Page 77 of A Troublesome Circumstance

Of course. Politics. It was all Alexander ever wanted to talk about.

Taking advantage of her brother’s distraction, Jude moved to Josephine’s side, lowering his voice. “How are you faring?” he asked.

“I am well,” she answered shortly. Too shortly. She regretted it instantly, but she refused to soften. She had to keep her guard up and show him that his presence didn’t unsteady her.

Jude didn’t appear offended. “Did you like all the flowers I sent you?”

Her spine stiffened. “I thought it was a bit pretentious.”

“I wasn’t sure what your favorite flower was, so I… bought out the shop.” His voice gentled. “I wanted you to know how sor⁠—”

She turned sharply to face him, speaking in a barely audible whisper. “This is not the time to discuss such things.”

“When is?” His eyes—those warm, steady eyes—searched hers.

“I don’t know,” she admitted, hating how small the truth sounded.

His jaw tightened, then he leaned closer. “Will you go on a carriage ride with me tomorrow?”

She scoffed, scandalized. “Absolutely not!”

“Please, Josie…” His voice dropped, soft and pleading. “You must give me a chance to explain.”

Blast him. Blast him for using the name she’d allowed him in a moment of weakness.

Blast her heart for fluttering like a foolish creature inside her chest.

Perhaps she was tired.

Perhaps she pitied him.

Perhaps she was a hopeless, ridiculous person.

But the words slipped out anyway. “Very well,” she said.

Jude’s entire face lit up. Not a smile—no, something brighter. Something dangerously hopeful. “Thank you.”

“But that doesn’t mean we are friends again,” she warned.

“Of course not,” he said quickly. “Naturally not.” Then he leaned closer to her. “But perhaps we could put our differences aside long enough to address what is going on between my father and your mother.”

Josephine’s brows lifted. “You noticed it, too?”

“I haven’t seen my father this animated since my mother died.”

“I feel the same about my mother.”

They both glanced towards the duke speaking to Lady Redden—who was smiling. Actually smiling. And blushing. Josephine hardly knew what to make of it.

Alexander cleared his throat sharply.

Only then did Josephine realize just how close she had drifted towards Jude. Her shoulder brushed his sleeve. Her cheeks flamed as she stepped aside, staring determinedly at a nearby vase.

“Shall we adjourn to the dining room?” Alexander asked.

“I would like that,” Josephine said, grateful she’d found her voice again.

Jude offered his arm.