“We are well suited in many respects,” Josephine muttered to Caroline’s quick laughter.
“I understand what is expected of me, Caroline. And what I expect of him. We will be companions, surely. And he expects an heir, of that I am sure. And after last night,” she cut off, swallowing thickly and throwing herself back into weeding to keep from seeing Caroline’s expression. “After last night, I’m more than ready to fulfill my wifely duties.”
Caroline’s giggle was high-pitched, her hands clapping as she grinned widely at Josephine.
“Why must you say that as if it is a problem?” Caroline demanded after a moment, her gaze and tone both sobering as she looked suddenly worried.
“It isn’t a problem!” Josephine paused, digging her fingers with fervour into the dirt as she gripped a particularly stubborn weed. “I expected to do as much anyway. Enjoying it is just an added bonus.”
“So what has you so hesitant?”
That was the question, was it not?
Josephine grunted as she pulled the large weed from its place, tossing it aggravatedly over into the basket and rubbing the back of her hand against her forehead as she sighed.
“I’m beginning to question if it might be possible that I end up having feelings for H – the duke,” she muttered.
After a too-long moment of Caroline’s silence, she dared to glance up.
Caroline was staring at her as if she had grown a second head.
“And that would be a problem?” Caroline finally asked, disbelief colouring her tone.
“Well, it wasn’t part of the plan!”
“Oh, Josie, emotions have nothing to do with plans.”
Josephine huffed, leaning forward once more to dig more weeds out.
“Isn’t falling in love with your husband a good thing?”
“No one said anything about love,” Josephine said quickly. “And yes, actually. When your husband is still in lovewith his late wife and has no room to fall in love with anyone else.”
Her throat closed over the words, her eyes suddenly gritty feeling as she clenched her jaw to keep from saying anything else.
“Oh, Josie,” Caroline breathed, her voice dropping.
“It’s a silly thing, really.” And it was. It wasn’t as if she were actually in love with Henry. They were only talking about the possibility of it happening. But to fall in love with a man who would never love her back? That, to her, was far sadder than the picture she had imagined of their life before.
“It isn’t silly in the slightest. There’s no telling how things might shift, Josie. You had no intention of developing feelings for him. Who is to say–”
“Don’t do that.” Josephine was quick to cut her friend off, her head shake quick and certain. “We are well suited,” she repeated brightly. She didn’t know who she was trying to convince more, herself or Caroline. “I’m borrowing trouble, I think.”
“You do that when something good happens to you, you know.”
Josephine glanced up quickly. “What?”
“When unexpected good fortune befalls you,” Caroline explained patiently. “Like that summer when your family was gifted that extra harvest. You worried endlessly that there were strings attached or that Mr Briar would come looking for payment after. You do, quite literally, look a gift horse in the mouth, Josie.”
Josephine blinked slowly, frowning as she realized she couldn’t argue that point. She had always considered it being practical.
They sat in companionable silence for several long moments, and Josephine realized the wisdom behind her friend pointing it out to her.
She was looking the gift horse in the mouth, searching for a potential pitfall instead of just enjoying the good news she knew was there.
“I enjoy his company,” Josephine said suddenly. “I like spending time with him. I find him very attractive–”
“And look forward to performing your wifely duties,” Caroline teased.
