Page 78 of A Troublesome Circumstance

She stared at it. Duty warred violently with annoyance. She did not want to accept it. She wanted to pretend she was unmoved. She wanted⁠—

“I am merely offering to be a gentleman,” Jude said, a lazy, maddening smile touching his lips.

Her entire family was watching. She had no choice.

Josephine placed her gloved hand on his arm and allowed him to escort her to the dining room… even as her mind and heart waged a silent, hopeless war.

13

Jude pulled out a chair for Josephine at the dining table. When she settled gracefully into her seat, he took the one beside hers, leaving only a sliver of space between them. Close enough to feel her presence… but not so close that she’d stiffen.

Still, she stiffened.

He leaned in—only slightly—catching the faintest trace of lavender.

There was too much unsaid between them for comfort. But if he attempted to untangle everything now, she would retreat from him. It was better that he went slow. Gentle. Careful.

Two footmen stepped forward, placing bowls of hot soup before them. Jude unfolded his linen napkin and laid it across his lap.

He had barely reached for his spoon when Lord Redden’s voice cut through the quiet.

“Well,” Redden announced from the head of the table, “shall we discuss the elephant in the room?”

Beside him, Josephine went rigid. Jude felt, rather than saw, the tension roll in waves from her shoulders.

“What are you referring to?” she asked, her voice tight.

Redden leaned back in his seat. “I am referring to the fact that Pendryn was pursuing Lady Gwendolyn and now I am.” He raised a brow at Jude. “I do hope that is not a problem.”

“It is no problem at all,” Jude replied.

Redden nodded, satisfied. “Good.” He reached for his wine glass. “I should note that I intend to offer for the lady.”

Josephine gasped, gripping the edge of the table. “Dear heavens, you cannot be serious.”

“Josephine,” Lady Redden chided softly. “Be kind.”

“I am trying to be,” she muttered. “But I can’t bite my tongue and stay silent on the subject.”

Redden shrugged off her concern. “Regardless of how you feel, I intend to make Lady Gwendolyn my marchioness.”

“I wish you all the happiness,” Jude said, though he felt Josephine’s incredulous stare burning into him.

“So no hard feelings between us?” Redden asked.

Jude shook his head. “None.”

“I can’t believe you let a woman like Lady Gwendolyn go,” Redden continued. “But your loss is my gain.”

“That it is,” Jude answered simply.

The duke lifted his glass. “I am truly happy for you.”

“Thank you, Your Grace.” Redden snapped his fingers lightly towards the butler. “We should celebrate. Bring out the champagne.”

“You shouldn’t celebrate yet, considering she hasn’t agreed to your proposal,” Josephine remarked.

Redden grinned. “But she will.”