Treating a Sinful Earl by Henrietta Harding
Chapter 11
For the life of her, Catherine could not figure out why Jasper was being so kind. Yes, she was referring to him as Jasper in her mind now, for he had told her that it was all right to do so. It seemed as though he wished to be exceedingly familiar, and Catherine was not put off by this in the slightest. It was endearing, and also, it made her even more fond of him.
Jasper had said that he wished to help her in some way, and like Abigail, he expressed that he wanted her to be herself. This made her care for him even more. Oh, but she was starting to have the most peculiar notions in her mind!
She hoped that she was not implying to him that he should marry her in order to free her from her problems. That was not what she intended in the slightest. Really, Catherine needed someone to talk to, and Jasper seemed like the kind of fellow that was open to hearing anything.
“I sense that I have said too much, but there is something so affable in your character,” she admitted.
“I am glad that you told me. I could sense that something was wrong and I longed to know what your troubles were.”
“Really, my father has only sped up the inevitable. I would have to face this at one time or another. In truth, if I can find a husband that understands that I am not keen on society, then perhaps I can live the simple, comfortable life that I crave. Anyhow, this is what I hope.”
“You will find such a man. I am sure of it.”
There was so much warmth in his expression, but all of this dissolved when Catherine viewed that now familiar bead of sweat come to his brow, and Jasper grasped the bannister, as he had at the Duke of Brighton’s ball. Instinctually, Catherine brought a protective hand to his back and asked what was amiss.
“These are my symptoms,” he expressed. “They shall pass shortly.”
“Must I fetch you some water again?” she asked, her voice filled with concern.
He shook his head. “That shall not be necessary. This fit is not as strong as the last.”
She waited patiently, hoping that he might feel like himself again in mere moments. Still, she could not help but punctuate the silence. “What is this, Jasper?”
His eyes turned upon her, and there was even gratitude in his expression, perhaps because Catherine had used his given name. “It is hard to describe. Doctors have known about it for years and even they are flummoxed. It is a mystery, I suppose, but the mystery feels like something out of a nightmare.”
“I shall make you a tincture tomorrow. In fact, I will do it in the morning so that I can deliver it by early afternoon. It may not solve the problem, but it will help to alleviate discomfort. I am sure of it!”
He smiled broadly. “You are a lady of some conviction. I enjoy that.”
“Trust me,” she said, removing her hand from his back. “I have been perfecting my skills for some time and I am confident that it shall work. Please trust me.”
Removing his hands from the balustrade, Jasper seemed to have strengthened, for he stood up straight and said, “I trust you fully. In fact, perhaps I have never trusted a lady as I trust you.”
Catherine blinked several times, unsure of how to adjust to such a pleasing statement. Yes, Jasper was keenly fond of her. Only on a few occasions did she behold that look in a man’s eyes, mostly because she was never social enough to meet plenty of men! But this warmth in his gaze seemed to suffuse her entire body, and Catherine felt tingly all over. Perhaps she was the one that felt faint now! She willed herself to breathe, holding onto the balustrade and looking out at the dark field.
“Have you tried taking the waters? You live in one of the most healing cities in the world.”
“I have taken the waters,” he said, nodding. “There was no change. Honestly, I think all of that is one big lie anyhow.”
Catherine became indignant. “One big lie? What on earth are you saying? There was a time when I was terribly ill and I ventured to the spa. There, I was able to heal myself within the span of four hours.”
“You sat there for four hours? In the water?” Jasper asked with a smile upon his lips.
“Indeed. My skin was all wrinkled when I was done but I was one healthy lady,” she said humorously.
“I should have liked to have seen that,” was his soft reply.
Oh, but that seemed a bit scandalous, and Catherine looked away! Lest he see how much it riled her to have him refer to such an occasion where her bare skin had pruned in the water.
“But truly, perhaps you should give the waters another chance,” Catherine offered, changing the subject. “I use a special kind of water to infuse my herbs, and this water is also beneficial for healing. These two remedies combined might be just what you require to heal.”
He shook his head plaintively. “I am afraid that you do not understand the severity of my circumstances, Catherine. This is something that we shall not speak of.”
She fell silent. What kind of severity? She was so terrified to ask that she merely stood there, hoping that Jasper might elaborate. Sadly, he did not do so, and Catherine was left standing there in silence, the light of the moon pouring down upon them. She had to think of something to say!
“Did you know that the full moon is healing, as well? Yes, I think that you should stand out here tonight for as long as you can. Sleep on the veranda if you must!”
