Page 41 of Treating a Sinful Earl
Catherine felt a lump in her throat, for sometimes, it seemed as though Jasper could not take his eyes off of her.
Jasper continued, “Looking back on it, it was all rather silly, for she was a haughty sort of girl, and I do not think that she had any interest in me. All the same, my feelings persisted. I picked her a single red rose and brought it to her door, which was very forward of me, but I was a young man and did not know any better. I knocked upon the door, and a footman answered.”
Catherine could not help but interject. “I fear that this story is going to be painful, and I sit her anxiously listening.”
He nodded and smiled. “Your instincts have instructed you correctly. So, I knock upon the door, a footman opens it, and I ask to see the young lady of the house whilst I held the rose nervously, but still bounding with hope. I was led to the parlour, where she and her governess sat, and essentially confessed my undying love and handed her the rose.”
Catherine’s face fell open in shock. “What did she say?”
“There was a fearful look in her eyes, and she informed me that she was scheduled to be wed. I thought this rather curious, for I had not heard of the occurrence. I left her estate, still holding the rose in my hand.”
Catherine’s heart sank. “What a dreadful story, but it was no doubt arranged by her parents…the marriage.”
He had a sad and mischievous look in his eyes. “As it turned out, she was not scheduled to wed. She had merely said it because she did not find my advances pleasing.”
Catherine blinked several times, hating to see the pain in his eyes. “You still carry this heartbreak?”
Jasper laughed, then gazed up at the tall trees. “Oh, I rarely think of it. But when one’s heart is injured, it rarely goes away completely. I secretly believe that is why I have been so aloof with women.”
This seemed strange, for Jasper was anything but aloof with her.
Chapter 19
Jasper had already made arrangements to walk with Catherine in the forest the following day. This was undertaken after they had lingered in the forest until the sun set. The day had been transfixing, and Jasper found himself glad that he had encountered her, for he hoped that it might become something of a ritual.
On this particular day, the sun shone gloriously in the sky, and Jasper looked to Catherine from time to time, admiring her profile and his good fortune that he had ever met her at all. Not only was his health improving, but his heart was opening in new and miraculous ways.
“My father suspects something,” Catherine said softly, as they walked along.
“What do you mean?” Jasper asked in curiosity.
She stopped and turned towards him. “He suspects that I am not in the forest alone. I forgot to mention that I escaped without my chaperone the previous day, and when he inquired after why I was home so late, the chaperone gave an exasperated expression for she was just as confused. I relayed to him that I had lost track of time. My chaperone, being the tight-lipped woman that she is, did not mention a thing, and even allowed me to escape today without her! Surely, my father will come to realize that something is afoot.”
Jasper delighted in his good fortune. Yes, he had been entirely alone with her the previous day, but he did not inquire after it, for he assumed that it was a mistake and would be amended. But Catherine had seemed to feel no shame in regard to this, and so, Jasper let it pass without asking. Now…he was entirely alone with her again.
“I hope that you do not find it shocking.”
“Not in the slightest!” Catherine shared. “I feel remarkably comfortable in your company. And although it is quite the scandal. I do not think that anyone has to know. This can be our little secret. Although, I hate carrying secrets.”
No, Catherine did not seem like the type that held many secrets, and this was comforting, for he knew that many in society had their unmentionable bits of character. But Catherine was different. She wore her heart on her sleeve and had nothing to hide. If only Jasper could say the same, for he had still not told her about the gravity of his ailment.
“Then let us delight in this time,” Jasper said, continuing their stroll. “No one shall ever know, and I am confident that you are safe in my company, as well. What’s more, I believe that it is easier to get to know one another when we spend time in this way.”
Catherine smiled broadly. “That is just it! It is so dreadful when one knows that they must be watched at all times. Now, it is as though I can fully be myself, and I have so many more shrubs to show you.”
This caused Jasper to laugh. “You have already shown me so much. Now, I am merely intent upon seeing more of you.”
Catherine blushed after this remark, and Jasper found it appealing. In fact, every time that her cheeks coloured, Jasper felt like the man that he always wished to be. There were many more things that he wished to do to make her blush, but these things would have to be pushed to the recesses of his brain.
They finally seated themselves upon a little plot of grass that was shady from the overhead trees. It was comforting; the cool breeze passing through, the sound of birdsong, the rush of a nearby stream. In his memory, Jasper painted this picture so that he could remember it always.
“Tell me, how is Felton getting on?” Catherine asked.
“I fear that he has not improved. He continues to pursue Abigail, and Abigail plays aloof. He said that he discovered her in a cafe yesterday and she was seated with a gentleman.”
“That is impossible!” Catherine protested. “There is no way that could be. Surely, her chaperone was with her at the very least.”
“So she was, but this did nothing to cool Felton’s discontent. He insisted that I go to the public house with him last night so that he might drown his sorrows.”
