Page 29 of Treating a Sinful Earl
“It is due to the seasons.” Felton shrugged. “I would not overthink it.”
Jasper could not hold back. It was unfair that his mother was the only one that knew the truth of his plight. “I am dying, my dear friend.”
Felton stopped dead in his tracks and peered into Jasper’s eyes unflinchingly. “If you are toying with me, I have the mind to wrestle you to the ground this very moment to make you apologize.”
He replied softly, “I do not toy with you. My situation is dire, and the doctors have no remedy. I must do all that I can to enjoy this life, for I know not how long it will last.”
They stood there for several moments before Felton looked away in terror. He combed his hand through his hair and his chest heaved. “Why did you not tell me of this sooner?”
“Because it was too difficult. You are my friend, and I do not wish to be viewed as the dying earl that you can no longer have a raucous good time with.” Jasper managed to smile, thinking of all the mischief that he and his friend could get into.
Felton cocked his head to the side, anguish in his eyes. “Jasper, does your mother know?”
“Indeed.” He nodded.
“Then, for the love of god, marry Catherine Trowbridge! If you truly love her and you want to hold onto whatever happiness you can, then carpe diem! I hate this news that you have shared, and I hold onto the belief that it is untrue but come on man! Take action!”
Jasper was greatly surprised by this response. Felton was now trying to convince him to marry Catherine? The very notion that troubled him was that he would be abandoning her in some measure. Now, Felton was trying to convince him that this was not the case. He needed to plead his point.
“I cannot convince her to marry someone that shall soon be a dead man.”
Felton’s response was hushed. “We are all to be dead men, old chap.”
“What I mean is, she has a brilliant heart and mind. She deserves a man that will take care of her for the rest of her days. Sure, she shall receive my funds and title once I am gone, but that is not enough. She needs someone…to take care of her. Unflinchingly.”
Felton fell silent, and Jasper was left to wonder if his argument was going on deaf ears. What if his perspective was unsound? What if it was best to tell Catherine the truth, get her out of her predicament, and ensure that she had an income for the rest of her days? She would need to marry again, and this prospect troubled Jasper even more, for he wanted no one to have her but himself.
But he wanted her to be happy and free….
“Listen.” Felton put up a soothing hand. “There is no sense in overthinking this, Jasper. If you wish to have her by your side, and it will make both you and she happy, then I see no other alternative,” he said, continuing their walk.
“I have not spoken to Catherine of any of these matters,” Jasper continued to share. “She does not know of the malignant illness, nor does she know that I am on the brink of asking for her hand. All of this will be too much. We have known one another for a mere week! Talk about a desperate man, similar to the one that paced in my parlour this morning.”
Felton finally laughed, no doubt recalling what a mess he had been that morning. “I suppose that we are both far gone.” His voice became hushed and sad. “My god, man. Why did you not tell me of this business sooner? I feel as though I have lost you already.”
“That is precisely why I did not tell you.”
The rest of the walk home was undertaken in silence. Both men had tension in their jaws, but Jasper’s heart remained open. It had been delightful to see Catherine, if even for a few brief moments. He would write a letter to her just as soon as he returned home of his hope to encounter her again. He became abundantly curious about the giggling and jubilation written on her face when she barreled into the parlour. Catherine had never explained, and Jasper found himself overcome with curiosity.
It was upon reaching his home that Jasper and Felton went their separate ways. They embraced and clapped backs, as they were wont to do, but he found that Felton held him for far longer than usual and much more tightly. Jasper had to make light of it. “This is becoming awkward, old man.”
Felton finally let go, his eyes teary. “We are going to get through this, mate. I promise you.”
Jasper watched as his best friend walked away sombrely, and he felt regret that he needed to share that horrible piece of news with him. If only everything was different. If only he was sound in mind and body and had the power to go to Catherine at once, ask to speak with her father, and secure her hand.
That was all a dream….
Entering his manor, Jasper discovered the Dowager Countess seated in the parlour, as was her custom. “Come in, my son.”
Jasper did so, seating himself on the very same sofa from that morning. “Felton is lovesick,” he shared.
She rolled her eyes. “Felton seems like the sort of fellow that finds someone new to be lovesick with each week.”
Jasper shook his head. “That is untrue. I see the way that he looks at Abigail. I have never seen him like this before and I worry for his sanity if Abigail does not comply.”
Giving a ‘tsk tsk’, she said, “I do not know that I trust Lady Hatcher. There is something about her that I find unsavoury. Lady Trowbridge…on the other hand….”
Jasper froze. What could make his situation even more challenging? His blasted mother now loved Catherine, as well. “She is a remarkable lady, and I am so happy that you were able to meet her.”
