Chapter 5 #2
“I said something foolish at dinner,” she confessed, her voice barely above a whisper. “I mentioned the cottage, and Lord Luca—he wasn’t unkind, only… stern. He reminded me that I mustn’t speak of it again.”
“He wasn’t wrong,” Jude responded.
“I know, but I was embarrassed,” she said, blinking back fresh tears.
“So you cry when you’re embarrassed. Duly noted.”
She gave him a mock glare, though her heart softened at the familiar ease between them. “I am not good at lying, that’s all.”
“Oh, I’m well aware that you’re a terrible liar,” he said lightly. “It’s one of your more endearing qualities.”
Her lips twitched despite herself. “And what if I make another mistake, and the next person isn’t as forgiving?”
He was silent for a moment, then said, “Then you’ll learn. You’re clever enough for that. But for now, I suspect you’re more tired than you realize and hungry, too. Things will seem less dire after a good meal.”
“And if they don’t?”
A smile tugged at his mouth. “Then I happen to know a perfect hiding place in the woods. Comes complete with a roof, a fire, and complimentary rabbit stew.”
A laugh escaped her lips. “You are utterly ridiculous.”
“I’m not the one out here in the corridor crying while the cook’s roast is growing cold.”
“I wish you were eating dinner with us,” she admitted before she could stop herself.
“No, you don’t,” he replied. “Besides, I have duties tonight. Gamekeeper things.” His tone turned mock-serious. “Very important things.”
“Of course. I am sorry to keep you from them,” she responded.
“Josephine?” Charlotte’s voice floated down the corridor.
Josephine turned, startled. Charlotte stood at the dining room doorway and her eyes flicked to Jude’s hand still resting lightly on Josephine’s sleeve.
“Will you be joining us?” Charlotte asked.
Jude immediately withdrew his hand and took a step back. He gave a crisp bow. “My ladies,” he said before walking away.
“Yes,” she replied quietly. “I believe I shall.”
Charlotte offered her a reassuring smile and slipped an arm through hers as they walked back towards the dining room.
Jude sat in the corner of the warm kitchen, his arms braced on his knees as the faint crackle of the hearth filled the silence.
The servants had long since retired, leaving only the low hum of the clock and the distant wind whistling against the windows.
He was waiting for Josephine to go up to her room so he could finally confront his brother.
He hadn’t been able to shake the image of her in the corridor—eyes glistening, voice trembling as she tried to mask her embarrassment. She’d been through enough already. She didn’t deserve Luca’s cutting words, even if they had been delivered with the best of intentions.
She trusted him—him, not his brother—and he had sworn she’d be safe here. Yet somehow, she’d started the evening in tears.
A soft voice broke through his thoughts.
“My lord,” said Mrs. Farr, their silver-haired housekeeper, stepping forward with a candle in hand. “Lady Josephine has retired for the evening.”
Jude straightened at once. “Finally,” he muttered, rising from the chair. “Thank you, Mrs. Farr.”
She offered him a kind look. “Lord Luca is in the drawing room, awaiting your arrival.”
“Of course he is,” Jude said under his breath.
He left the kitchen through the servants’ stairwell, his boots echoing faintly as he climbed.
By the time he reached the corridor, his irritation had sharpened into something hotter—protective anger mixed with guilt.
He had promised Josephine peace and comfort, and instead, she had been made to feel unwelcome.
When he entered the drawing room, he found Luca lounging on the settee beside Charlotte, the two of them speaking quietly. The glow of the fire threw soft gold across the room, illuminating Luca’s infuriatingly calm expression.
“Luca,” Jude said, his voice tight. “What in the blazes were you thinking, speaking to Josephine in such a manner?”
Luca looked up, amusement flickering across his features. “Good evening to you as well, Brother. I didn’t realize my tone required defending.”
“You made her cry,” Jude snapped.
Luca’s brows lifted a fraction. “Did I? I merely reminded her not to speak of the cottage again. There was no need for tears.”
“Perhaps not in your mind,” Jude said sharply, “but she took it to heart. She’s our guest, not some gossiping servant to be scolded.”
“That was never my intention,” Luca replied. “But you know as well as I do the danger of such talk spreading. If word got out that the heir to the Duke of Ashmoore had been nestled in a cottage with a young lady—well, you can imagine the scandal.”
Jude clenched his jaw because he knew his brother was right. And that only made it worse. “You could have exercised more tact.”
Luca’s mouth curved into a faint smirk. “I’ll make note of that for next time. Though, I must say, I’ve never seen you so undone over a young woman before.”
“I am not undone,” Jude shot back, a little too forcefully.
Luca’s smirk deepened. “No? You’re pacing about, defending her honor, glowering at me as though I’d insulted the queen. Forgive me if I doubt your objectivity.”
“Josephine and I are friends,” Jude said, forcing calm into his voice. “Nothing more.”
Luca leaned back in his seat. “Friends, you say? Yet you won’t even tell her who you truly are.”
Jude exhaled and sank into a chair across from them. “It’s better this way.”
“Better for whom?” Luca asked.
Jude glared at him, then turned towards Charlotte. “How do you put up with him?”
Charlotte’s eyes sparkled. “Isn’t he remarkable?” she teased.
“No, he’s blasted annoying,” Jude muttered.
Luca laughed outright. “You seem to forget that this entire situation is of your making.”
Jude stiffened. “What was I supposed to do? Leave her in a stable to freeze to death?” His voice rose despite himself. “She was terrified and hurt.”
Luca’s expression softened slightly. “You did the honorable thing, as I knew you would. But honor has consequences. You can’t hide forever.” He cocked his head. “Why are you here, rather than at the cottage?”
Jude hesitated. “I thought it best to remain at the manor for a time.”
“With Lady Josephine?” Luca asked.
Jude shot him a warning look. “No. Not in that sense.”
“Mm,” Luca murmured, clearly unconvinced. “Still, you’ll have to explain why a supposed gamekeeper is housing with the family. Servants gossip, you know.”
“I’ll think of something,” Jude said.
Charlotte rose gracefully, smoothing her gown. “Well, I do believe I shall retire for the evening so you two may continue your… informative discussion.”
Luca stood and kissed her cheek. “Goodnight, my love.”
“Goodnight,” she replied with a smile before departing the room.
Jude watched her go, unable to ignore the quiet affection between them. The simple ease of it made something twist inside his chest—an ache he didn’t want to name. Would he ever have that?
Once Charlotte was gone, Jude lowered himself back into the chair. “I’m happy for you, truly,” he said quietly.
Luca gave a faint, contented sigh. “I never thought happiness like this was possible. Charlotte surprises me every day.” He glanced towards the door. “But soon enough, we’ll have to return to London. Responsibilities wait for no man.”
“Will Charlotte truly write for The London Gazette?” Jude asked.
“She will,” Luca said with obvious pride. “The world is only just beginning to see what she’s capable of.”
Jude tilted his head. “A lady journalist. Father must be beside himself.”
“Oh, he’ll voice his opinion eventually. But I’ll manage him. It’s easier for me, being the second son. You, on the other hand…”
“Yes,” Jude said dryly. “The heir. Forever bound by duty.”
“Is that such a terrible fate?” Luca asked, though there was no judgment in his tone—only curiosity.
Jude’s shoulders sagged. “Perhaps not. But I would have liked the chance to live freely, even for a while. To see the world beyond our estates and ledgers.”
“Then why don’t you?” Luca asked.