Chapter 16 #2
As Josephine descended the staircase, the soft jonquil folds of her new gown brushed against her ankles.
She smoothed her palms down the skirt, nerves fluttering in her stomach.
It was ridiculous, truly—becoming excited over a simple outing to Gunter’s.
But it was not the destination that stirred her.
It was Jude.
She still couldn’t quite believe how easily she had let down her guard around him.
Each time she allowed herself to be vulnerable, to show him pieces of her heart she kept shielded from everyone else, he treated those pieces with such care that she felt…
safe. Safe in a way she never had before. Safe in herself. Safe in what she felt.
She stepped into the dining room and found her brother at the head of the table, looking entirely too pleased with himself as he read the newssheets. Uncle Leroy sat to his right, already halfway through his breakfast plate.
Her uncle rose immediately when he saw her, offering a warm smile. Alexander, unsurprisingly, only inclined his head, barely peeling his gaze from the newssheets.
A footman rushed to pull out her chair.
“Thank you,” she murmured, settling into her seat.
Alexander folded down the top edge of the newssheets and met her gaze. “I am surprised you are awake so early.”
“It is nearly noon,” she pointed out.
“Yes,” he conceded, “but you returned home rather late from the Duke of Ashmoore’s townhouse.”
“It was hardly late,” Josephine replied, calmer than she felt. “We arrived shortly after midnight.”
Alexander gave a distracted, noncommittal shrug. “I see. I went out after Lady Gwendolyn and her mother departed.”
Josephine paused, lifting her cup of chocolate just as a footman set it before her. “You… went out?” She tried to sound casual. “Where did you go?” She had her suspicions, but she refused to confirm them—not unless Alexander chose to admit it.
Her brother frowned at her, as if offended by the question. “Does it matter?”
“No, I suppose not,” she said, even though it absolutely did.
Uncle Leroy cleared his throat pleasantly. “You are looking lovely this morning, my dear.”
“Thank you, Uncle,” she said with a smile as she set her cup down.
Alexander’s gaze slid over her dress. “Is that new?”
“It is,” she confirmed. “I had it commissioned for the Season, but I wanted to wait for a special occasion.”
“And what special occasion is that?” he asked, narrowing his eyes.
“I am going with Lord Pendryn to Gunter’s.”
Alexander went perfectly still. Then, as though deciding the conversation was unworthy of further attention, he turned back to the newssheets. “That is wonderful news,” he said dryly. He could not have sounded less sincere if he tried.
Josephine arched a brow. “Is something the matter?”
“It is nothing.”
“It must be something. You look troubled.”
With an irritated sigh, Alexander folded the newssheets and set them aside. “Lord Pendryn once pursued Lady Gwendolyn. He led her on, raised her hopes, and then abandoned her.”
“He hardly abandoned her. And they were not engaged. It was a mutual understanding—if even that.”
Alexander’s jaw flexed. “I worry that Lord Pendryn’s affections will wane towards you as well, leaving you a year older with no prospects.”
Josephine’s back went rigid. “Lord Pendryn and I are merely friends.”
Alexander gave her a pointed look. “Come now. You cannot expect me to believe that. There is clearly some affection between you.”
“Regardless,” she said firmly, “I am not expecting anything from him.”
Alexander turned to their uncle. “Will you talk some sense into her? She is nearly at her majority and husbandless.”
Uncle Leroy dabbed his mouth with a napkin. “We mustn’t push Josephine into anything she is unready for.”
“She has had her entire life to prepare for a husband,” Alexander snapped. “It is high time she uses those skills to attract one.”
Josephine gaped. “It is not as simple as—”
Alexander raised a hand. “Take Lady Gwendolyn. She is kind, compassionate, refined—everything a young woman of Society should be.”
Josephine’s eyes widened with disbelief. “She is awful. Mean. Condescending—”
“You are jealous!” Alexander exploded.
“Of what?” Josephine demanded. “She turned her claws on you the moment Lord Pendryn withdrew his suit. Do you truly believe that is coincidence? She saw her opportunity. You are a marquess.”
Alexander stiffened. “My rank has nothing to do with this.”
“It has everything to do with this,” Josephine insisted. “Would she love you if you were a penniless nobody?”
Alexander shot back, “And what of Lord Pendryn? Would you love him if he were not heir to a dukedom?”
Josephine didn’t even hesitate. “Yes.”
Alexander’s eyes narrowed to slits. “I do not believe you.”
She met his gaze steadily. “Whether you believe me or not, it is true. I would love Lord Pendryn even if he were a gamekeeper.”
The room went silent.
Alexander shoved back his chair, tossing his napkin onto the table. “Lady Gwendolyn loves me. And I love her.”
“Then do not let me stand in your way,” Josephine said with a wave of her hand. “I hope the two of you are deliriously happy with a horde of children.”
Alexander’s nostrils flared. “We will be.”
“Good.”
“Good.”
Uncle Leroy interjected. “Now that that is settled, perhaps we should enjoy breakfast.”
Alexander rose. “I have lost my appetite,” he muttered before striding out of the room.
Josephine exhaled slowly, then reached for her cup. She knew she’d wounded Alexander’s pride… but she had spoken nothing but the truth.
And the truth was simple.
She loved Jude.
She suspected she always had—ever since the day he had pulled her away from death itself.
Reaching for his teacup, Uncle Leroy peered at her over the rim. “Do you truly love Lord Pendryn?”
Josephine’s breath snagged for the smallest moment, but she lifted her chin. “I do.”