Chapter 16 #3
A bright, delighted smile spread across his face. “That is wonderful news. Do you think he intends to offer for you?”
She met his gaze squarely. “He already has. But you knew that already… didn’t you?”
Uncle Leroy pressed a hand dramatically to his chest. “Guilty as charged,” he said with a warm chuckle.
Josephine took a sip of her chocolate. “I turned him down because he only offered to keep me safe.”
“That seems like a very good reason,” he mused.
“Not to me,” she replied. “I want love. Real love. And to be loved in return. It is something both of us deserve.”
Uncle Leroy watched her, thoughtfully. “And you don’t believe Lord Pendryn could love you in return?”
Her fingers fussed with the edge of the white linen napkin spread across her lap. “It doesn’t matter what I think. Lord Pendryn and I… are merely friends.”
“Ah, yes,” Uncle Leroy responded. “Friends who go on private carriage rides and delightful outings to Gunter’s. My apologies. I must have misunderstood the nature of this… friendship.”
Before he could tease her further, the door swept open and her mother entered, radiant in a green morning gown.
“Good morning,” her mother chimed, her tone cheerfully bright.
Josephine let out a quiet breath of relief. “Good morning, Mother.”
Her mother bestowed a gracious smile on Uncle Leroy. “What a delightful surprise to see you here so early. What brings you by?”
“I needed to speak to Alexander about the accounts,” Uncle Leroy replied.
Her mother took her seat at the table, smoothing her skirts. “It is kind of you to assist him.”
“I made a promise to my brother,” Uncle Leroy said, “and I intend to keep it.”
“And you are—most emphatically.”
Uncle Leroy sighed, glancing towards the doors Alexander had stormed through earlier. “You are kind, but I could do more. Especially for Alexander. I worry about him.”
Josephine couldn’t help herself. “That is because he is being beguiled by a seductress.”
“Be nice,” her mother chided lightly. “Alexander believes himself to be in love with Lady Gwendolyn.”
“Can you talk some sense into him?” Josephine asked her uncle. “He seems to listen to you.”
“Not lately,” Uncle Leroy said with a mournful shake of his head.
A footman arrived then, placing a warm plate before Josephine.
She reached for her fork and knife, determined to eat rather than dwell on her brother’s impending ruin.
Nothing she said or did seemed to matter.
Alexander would marry Lady Gwendolyn and doom himself to a lifetime of misery. She was certain of it.
Her mother’s voice pulled her from her thoughts. “Did Lord Pendryn say when he was to collect you for Gunter’s?”
“No, but it should be soon enough—”
As if summoned, Dupree appeared in the doorway. “Lord Pendryn has arrived and is waiting in the drawing room, my lady.”
Josephine froze for a single heartbeat, then placed her utensils down very carefully, forcing her movements to appear calm, unaffected. “Thank you, Dupree. Please inform him that I will be there shortly and send for Martha to accompany us.”
Dupree inclined his head. “Very good, my lady.” Then he slipped away.
Josephine exhaled and pushed back her chair. “I should go greet Lord Pendryn. I would not wish to keep him waiting.”
A smirk crept onto Uncle Leroy’s lips. “But waiting makes the heart grow fonder.”
Josephine pretended not to hear him and rose gracefully. “If you will excuse me…”
To her surprise, her mother rose as well. “I will accompany you to the drawing room. I should like to give Lord Pendryn my regards.”
“Of course,” Josephine said, keeping her voice pleasant, though it tightened around the edges.
As they walked out of the dining room, her mother leaned close, her tone dropping to a whisper. “Alexander plans to sign the marriage contract tomorrow. We must find a way to break the engagement.”
Josephine halted, staring at her mother. “I thought you wanted me to be nice.”
“I do,” her mother insisted. “But I do not believe Lady Gwendolyn will make Alexander happy.”
“Neither do I,” Josephine said grimly. “But what can we do? Once the contract is signed, they are married in the eyes of the ton.”
Her mother’s expression tightened with determination. “Then we must stop it before that happens.”
“Do you have any idea how exactly to do that?” Josephine asked, keeping her voice low as they reached the corridor.
“No,” she admitted. “Not yet. But I will.” She lifted her chin in that familiar way—the same look she wore whenever she was about to marshal all her wits and charm to accomplish something impossible.
Josephine couldn’t help the small, conspiratorial smile that tugged at her lips. “Whatever you suggest, I am game.”
Her mother gave her a sidelong glance. “Even if it involves a bit of subtle manipulation?”
“Oh, Mother,” Josephine began, “I was counting on it.”
Her mother let out a soft laugh. “Very well, then. We shall put our heads together—after your outing with Lord Pendryn.”
Josephine nodded, excitement bubbling in her chest—part for Jude and part for the challenge ahead. “Then let the scheming begin.”