Page 68 of A Troublesome Circumstance

Her mother let out an exasperated huff. “Ah. I suspected as much. There was more to the story than him simply finding you wandering the woods. Did something untoward happen between you two?”

Josephine bolted upright. “Good heavens, no! He was a perfect gentleman.”

“But you were alone with him?”

Josephine looked towards the window. “He found me in the stable… and brought me into his cottage. He stitched my wound and fed me.” Her voice softened. “If he hadn’t, I would have frozen to death in my thin muslin ballgown.”

Her mother nodded slowly. “Then it is fortunate you said nothing to Alexander. He would have marched you down the aisle by sundown.”

“I would not have done it,” Josephine said firmly. “It wasn’t Jude’s fault. He did nothing wrong. I will not let him shoulder blame he does not deserve.”

Her mother’s expression gentled. “Then let us keep this between us. Since nothing happened, there is no need for anyone else to know.”

Josephine sagged with relief. “Thank you, Mother.”

“Now that we have settled that, perhaps you might consider getting out of bed. We could go for lemon ice, or shopping, or⁠—”

Josephine snatched the pillow out of her mother's hands and slapped it over her face again. “I would prefer to remain in bed. Perhaps forever.”

“You are being ridiculous.”

“Am I?” Josephine peeked out from beneath the pillow, narrowing her eyes. “Would you have mistaken an earl for a gamekeeper?”

Her mother’s silence was all she needed to know.

Josephine groaned and fell back dramatically. “And the worst part is that his brother—Lord Luca—and his wife knew the whole time. They were probably laughing at me.”

“I very much doubt that,” her mother said.

“I can never see them again,” Josephine declared. “It would be far too mortifying.”

Her mother gently tugged the pillow away again and tossed it aside. “Nothing is as dreadful as you are making it, my dear. Besides…” Her tone turned amused. “Something tells me Lord Pendryn feels equally sorry for his part in the matter.”

“And how would you know that?”

Her mother stood, smoothing her skirts. “Because you should see the entry hall. The flowers have been arriving all morning.”

“Flowers? Flowers? Does he truly think that flowers will make up for lying to me?”

“I know, dear.” Her mother patted her hand. “But you should at least hear him out when he comes to call.”

“Absolutely not!” Josephine declared. “If he comes to call, I shall throw rocks at him.”

Her mother burst into laughter. “I daresay you are exaggerating.”

“I am doing no such thing.” Josephine folded her arms, chin lifted defiantly. “And this is entirely different from when Father threw a rock at you.”

“You would throw rocks at an earl?” her mother asked, aghast.

“Yes,” Josephine replied without hesitation. “I absolutely would.”

Her mother crossed the room to the wardrobe, pulling out a pale blue gown embroidered with tiny seed pearls. “Well, if you insist on behaving like a hoyden, you may as well look lovely while doing it. This would suit you beautifully.”

Before Josephine could form a retort, the door opened. Martha entered carrying a tray.

“I brought you chocolate, my lady.”

Josephine straightened immediately. “At last, someone who speaks my language.” She swung her feet to the floor, determination returning with renewed vigor. “Thank you, Martha. You have single-handedly restored my will to live.”