Catherine feared that she was being pushy, but all at once, she dreaded the notion that Jasper was so unwell. She was desperate to find an answer.
“I shall stand on this veranda if you stand by my side,” Jasper shared.
She could not help but have her lips dissolve in a smile. “If it would heal you, then I shall stand out here all night long.”
His warm, compassionate expression turned grave all of a sudden. Jasper looked deep into her eyes, and Catherine was lost in their blueness which was evident even in the darkness of night.
“I want to help you to the degree that you are helping me,” Jasper said, his voice low and deep.
“My situation cannot be helped. And besides, having to marry is not nearly as serious as a health condition that cannot be cured. My situation is not as dire as yours, even though you will not convey to me the full extent of it.”
Jasper turned, no doubt trying to locate where Fenton had gone. Abigail and Fenton were just on the other side of the vast veranda, and from inside, their two chaperones peered through the glass as though spectators at a zoo.
He turned back towards her, and his affability returned again. “Here I thought that we were entirely alone, but I suppose that we never can be.”
Catherine’s shoulders slumped. “No, we cannot. Here is another thing that might be favourable about marriage,” she went on, her tone brightening. “I shall not have a chaperone any longer, and I will be entirely free to be alone with my husband. It seems silly that this might be the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow, but I do choose to look at the situation in a more favourable light.”
What she did not impart was that if she tried a different approach, her circumstances would turn overwhelming in her mind.
“Here is another thing that I admire about you,” Jasper went on. “You have a very bright spirit. It is intoxicating if I may say so.”
Catherine could not help but laugh. “Intoxicating is rather a bold world. I would call it annoying, at least, that is perhaps how others see it.”
“Then those others do not know a true gem when they encounter one.”
Oh, she was in deep waters! Jasper was intentionally flirting with her in an earnest and warm manner. This was having a very powerful effect upon her, and she did not know what the best course of action would be.
She wished to tell Jasper that she wanted him to be the man that she had just described moments ago. The one that she could be free to be alone with.
“Might I pay you a compliment after you have said something so agreeable about my character?”
He nodded. “You may.”
“I think that you are the kindest man I have ever met.” The rate of her heart elevated as she spoke. “I truly believe that you must make other ladies feel as good as you are making me feel at this moment. And that is all right! I hope that all the ladies of the world can feel as marvellous due to your kind words and… handsomeness.”
Oh, she had come undone! Why on earth did Catherine say such a thing? That was impossibly bold, but the words slipped off her tongue before she had a chance to think clearly!
Jasper paused, and in this silence, Catherine had to wonder what he was thinking. “You call me handsome, though I cannot agree. What I think everyone can agree upon is your beauty. You might be the most beautiful woman I have yet beheld.”
She brought a hand to her cheek, suddenly embarrassed that Jasper would say something so bold. “My lord, I wish to turn down that compliment, but I know to do so would be rude. So, I will merely state that I am grateful yet again that you make me feel the way that you do.”
“I am not saying it to please you,” he assured her as he gazed down upon her. “I speak this because it is my truth, and it would pain me not to utter it.”
The way that he looked down on her, Catherine was convinced that he would try to kiss her. But this must have merely been something in his expression, for the chaperones’ eyes were still upon them and a kiss would be impossible.
And yet, if he did kiss her and her father caught wind of it, perhaps she would be forced to marry Jasper? Fire and brimstone! What was Catherine thinking? She was losing her wits!
“The hour is late, and I am sure that my parents will wonder about me,” Catherine said, thinking that the moment had reached the apex of intimacy.
“That is a good idea. I do not wish for them to have an ill opinion of me.”
“They are very kind, despite my father’s ultimatum. And…I thought the Dowager Countess was impossibly kind.”
Jasper shared, “My mother is very kind, though she has been through much in life. She is strong, but also has an open heart.”
She could not help but smile. “I look forward to encountering her once more.”
“As do I,” Jasper replied intently.
Abigail was summoned, and she and Catherine made their way to the carriage with Felton and Jasper behind them, and the chaperones bringing up the rear. Once they were outside, Felton said his adieus to Abigail and Jasper did the same to Catherine.
“Lady Trowbridge, it has been an immense pleasure,” he said, taking her hand and kissing her knuckles.
“I agree, my lord. It has been a most pleasant evening for us all.”
There were no more words spoken as Jasper clutched her hand, refusing to let go. Oh, Catherine did not wish to pull away! Finally, he helped her into the carriage and released her gloved hand. She was utterly bereft after that.