intend to find out,” Jude stated. “When the time is right.”

Rupert leaned back, studying him. “And how exactly, pray tell, did you just happen to come across Lady Josephine in the woods?”

Jude hesitated, but only for a moment. He knew that he could trust his friend with the truth. “I found her in the stable beside my cottage. She was bleeding and her forehead was gashed. I couldn’t leave her.”

“Did you invite her inside?”

“I carried her,” Jude admitted quietly.

Rupert gave a low whistle. “If Redden had any sense, he’d be forcing a wedding this very instant.”

“He doesn’t know,” Jude said. “As far as anyone’s aware, it was merely the gamekeeper who found her and brought her to Ashmoore Hall straightaway.”

“And Lady Josephine is going along with that tale?”

Jude’s jaw tensed. “She is, because she thinks I am the gamekeeper for the Duke of Ashmoore.”

Rupert laughed outright. “You? A gamekeeper? How in the blazes did you convince her of that?”

“I didn’t need to,” Jude replied. “It was dark. I was in a shirt and trousers. When she assumed, I didn’t correct her.”

“Then she’s either blind or astonishingly naïve.”

Jude’s glare cut through the humor. “She is neither,” he said sharply. “She is intelligent. And kind. And she’d been through hell that night.”

Rupert raised his hands in surrender. “Calm yourself. I meant nothing by it. It is just astonishing to me that you could be mistaken for a gamekeeper. Your mannerisms alone should have betrayed you.”

Jude smirked faintly. “I can be convincing when I choose to be.”

“Convincing? You’re an earl, for heaven’s sake. You practically reek of privilege.”

“Is there a point to this?”

“No,” Rupert said with a grin. “I just enjoy irritating you.”

Jude looked heavenward. “Lovely.”

Leaning forward, Rupert’s tone grew inquisitive. “Tell me something. Why is it so important to you to keep her safe? Did… anything happen between you?”

Jude’s reply was swift. “No. I was a perfect gentleman.”

“Then you simply care for her,” Rupert retorted.

Jude swirled his drink slowly, delaying his response. “I can’t explain it,” he finally admitted. “She… unsettles me. Challenges me. When she looks at me, I’m not the duke’s heir, or a disappointment, or a duty-bound puppet. I’m simply—me.”

Rupert’s smirk faded into something almost sympathetic. “Then perhaps that’s what frightens you most.”

Jude glanced up, meeting his friend’s gaze. “Perhaps it is.”