Treating a Sinful Earl by Henrietta Harding
Chapter 25
Jasper, despite his vulnerability, never felt so happy when he beheld Catherine. It was what he was hoping for, and now he had her entirely alone yet again. “I hope that my presence does not startle you.”
She replied humorously, “At this stage in the game, it would startle me to not encounter you. You would not believe the charming conversation I just had.”
He felt a tinge of jealousy, for surely she must have encountered a gentleman. “Tell me of it.”
“I met Walter Pembroke. Does the name sound familiar?”
“My hat maker?” He felt relief upon hearing the name. “I have been going to that chap for years. I am glad that you had the chance to meet him. He makes the best hats in all of Bath.”
“He was a rather down to earth fellow, despite his success. We spoke of…various topics.”
From the look of bashfulness upon her face, Jasper gleaned that they must have spoken of much. Perhaps he was mentioned. In fact, he had to have been mentioned if Catherine was already familiar with the connection. “Whatever he said about me is not true,” he added wittily.
“Then I should not believe that you are a kind man, a good man, and that rumours surround which are not true.”
“Precisely, all the rumours are entirely true. I am no good.”
Both of them laughed, and Jasper delighted in this bit of humour. He inhaled deeply, basking in the beauty of her red hair shining under the light of day. His stomach flipped when he was reminded of their last encounter and how his symptoms had forced him to flee. He wished that Catherine never had to see such things, but the reality of his plight was all too clear, and there was no way around it.
“I cannot believe that,” she finally replied. “I know you to be a good man.”
“Yet you will not accept my offer?”
She gazed towards the ground. “Walter spoke of patience and the slow nature of what he describes as love.”
Jasper was pleased that she mentioned the word love, for that was the only appropriate way of describing what he and Catherine shared. “In theory, that seems to be true. But I feel an ardency that requires action. Please understand.”
Now, Catherine laughed, and this made Jasper’s stomach flip yet again. “He also said that he lied ruthlessly to his wife when he was courting her. This was the execute the match with haste. So, I guess that Walter contradicted himself in a way.”
There was much to say in response to this, but Jasper fell silent. Yes, perhaps all men were a contradiction, and this was something that he did not care for. Was it love that brought out the contradiction, or was the contradiction innate in men?
“These things are never simple nor easy. I have…made myself known to you. Please know that I understand why my situation might give you pause, but I hope that you still consider what I have offered.”
She froze, and Jasper feared that he was pushing too hard. “Of course, I consider it. I consider it every moment of every day. But please understand…it is overwhelming at times. I mean…my feelings for you are overwhelming.”
“Then give into those feelings with haste,” he said with a smile. “I will provide you with everything that you need. I will open a shop for you. You can do as you please.”
“This is too generous,” she said, blinking several times.
“I want to give you all that I have.”
Catherine fell silent once more. Yes, Jasper was pushing her, and he did not like the feeling of it. “I do not know what to say, other than…I love you, Jasper.”
A wave of delicious relief descended, and Jasper allowed the moment to linger. His heart was bursting with happiness. Yes, he would do anything for Catherine, and as long as she knew that he would wait. Even though he did not know how much time he had, Jasper would wait.
“I want to bring you to my home. Just you and I. Can it be arranged?”
The prospect seemed daring, to say the least, but there was nothing more tantalizing than the knowledge that she was under his roof, and it was only the two of them. He would dispatch his mother in some way.
“I…I must admit that I have been leaving my home entirely alone. For whatever reason, the chaperone allows me to do it! Oh, I think that she is turning a blind eye, and I am most grateful that she is doing so. These moments that we spend alone are some of the greatest in my memory. I…will try to come to your home.”
Jasper clapped his hands together. “You do not know how happy that makes me. Tomorrow? Monday night? I will make sure that a supper is prepared, I can show you everything, and we can discuss more.”
Really, all that Jasper wished to discuss was the prospect of making Catherine his wife, whether he was healed or no. This resolution was now so strong there was no denying it. They could discuss this over supper, and he could convince her, once and for all. If she continued to make him wait, so be it. Yet still, he would not stop until Catherine was his.
“Let us walk,” she said, continuing down the path.
Jasper followed her, his hands clasped behind his back. “I shall have Felton follow you from your home to ensure that you are all right. Perhaps you can inform your parents that you are taking an evening ride with Abigail.”
Catherine seemed to bristle after this, leaving Jasper to wonder what he had said that had been amiss. “I fear for Abigail,” she said faintly.
