Page 131 of A Troublesome Circumstance

“Stay still while you bind me?” she asked. “You are deranged.”

She tried to wrench her hands away, but he caught her wrists easily—his strength far surpassing hers. The rope looped around her hands, cinching tight.

“There,” he said, tightening the knot. “That should keep you.” He turned his head towards the window to shout up to the driver, “To Gretna⁠—”

Josephine did not hear the rest.

That split second—when he wasn’t looking—was all she needed.

She leaned back, bracing herself, and then kicked him squarely in the stomach with every ounce of strength left in her. He doubled over with a strangled oath.

Before he could recover, she twisted, wriggling, falling more than climbing out of the coach. Her bound hands made her clumsy, but desperation fueled her. She hit the gravel hard, scraping her palms even through the rope, but she forced herself upright.

“Josephine!” Broderick shouted behind her.

She did not stop.

She did not look back.

She ran towards the dark line of trees at the edge of the coaching inn’s property. Her boots sank into the soft grass as she reached the first shadowed trunks. Branches clawed at her sleeves. The night swallowed her whole.

She ran until the inn lights disappeared behind her and the only sound in her ears was her own ragged breathing.

Only then did she allow herself a single, terrified thought. Please—someone find me. Before he does.

Jude leaned forward in his saddle, urging his stallion faster with every pounding stride. His breath froze in the night air, each exhale a sharp reminder that time was slipping through his fingers.

He needed to see her.

He needed to know she was safe.

He needed… her.

Hours had passed in a blur of hoofbeats and dread, but at last The Nag’s Head loomed in the dark. It was a squat stone coaching inn, lanterns flickering weakly above the courtyard. Relief slammed into him so forcefully he nearly swayed in the saddle.

She’s here. She must be here.

And then—shouting. A commotion. A black coach stood with its door flung open, liveried footmen milling about, looking bewildered.

His pulse thundered.

He spotted a cluster of people near the side door with Josephine’s maid at the center, wringing her hands.

Jude yanked his reins and dismounted before his horse had even fully stopped. “Where is Josie?” he barked.

The maid spun, her face pale. “M-my lord—you are here.”

“Where is she?” he demanded again.

The maid lifted a shaking hand and pointed towards the dark line of trees. “She ran into the woods.”

“What? Why?”

“In the courtyard—I heard screaming—Mr. Broderick tried to abduct her—” Her breath turned shallow and broken. “I—I came running—she fought him—escaped—and fled.”

Jude stepped closer, raising his hand. “Breathe. Tell me everything.”

She pulled in several ragged breaths before continuing. “Mr. Broderick chased her into the woods. His footmen said so.” The maid’s voice cracked as she took a step closer. “You have to go save her. Please.”