Page 74 of A Troublesome Circumstance

Very curious.

An idea sparked. “I am dining with Lady Josephine and her family this evening.”

His father lifted a brow. “So soon after the ball?”

“Her brother invited me,” Jude said. “And… I intend to go.” He hesitated, then continued casually, “You should join us.”

“I have a great deal of work to see to.”

Jude waved that away. “The work will still be there tomorrow.”

His father frowned, lines deepening across his forehead. “Was I even invited?”

“I will send word that you are accompanying me,” Jude said breezily. “I doubt they’ll object.”

“I don’t know…” The duke shifted his stance, looking genuinely uncertain—almost uneasy.

Jude pointed a finger at him. “It is better than eating dinner alone and retiring to your study by eight.”

His father froze. A flicker of pain crossed his face before he masked it.

Blazes. Jude hadn’t meant to strike a nerve.

But the truth remained. His father had been lonely for a long time. Jude had simply never acknowledged it aloud.

Finally, his father let out a slow breath. “Very well,” he said, his voice quieter than usual. “I will accompany you. But only because I do not feel like working this evening.”

Jude’s lips curved into a smile he didn’t bother hiding. “I feel the same way,” he responded.

“Now, how about we work until we depart for dinner?” his father suggested.

His smile disappeared. “I was afraid you were going to say that.”

“You did what?!”

Josephine’s voice rang through the study.

Alexander stood with infuriating composure, his hands clasped behind his back as though he’d just announced something perfectly reasonable. “I invited Lord Pendryn to dinner,” he repeated, unruffled by her outrage. “And I have just received word that his father will be accompanying him.”

“You had no right to do so.” Josephine jabbed a finger towards him, her pulse hammering in her ears.

“I had every right,” Alexander said, lifting his chin. “This is my home, and it did not escape my notice that you hold some affection for Lord Pendryn.”

“You would be wrong,” she lied without hesitation.

A smug little smile curved his lips. “I don’t think I am.”

She spun towards her mother, who stood near the mantel, her arms loosely folded as she watched them with maddening tranquility. “Mother, tell him he was wrong to interfere in my life.”

Her mother stepped forward. “I am not entirely sure that he was.”

Josephine’s mouth fell open. “How can you say that? You know how I feel about Lord Pendryn.”

“I do,” her mother responded. “But I can also see that you hold him in some affection.”

Josephine closed her eyes against a fresh surge of humiliation. “I did, but it is different now. He has broken my trust.”

Her mother’s expression softened further as she laid a hand on Josephine’s sleeve. “I think it is time you heard him out. Perhaps you two could become friends once more.”