“Fear for her?”
“Walter gave the most impeccable advice today about following one’s heart. I fear that Abigail shall never learn this lesson.” Catherine paused. “Oh, Jasper, she confided in me through correspondence. She said that she has true feelings for Felton, but she does not know how to proceed for the territory is all too new. I have not yet responded to her letter, for I wanted to take the time out here in the wilderness to consider things. I think that…I think that she is afraid, in a similar fashion that I am.”
Jasper allowed this to sink in. Why should either of them fear? Good men had fallen in love with them and showed their hearts. He wished there was a way to make them trust.
“Although I feel inclined to push the matter, I know that this is not the right course. I am happy to learn of Abigail’s affections, and I know that Felton would be overjoyed. Inform Abigail that she should take her time, just as you must. In the end, everything will happen as it is supposed to. I trust in that.”
Catherine smiled broadly, no doubt pleased by his response. “I shall inform her of that perspective, but I wish to see her be courageous! I wish to see Abigail dive into love with abandon.”
Jasper wished to see Catherine do much the same. “Speak to her as you must. You are her closest friend, and she will listen to you. Felton is not going elsewhere with these affections, and she should know of that, as well.”
She tilted her face up towards the sky and closed her eyes. “So much is happening. All my life, I was content living simply,” she said, opening her eyes once more. “There was a sense that nothing would change. And now? Everything is changing so quickly. It is rather thrilling.”
“I agree.”
But Jasper could not banish the trepidation in his breast. He was a sick man. A dying man. For Catherine, the whole world was in front of her, and for him, the majority of his life was now behind him. This realization could not be banished from his mind, nor should it be. This truth would only propel Jasper forward into his destiny with more gratitude.
“Shall we continue our walk? I am a mess of nerves all of a sudden.”
As she walked, Jasper followed by her side once more. “Why a mess of nerves?”
Her voice turned hushed. “Sometimes, I fear for you. Nay, all the time!”
This was the very conversation that Jasper wished to avoid. He had had no symptoms the entire day, and he did not wish for something to spring up now. “Do not fear for me. I am resolved. I do not know why the Lord above has chosen this path for me, but I shall walk this path. There is no other choice, and I do not require your pity.”
“I did not say that I pitied you,” Catherine protested.
“You implied it. Be honest with me. Is this the reason why you will not accept my offer?”
She fell silent, and now Jasper was the one that was a fit of nerves. For all his composure regarding his health, it was now vexing that this might be the very reason why he could not have the woman that he loved.
“I do not fear it, Jasper. And I can still help you!” As she said this, she placed her hands upon his chest. He took her wrists into his own hands.
“It matters not if you can help me. I am resolved to what the future brings. I want to have you, whether I am ill or no. I hope that you understand this.”
She gazed into his eyes unflinchingly. “I do understand. And…my love for you has nothing to do with your illness. I love the man that is standing before me.”
“Then marry me,” he reasoned.
“I…I want to.”
Vindication! She wanted the very thing that he longed for. Now, whether she conceded fully was of no consequence. Jasper knew that he would succeed.
“We do not need to discuss this further. I am content. Come to my manor for supper tomorrow evening, and there is more to be said then. In the meantime, allow me to walk with you, even if in silence. I merely long for your company.”
She smiled warmly, removing her hands from his chest. Oh, but Jasper wished for nothing more than to pull her in again, to press his lips against hers, knowing that she would one day be his wife.
But all of this would have to wait. As they continued to walk, Jasper felt as light as air in her company. She discussed her tinctures, the surrounding shrubs, and all of this was like poetry coming from her lips. No, he would not press her any further. When Catherine was ready, he would be there, and in the meantime, he would walk contentedly by her side.
“I shall make dandelion tea for you to give to Walter,” she went on.
He arched his brow. “Dandelion tea?”
“Indeed. Mr Pembroke said that he suffers from stiffness and pain. I believe that the tea will be of use.”
“You really must have your own shop, Catherine. There are so many that you could help. I have never seen my mother with so much energy. I know that it is from your medicine.”
“Oh, you do not know how happy that makes me!”
“Yes, I do know how happy it makes you, and that is why I shall open a shop for you. I want nothing more than for you to be happy. Anything that you want, I shall provide.”
“Your presence makes me happy,” she admitted. “That is all that I want. I merely want to be in your presence.”
“Then you shall be, whenever you want it.”
The morning had healed any wounds that remained from their last encounter. And the knowledge that she would come to his home the following night only added to the jubilation.