Page 38 of Treating a Sinful Earl
“What is the best way to inform her?”
“Merely tell her the truth. She would be open to hearing it.”
“And marry her?” Jasper asked, sensing that this is what his mother was implying. “So that I might die, and she will be left behind to listen to your pestering?”
Jasper was being humorous, but he noticed that his mother did not care for this one bit. “As if I shall live forever!” she exclaimed. “If you truly love the girl, then make a decision for her future, as well as your own.”
Never in his life had his mother had such a serious conversation with him in regard to a lady. Perhaps there truly was something in those tinctures akin to a love potion! But this notion was preposterous because Jasper deeply trusted Catherine and knew that she would never do such a thing, even if she knew of a recipe that worked.
The study fell silent, and Jasper sipped his tea once more. There was no sense in arguing with his mother, and his thoughts on the subject were so nascent in his mind that any further discussion would be him merely talking aloud.
“I would care for some privacy, Mother. If you do not mind.”
“Of course, I mind!” she protested. “But I will afford you that, nonetheless. I shall be in my room.”
With that, the Dowager Countess stood and departed, leaving a bemused Jasper staring out the window. What was he to do? Just when he thought the recesses of his mind were too dark, Felton was announced and stepped into the study.
“Where have you been?” Jasper asked playfully.
“I have been adamantly pursuing Abigail. Where did you think I had gone?”
Jasper smiled warmly. “I feared that you were tired of your dying friend and chose to find a new best friend who would live long enough to see your wedding.”
Although this was more playful banter, Jasper watched as Felton’s face fell. He liked to make light of his illness, for it helped to lighten the load, but he would need to be more conscious of how this affected others.
“Do not say such things. I have considered what you told me, and I think that it is a load of nonsense. You are the sort of chap that never dies, even when others want him to.”
He was pleased that now Felton was making light of the situation. Felton seated himself with a huff, throwing back his head. Jasper could not help but say, “I suppose there is some truth to what you say. I do not feel as though I am dying most of the time, and often, I merely forget. Then, there is this horrible knot in my stomach, and I begin to sweat, the memory returning.” Jasper finished his tea and pushed it aside, feeling much stronger for having sipped it.
“Let us talk of other things. You shall be around for my wedding.”
“Is it going well with Abigail?” Jasper could not admit that he had asked Catherine about the matter.
“No, it most certainly is not, but I am a determined man and I know that I can bring her around. There is this overwhelming sense that she is testing me at every turn,” Felton admitted.
“Then she is a smart woman, indeed. You should be tested.”
Felton rolled his eyes. “I am a solid chap and there is no sense in the testing. Why can she not merely accept my advances and let me have her for the rest of my days?”
Jasper put up a soothing hand. “Now, now. Do you not think that you should be testing her too? What makes you assume that she is the perfect woman for you? If you ask me, I think that you make this assumption because she is proving to be rather difficult.”
Felton’s mouth dropped open as he considered these words. “That is very astute,” he went on. “Yes, maybe it is because she is so difficult, but I must admit that my ardency for her love feels true and undying.”
“Have you informed her of this?” Jasper asked.
“Of course not. I want her to feel the same for me before I admit to such a thing!”
Jasper could not help but laugh. “You find yourself in quite a predicament. I would hate to be in your position.” He clasped his hands behind his neck and leaned back in his chair.
All of a sudden, Felton had a curious look in his eyes. “Tell me, how is your predicament these days?”
It was obvious that he was referring to Catherine. Considering that he had admitted to his impending death, it seemed the right time to admit to his love. “My feelings for Catherine are no doubt akin to yours for Abigail. I very much wish that was not the case, for it puts me in a difficult position, indeed.”
“How so?”
Fire and brimstone, was Felton bereft of his wits? “I am dying, man! Catherine does not deserve that. She deserves a man that walks upon the earth and does not lie six feet beneath it.”
Felton paused and scratched his chin. “Then do not tell her. Woo her and let her know on your wedding day.”
