Page 61 of A Troublesome Circumstance

Josephine’s mother smoothed down her maroon skirts. “Thank you, my dear,” she replied curtly.

Ah. So Mother wasn’t fond of her either.

But Alexander, of course, noticed none of this. He took Lady Gwendolyn’s hand and raised it to his lips. “You look lovely this evening.”

“I do, don’t I?” she said with a soft laugh.

Josephine very nearly rolled her eyes. Of all the self-centered things to say…

The next set was announced, and Alexander kept hold of Lady Gwendolyn’s hand. “May I have this dance?”

“I was hoping you’d ask,” she simpered.

Josephine watched them walk away before turning to her mother. “Why is Alexander pursuing her?”

“Be nice,” her mother murmured.

“I was,” Josephine insisted. “But he could do vastly better.”

Her mother sighed, a look of sympathy passing over her features. “Just… be mindful. Your brother truly believes himself in love with her.”

“In love?” Josephine nearly choked. “The only thing Lady Gwendolyn loves is her reflection in a looking glass.”

Her mother let out a surprised laugh. “That is awful of you to say.”

“But wholly accurate,” Josephine pointed out.

Her mother composed herself. “She is not the woman I would have chosen for Alexander… but if she makes him happy, who am I to judge?”

A thought struck Josephine. “Who would you choose for me?”

“Oh, that is a challenge.” Her mother tapped her chin thoughtfully. “Perhaps Lord Rutland.”

Josephine stared. “Lord Rutland? He lost an eye in the war.”

“Yes, darling, but think of the blessings—his one good eye would never stray to another woman.”

Josephine sputtered. “That is terrible!”

Her mother only laughed. “Tell me, whom would you marry if you had complete freedom? A duke? A marquess⁠—”

“I do not care about titles,” Josephine said firmly. “I want someone I can love with my whole heart. Someone who loves me in return.”

Her mother’s expression softened. She placed a gentle hand on Josephine’s sleeve. “That is what I want for you as well. A life without love is no life at all.”

“How did you know Father was the one?” Josephine asked.

“Oh, that was simple,” her mother said. “He threw a rock at me.”

“He what?”

“Rendered me unconscious. When I awoke, he was hovering above me, completely pale with worry. And I knew he was the man I could not live without.”

Josephine furrowed her brows. “Why did he throw a rock at you?”

“He didn’t mean to. He simply had dreadful aim.”

Josephine shook her head, fighting a smile, then cast her gaze across the ballroom.