Page 59 of A Troublesome Circumstance

She cocked her head. “Do you believe I am unsafe in London?”

“With Mr. Broderick still at large? Yes.”

“So you intend to protect me wherever I go?”

He dragged a hand through his hair. “I haven’t thought that far yet. But the thought of anything happening to you—” His jaw tightened. “I cannot abide it.”

A shadow crossed her expression. “My brother doesn’t believe I was abducted. He thinks I tried to elope with Mr. Broderick.”

“I know,” Jude said. “I overheard the conversation at Ashmoore Hall.”

She stilled. “You overheard?”

“I did. And your brother was wrong.”

A breath escaped her, soft but full of relief. “I am glad that you believe me.”

He reached for her gloved hand, unable to stop himself, and gently lifted it between them.

“I will always believe you, Josephine.”

The moment her name left his lips, her eyes widened behind the mask. “You shouldn’t say my name, especially not here. Not now.”

He arched a brow, attempting lightness though his heart hammered. “I could call you Josie.”

She flinched, but not in fear—more like surprise softening into something tender.

“My father used to call me that,” she whispered.

Jude felt the tiniest ache pierce his chest at the vulnerability in her voice. “I could choose another name if you prefer⁠—”

Her fingers tightened around his. “No. I would… I would prefer that name.”

“Then Josie it is.”

A true smile—unguarded and radiant—lifted her mouth. “I am glad you’re here,” she said. “Though I do hope you won’t get into any trouble on my account.”

“Lord Luca is aware I am in London,” Jude admitted. “Perhaps not that I am here at the ball, but he knows I came.”

She exhaled a small, shaky sigh. “I will confess that I feel safer with you here.”

“Then my work is done,” he replied with a slight incline of his head.

He had barely finished speaking when a sharp, furious whisper cut through the air.

“What do you think you are doing?”

Jude turned and saw Lord Redden standing a few paces away, his eyes blazing.

Josephine snatched her hand back and stepped away as though burned. “I… uh…”

Lord Redden closed the distance in three strides and seized her arm. His voice was a low hiss. “I leave you alone for five minutes, and you are already cavorting with another man. Did you learn nothing from Mr. Broderick?”

“I was merely⁠—”

Her brother cut straight across her words. “I know exactly what you were trying to do. I can see it plainly.”

Jude stepped forward, refusing to let her shoulder this alone. “It was my fault entirely. I was the one being too familiar⁠—”