Page 122 of A Troublesome Circumstance

His father swallowed hard. “Then what am I doing, Jude?”

“You are doing nothing wrong,” Jude said firmly. “Mother is gone, but you’re still here. It is time you start living again—truly living.”

“It feels selfish.”

“Mother would want you to be happy,” Jude asserted. “Tell me… does Lady Redden bring you joy?”

For the first time tonight, his father’s smile was genuine. “She does.”

“Then that is your answer.”

His father reached for his glass and took a sip before speaking again. “Should we wait to wed until after you marry Lady Josephine?”

Jude stiffened. There it was—the reason he had come. “That is… what I wish to discuss.”

His father gestured with his glass. “Then talk away.”

Jude hesitated, gathering his courage. “There is an unflattering article set to be printed in The Morning Post tomorrow. About Josie.”

His father’s face tightened. “What sort of article?”

“It will imply that she willingly eloped with Mr. Broderick. To Gretna Green.”

His father lowered his gaze to his drink. “I see. And did she?”

Jude’s temper flared white-hot. “Good gads, no! How could you even ask such a thing?”

His father looked up, his eyes thoughtful rather than accusatory. “This complicates matters,” he said, setting his glass aside.

“I know,” Jude replied. “But I still hope… I still need your support to marry Josie.”

His father studied him, his brows drawn. “Have you thought this through?”

“I have, but⁠—”

His father spoke over him. “You would be marrying a ruined woman. A woman who will be given the cut direct.”

“I care little about that,” Jude snapped.

“You should,” his father countered. “I will support you both, but Society will not. The gossip will be relentless. Cruel. Even if the story isn’t true, the printed word will follow her for the rest of her days.”

“I will protect her.”

“I don’t doubt that,” his father responded. “But protection will not silence the world.”

“Let them talk,” Jude said, his jaw tight. “Come what may.”

His father held his gaze for a long moment, then nodded. “Then I wish you all the happiness in the world.”

Jude eyed his father warily. “Do you truly mean that?”

“I do.”

Relief softened Jude’s shoulders. “I feared you would insist I choose duty over love.”

“Perhaps that is the wise choice,” his father said with a tired smile. “But you have caught me on a rare good night. Just know this path will not be easy. I do not envy you.”

“What of your bill?” Jude asked. “If I marry Josie, the scandal⁠—”