Page 83 of A Troublesome Circumstance

Alexander remained behind his desk, his arms braced upon it. Mr. Broderick stood opposite, fists clenched at his sides.

She strained to hear.

“… abducted… wife…”

Her breath hitched. Wife? Surely she misheard.

Suddenly, Broderick slammed his fist against the desk, making her jump.

“You lied to me!” he roared.

Her heart lodged in her throat. What had her brother lied about?

Alexander didn’t flinch. “No, I did no such thing. You made a mistake—not me.”

“You will regret this.”

“I don’t believe I will.” Alexander rose slowly. “Our business is concluded.”

Broderick sneered. “You think you are better than me.”

“I think no such thing.”

“No?” Broderick bared his teeth. “Your actions say otherwise.”

Alexander gestured towards the door with deliberate calm. “You may leave now, Alfred.”

“You promised me Josephine,” Broderick said, his voice low and shaking with fury.

Alexander huffed. “I did not. You acted without permission and nearly destroyed her reputation in the process.”

Broderick jabbed a finger at him. “You could have warned me she would jump out of a moving carriage! Who does that?”

“I imagine a woman who would prefer anything over being alone with you,” Alexander countered. “And you abducted her from a ball, you fool.”

“How else was I to get her alone?” Broderick growled.

“I don’t care,” Alexander stated. “Furthermore, Josephine nearly died in the woods. You didn’t even have the good sense to go after her, to ensure she was well. To protect her.”

“I couldn’t,” Broderick replied. “I was knocked unconscious during the carriage accident. I didn’t even see which way she went.”

“Well, it hardly matters now, does it?”

“You owe me money,” Broderick hissed. “You cannot simply cast me aside.”

“And you will get it—as soon as Josephine is married.”

Her stomach twisted. What?

Broderick’s shoulders tensed. “I could make your life very difficult.”

“You could,” Alexander allowed, “but you won’t. And you are fortunate I don’t send you to prison for stealing an heiress. The punishment, if I recall, is death.”

Broderick sucked in a breath. “You wouldn’t dare.”

“I wouldn’t cross me, then, if I were you.”

Broderick stepped closer, pointing at him. “I will make Josephine my wife. One way or another.”