Page 86 of A Troublesome Circumstance

Josephine forced a small smile. “Thank you, Mother.”

But even as she spoke, her mind churned with questions, and she feared tomorrow might not bring forth the answers she sought.

14

Jude sat at his desk, the neat columns of numbers blurring together as he stared at them for the third—no, perhaps fourth—time. He scratched a hand over his jaw and forced himself to focus. This was important. This mattered. This was his future.

But it was also painfully dull.

He flicked his gaze towards the long clock in the corner. The pendulum swung with maddening calm, each tick sounding like a deliberate taunt. There was still time before he could retrieve Josephine for their carriage ride through Hyde Park.

He exhaled sharply. Time, it seemed, was intent on tormenting him.

The door opened and his father stepped inside, looking entirely too pleased with himself.

“Good,” the duke said, clasping his hands behind his back. “I am glad to see you reviewing the accounts.”

Jude raised a brow. “What else would I be doing? Napping under the desk?”

The duke’s mouth tugged upward as he moved to the chair opposite Jude’s desk. “Did you read the soil report for the estate?”

“I did,” Jude replied, dropping the papers he'd been holding. “Utterly captivating. I nearly died from boredom.”

His father chuckled. “It wouldn’t be my first choice of reading material either, but it is important.”

“So I’ve been told repeatedly,” Jude muttered. “I do believe we should invest in new equipment.”

“I agree, as does Mr. Culpepper.”

Jude gave him a look. “If our man of business already agrees, why ask my opinion?”

“Because,” the duke started, “one day this will all be yours. You need to know every inch of the estate.”

“Oh, happy day,” Jude responded dryly.

His father’s smile turned understanding. “I know it seems overwhelming, Jude. But you’ve been preparing for this your entire life.”

Jude leaned back in his chair. “I know I should be grateful—truly, I do—but all I see are meetings. Endless, unrelenting meetings. A future spent drowning in ledgers and obligations.”

“Meetings can be beneficial,” his father countered. “Especially when dealing with the House of Lords.”

He groaned. “Can you live forever?”

“I will try, my dear boy.”

Jude studied him for a moment before saying, “Last night was rather interesting, was it not?”

The duke’s expression sobered. “Yes. It was quite evident you hold affection for Lady Josephine.”

“I do,” Jude admitted. “But that isn’t what I wish to discuss.” He hesitated, then plunged forward. “Do you… hold affection for Lady Redden?”

The transformation was immediate. His father stiffened as though struck. “I thought we resolved this.”

“You were smiling at dinner,” Jude pressed. “Laughing. I haven’t seen you enjoy yourself like that since Mother died.”

His father abruptly rose. “I love your mother⁠—”

“There is no denying that,” Jude cut in. “But… you deserve to be happy.”