Page 25 of A Troublesome Circumstance

Jude stared at him. “That is utterly ridiculous.”

“What’s ridiculous,” Luca countered, “is that my brother—the future Duke of Ashmoore—is masquerading as a gamekeeper. And what’s more ridiculous is that Lady Josephine actually believes it.”

Jude bristled. “She has no reason to think otherwise.”

Charlotte stepped forward. “Just be cautious. Appearances matter, and one misplaced word could ruin her—or you both.”

Jude gave a stiff nod, though unease coiled in his chest. He could already feel the web tightening around him—the deception, the duty, the danger of wanting something he could not have.

And yet, he would not leave her—not tonight. He couldn’t.

5

Dressed in a rich blue gown that was far finer than anything she had ever worn, Josephine stepped out of the bedchamber and into the corridor. The faint scent of lavender clung to her after her bath, and her freshly pinned chignon lent her an air of composure she did not entirely feel. She looked every inch a lady again—or nearly so. The gown, though exquisite, was borrowed, and her slippers, despite the maid’s diligent cleaning, still bore faint stains from the mud and chaos of the previous nights.

As she descended the staircase, her gaze caught on a small gathering below. Jude stood near the hearth, speaking with a fair-haired young woman whose beauty was strikingly familiar. The elegant slope of her shoulders, the confident tilt of her chin—Josephine had seen her face before. It struck her all at once.

Lady Luca Dexter.

The diamond of the Season. The very woman who had defied convention by allowing her name to be printed in The London Gazette.

Josephine quickened her steps, her heart hammering in excitement. When she reached the bottom of the stairs, she dipped into a graceful curtsy. “Pardon me—are you Lady Luca Dexter?”

The blonde woman turned, a warm smile lighting her features. “I am,” she replied pleasantly. “And you must be⁠—”

“I am no one,” Josephine interrupted, the words tumbling out in a rush. “But you wrote that article exposing the Duke of Brackenford and the murder of his wife at The Chelmsford Asylum. It was brilliant.”

Lady Luca’s smile softened with genuine warmth. “How kind of you to say so. Though I cannot take all the credit.” She inclined her head towards the dark-haired gentleman beside her. “My husband, Luca, wrote the article. I merely allowed my name to be attached.”

Josephine turned wide eyes upon him. “You both did what no one else dared. How long had you suspected the duke of foul play?”

“It was Luca who first grew suspicious,” Lady Luca said. “He invited me to join him in the investigation.”

Lord Luca smiled wryly. “And she proved far too clever to keep out of it.”

His wife laughed softly. “Not everyone in the ton approved of my involvement. There are still whispers, I assure you. Some believe a lady’s name should never appear in print, least of all attached to something so scandalous.”

“They are simply jealous,” Josephine said with conviction. “You have accomplished something remarkable. What you have done for women—what you have shown us—is extraordinary.”

Lady Luca’s expression warmed further. “You are very generous, Lady Josephine.”

At that, Lord Luca inclined his head. “Jude—our gamekeeper—has already informed us of your unfortunate circumstances. Please know that you are most welcome here.”

Relief swept through her, loosening the tension in her chest. “Thank you, my lord. I already feel it.”

“Good,” Lord Luca said. “But perhaps we might continue this conversation over dinner. I confess, I am half-starved from the day’s travel.”

Lady Luca arched a brow, teasing. “You are always half-starved.”

He placed a hand over his heart. “Guilty as charged.” Turning to Josephine, he added kindly, “Now that you are under our protection, Jude may return to his duties. You may wish to bid him farewell.”

Josephine’s smile faltered slightly as she turned towards Jude. He stood a few paces away, his expression composed yet shadowed with something she could not name. There was so much she wanted to say—to thank him for saving her, for his kindness, for his steady presence—but the words tangled in her throat.

Jude stepped forward, his voice hushed. “You can trust Lord Luca and Lady Luca. They’ll see you safely reunited with your family.”

Her heart sank a little. “And you? Where will you go?”

The corners of his mouth twitched. “Back to my cottage, I suppose. Waiting for the next damsel in distress who loses her way in the woods.”