Chapter 20 #2
Jude leaned forward in his saddle, urging his stallion faster with every pounding stride. His breath froze in the night air, each exhale a sharp reminder that time was slipping through his fingers.
He needed to see her.
He needed to know she was safe.
He needed… her.
Hours had passed in a blur of hoofbeats and dread, but at last The Nag’s Head loomed in the dark. It was a squat stone coaching inn, lanterns flickering weakly above the courtyard. Relief slammed into him so forcefully he nearly swayed in the saddle.
She’s here. She must be here.
And then—shouting. A commotion. A black coach stood with its door flung open, liveried footmen milling about, looking bewildered.
His pulse thundered.
He spotted a cluster of people near the side door with Josephine’s maid at the center, wringing her hands.
Jude yanked his reins and dismounted before his horse had even fully stopped. “Where is Josie?” he barked.
The maid spun, her face pale. “M-my lord—you are here.”
“Where is she?” he demanded again.
The maid lifted a shaking hand and pointed towards the dark line of trees. “She ran into the woods.”
“What? Why?”
“In the courtyard—I heard screaming—Mr. Broderick tried to abduct her—” Her breath turned shallow and broken. “I—I came running—she fought him—escaped—and fled.”
Jude stepped closer, raising his hand. “Breathe. Tell me everything.”
She pulled in several ragged breaths before continuing. “Mr. Broderick chased her into the woods. His footmen said so.” The maid’s voice cracked as she took a step closer. “You have to go save her. Please.”
He thrust his reins into her hands. “I will.”
Rupert was already off his horse, watching him with grim readiness.
“I’m going after her,” Jude said.
“I’m going with you…” Rupert started.
Jude spoke over him. “No. Stay here and go find Josie’s uncle.”
Rupert nodded once, then reached to the back of his saddle and drew out a pistol. “Take it. You might need it. I’ll go find Lord Leroy and… have a word.”
“Lord Leroy hasn’t come out of his room yet,” the maid offered.
Rupert swore softly. Then to Jude, he said, “If you’re not back soon, I’m coming after you.”
The maid added, “These men offered to help search—”
But Jude didn’t wait to hear another word. He was already sprinting across the gravel, plunging into the shadowed woods with the pistol gripped tight in his hand. Brambles scraped him, branches whipped across his face, and he barely felt any of it.
“Josephine!” His voice tore through the silent trees. “Where are you?”
Nothing. Then—
A faint crack. A snapped branch.
Jude pivoted sharply, heading towards the sound. His boots skidded on soft earth as he burst into a small clearing. His breath heaved in the cold air.
Had he imagined it?
He turned slowly, listening.
Then—soft, quick breathing.
“Josephine,” he murmured. “Josie, love—it’s me.”
Silence.
A small, trembling voice called out, “Jude?”
Relief nearly dropped him to his knees. “I’m here. Where are you?”
A figure emerged from the shadowed trees—skirts torn, hair disheveled, hands bound before her. Josie had never looked more heartbreakingly beautiful.
He rushed to her, cupping her cheek. “Are you hurt?”
She shook her head, her eyes shining. “No.”
He bit back the urge to kiss her, to fall apart. “We need to get you out of here.”
He quickly untied her wrists, tossing the rope aside. The moment her hands were free, she flung her arms around his neck.
A sob broke from her. “You came for me.”
“Did you ever doubt it?”
“Thank you,” she whispered into his coat.
He wrapped his arms around her, pressing her close, breathing her in.
And then—click.
A pistol being cocked.
Jude turned slowly, positioning himself in front of Josephine.
Mr. Broderick stepped from the trees, his pistol raised, a cruel smile twisting his lips. “How convenient. Thank you for finding her. Now, drop your pistol and step aside or else I will be forced to shoot Josephine.”
Jude’s jaw clenched as he placed his pistol onto the ground. “I may be unarmed, but I will not step aside.”
“Come now,” Broderick drawled, stepping closer. “I would hate to kill you over something so trivial as a woman, especially since she belongs to me.”
Josephine stiffened behind him. “I belong to no one.”
“You heard the lady,” Jude stated.
Broderick scoffed. “Josephine doesn’t know what she wants. She has been infatuated with me for years.”
She let out a sharp huff. “I have not.”
“It’s true,” Broderick insisted. “This has been nothing but a game to you. I’m simply finishing it.” His smile widened. “Your uncle promised me your hand, you know.”
“You’re lying,” Josephine said.
Broderick shrugged lightly. “He owed me a considerable debt. Rather than selling a property, he offered you.”
“I don’t believe you,” Josephine said, her voice wavering.
“Why do you think he abandoned you in the coaching inn?” Broderick asked. “He cares more for himself than for you.”
Jude’s hands balled into fists, but he managed to keep his voice steady. “She hasn’t reached her majority. Her uncle has no legal claim.”
“Perhaps not,” Broderick said, “but he helped plenty. He lured her onto the veranda. If not for the carriage accident, she would already be mine.”
“Never!” Josephine shouted. “I would never marry you.”
Broderick ignored her. “When I wed her, Society will embrace me. Now—hand her over.”
“You will have to kill me first,” Jude said.
Broderick raised his pistol, aiming directly at Jude’s chest. “Then I shall enjoy watching you die.”
“Stop!” Josephine cried.
She tried pushing past Jude, but he set a hand back. “Stay behind me.”
“No.” She shoved his hand aside and stepped towards Broderick. “If you kill him, you may as well kill me.”
Broderick’s facade cracked slightly, his emotions flickering. “I could never kill you. I love you.”
“No, you don’t,” Josephine stated. “Let us go.”
He snarled. “Why would I do that?”
“Because I will always run from you,” she said. “No matter where you take me, I will never stop trying to run from you.”
In a flash, Broderick’s free hand swung, striking her across the face. Josephine fell hard to the ground.
“Josie!” Jude lunged, but Broderick swung the pistol back towards him.
“You should never have followed her,” Broderick growled. “You will die for it.”
Jude lifted both hands. “It doesn’t have to end this way.”
Broderick’s hand tightened on the pistol. “It does. Josephine is mine.”
Josephine pushed up from the ground, her eyes blazing. “I will never be yours.”
Before Broderick could react, she grabbed a fallen branch—thick, heavy—and swung with all her strength.
It cracked against Broderick’s skull.
He dropped instantly, crumpling to the leaves below.
Jude stared, breathless, then rushed to Josephine as Broderick lay unconscious. “Josie—are you all right?”
“I will live,” she replied, even as blood trailed down her cheek in a stark, horrifying line.
Jude’s entire body went rigid. Rage knifed through him so sharply he struggled to breathe. “Broderick will pay for what he’s done to you,” he said, his voice low and trembling with fury. “I swear it.”