Page 109 of A Troublesome Circumstance

“So you say,” Broderick murmured, smile widening. “But soon you won’t have a choice.”

The way Broderick said his words made Jude wary, fearful. “What have you done?” he asked.

Broderick reached as though to touch Josephine’s cheek. She recoiled instantly. His smirk only deepened.

“An article will print tomorrow in The Morning Post,” he said. “It recounts our elopement to Gretna Green that was tragically interrupted by a carriage accident.”

Josephine’s mouth fell open. “That is entirely untrue.” She lowered her voice. “You abducted me and you know it.”

“Did I?” Broderick replied, his eyes gleaming. “Funny… I recall you being quite eager.”

Jude’s jaw clenched. “Dare I ask how The Morning Post learned of this tale?”

“I told them,” Broderick said, placing a hand dramatically over his heart. “They were delighted.”

Josephine’s expression twisted with disbelief. “Why would you do such a thing?”

“Is it not obvious?” Broderick asked. “I love you. And I intend to make you my wife.”

“Well, then you will be disappointed,” Josie bit out.

Broderick leaned closer, lowering his voice. “I don’t think so. Once the article prints, who will want you?”

“I will,” Jude said without hesitation, the words bursting from his chest before he could think to soften them.

Broderick turned, amused. “Will you? And what of your dear father?”

“What of him?” Jude asked.

Broderick’s eyes glinted maliciously. “Is he willing to risk his reputation—and his precious bill in Parliament—by allowing his son to marry a scandal-ridden chit? Especially when he is pursuing Lady Redden?”

Jude’s hands balled into fists so tight his knuckles burned. “Leave. Now.”

“Do you speak for Lady Josephine?” Broderick asked.

She lifted her chin. “I speak for myself. Go away.”

Broderick met Jude’s glare one last time. “Enjoy my wife… for now.” Then he whistled a jaunty tune as he sauntered off through the queue of carriages.

The moment he disappeared, Josie exhaled shakily. “That man is vile.”

Jude reached for her hand without thinking, enveloping it tightly in his own. “I will keep you safe.”

Josephine’s eyes glistened with unshed tears. “When that article is printed tomorrow, I will be ruined. Everyone will believe I willingly eloped with him. It won’t matter that I was abducted. I was in a carriage alone with him.”

“We will fix this,” Jude vowed. “We will find a way.”

“How?” she whispered.

“I will go to The Morning Post and demand they kill the article⁠—”

She shook her head. “It won’t work.”

“Then I will pay them off,” he said, tightening his grip on her hand. “I will bury it. I will make it disappear. It will work.”

Tears pooled again in her eyes, but she blinked them back fiercely. “I won’t marry Mr. Broderick. But perhaps… perhaps it is best if I retire from London.”

“No.” His voice was sharp, almost panicked. “That is not the solution. You must stay here. With me.”