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center in the action. There would be no way to avoid him, that was certain. And he would pretend like nothing had ever happened and she would relive her worst childhood nightmares and try to hate him.
    What a glorious wedding it would be.
    But then again, perhaps he would be so busy with his duties to his sister and Mr. Samson that he wouldn’t notice her at all. Her mother spoke of hope. And that was the best Josie could have.
     
     

Chapter Two

     
     
    Josie took a deep breath before she smiled at the Woodleys’ butler Vernon and stepped into the foyer.
    “Mrs. Westfall, Miss Westfall,” he intoned as he took their hats. “The family is expecting you.”
    “Indeed, they are,” came a deep voice from the top of the stairs. Josie closed her eyes tight for a moment, trying to find focus or calm of some sort. But when she opened them and looked up at the man coming down toward her, all that fled.
    Evan had always been by far the most handsome of the Woodley clan. In fact, she could easily call him beautiful and not be exaggerating. His dark brown hair was just a touch too long, which gave him a rather disheveled, rakish look even when he was dressed formally, as he was for Audrey’s wedding.
    He had even darker eyes that had always put her to mind of chocolate. They were bright and always filled with mirth or some mischief. And when he smiled, as he did in this moment, he had a dimple in his right cheek that no other Woodley possessed.
    “My lord,” her mother said, blessedly interrupting the moment, which allowed Josie to turn her head and compose herself. “How lovely it is to see you. It must be two years!”
    “Three,” he corrected softly. “Good morning, Mrs. Westfall. Miss Westfall.”
    Josie refused to meet his welcoming stare and instead examined her slipper. “My lord.”
    Vernon stepped forward. “I was about to tell the ladies that the family is gathered in the Yellow Room and escort them there.”
    “You are busy, I know. Go tend to other things,” Evan said with a broader smile for the family servant. “I’m happy to make sure the ladies are situated.”
    The butler nodded with gratitude and scurried away.
    “Poor man, he is overwhelmed, as is the entire staff, trying to make my sister’s day perfection.” Evan laughed. “What they don’t realize is that she could be in a potato sack in a field and she would be blissfully happy.”
    Josie’s mother beamed. “So then the rumors are true.”
    “Rumors?” Evan repeated, his own smile fading slightly. “And what are those?”
    “That Lady Audrey has found a love match,” Mrs. Westfall continued.
    Josie was also interested in that answer, but she refused to show that to Evan, though she leaned a touch closer.
    “Indeed,” Evan said with a shake of his head. “True love through and through.” He tilted his head as he looked at Mrs. Westfall. “You know, my mother has been ill of late. She has not yet joined the rest, but is upstairs with the healer who helped her, Miss Gray, and Jude Samson’s own mother, who has joined us in the last few days. I think they would love your company.”
    Josie jolted. “We wouldn’t want to intrude upon—” she began.
    But her mother all but shoved her aside. “How lovely.”
    Evan motioned upstairs. “Turn right at the top of the stairs. It is the third door on the left. It’s open and you’ll never be lost. They are giggling like a bunch of ninnies.”
    Josie’s mother squeezed her hand and then all but bolted away. Josie watched her go with panic building in her breast. She was about to be alone with Evan Hartwell, the most wicked Woodley of the bunch. And she was not ready.
    After all, she had specifically arranged not to be alone with him for over fifteen years.
    “How are you, Josie?” he asked, breaking into her thoughts.
    She frowned at him, mostly because she didn’t have a good response when her mind was spinning so. “I’m fine.”
    He laughed softly, but there was no