Page 125 of A Troublesome Circumstance

“Yes… and no,” Redden answered.

“What the blazes does that mean?” Jude’s voice rose, panic sharpening every syllable.

Redden stepped farther into the room, lifting his chin. “Josephine departed for our country home nearly an hour ago.”

Jude stared, disbelieving. “You let her go?”

Redden looked upward as though appealing to the heavens. “It wasn’t as if I could stop her. She was adamant about being far away when the scandal broke.”

Jude began pacing the length of the study, his fingers curling into fists. “I need to go after her.”

“And say what?” Redden countered. “You botched your proposal rather thoroughly, if you ask me. Josephine is determined not to marry you.”

Jude stopped mid-stride, turning sharply. “Yes, but things have changed. The Morning Post will no longer be printing the story.”

“What?” Redden asked. “How did you manage that?”

Jude gestured towards Rupert, who still lounged in the armchair. “It wasn’t me. Rupert achieved the impossible.”

Redden rubbed a hand across his face. “Thank you.”

“I didn’t do it for you,” Rupert said.

“I don’t care why you did it. I’m simply grateful you did,” Redden replied.

Jude moved towards the door. “I’m going after Josie. You should never have let her go alone.”

Redden puffed up, as if insulted by the mere accusation. “She isn’t alone. My uncle went with her.”

A new voice came from the threshold, low and unmistakably grim. “And therein lies the problem.”

Luca strode into the room with long, purposeful steps. “I don’t trust Lord Leroy,” he continued without preamble.

Redden frowned deeply. “And what precisely do you base that on? He is my uncle, a man I trust with my life.”

“You shouldn’t,” Luca replied, crossing his arms. “He is unscrupulous. Many of the buildings he owns in the rookeries are in abhorrent condition, yet he still collects his rents. He preys on the vulnerable.”

Redden straightened defensively. “My uncle wouldn’t do that.”

“But you would?” Luca shot back.

Redden’s eyes narrowed. “What are you implying?”

Luca reached into the satchel slung over his shoulder and withdrew several folded documents. “I took the liberty of reviewing some of your financial partnerships. You are no better than your uncle.”

Redden’s face went scarlet with fury. “How dare you! You had no right to scrutinize my affairs.”

Completely unruffled, Luca continued. “The business you share with Mr. Broderick is filled with destitute housing and properties that should be condemned.”

Redden sputtered. “I don’t know what you’re talking about. My uncle handles most of my accounts. He assures me Mr. Broderick’s investments are lucrative.”

Jude lifted a brow. “Do you not handle your own accounts?”

Bristling, Redden replied, “I try. But I’ve always struggled with numbers. My uncle has helped since my father’s death.”

“Or perhaps,” Luca said evenly, “you spend too much time at gambling hells.”

Redden stiffened. “There is nothing wrong with gambling.”