Page 61 of Treating a Sinful Earl
He sighed weightily. “You know that Jasper is in ill health.”
“I do. That does not change my love for him.”
“And you know that he does not know…how long he has.”
Her response was breathless. “I know this, as well.”
“Then, however much you are both enraptured in this moment, understand that this might be a more trying situation than you realize.”
Catherine assumed that she knew everything, but now Felton was making it sound as though she was not aware of something much darker and deeper. She felt her heart race in her chest but there was no time to discuss this matter with Felton any further. She continued on their journey, suddenly filled with fear that the evening ahead would not be as perfect as she had assumed it would be.
The only faint hint of relief came when Catherine reached Jasper’s estate, where the lights were shining and everything surrounding it was silent. She finally exhaled, filled with excitement for seeing him again, for being alone with him again. Perhaps, his words would make it all well again. There was something ever so healing about Jasper’s words, his voice, his sentiments.
She quickly rushed to the door and was escorted in by Felton, just as she had been the first time. Once inside, Catherine finally felt at home, for truly, the brief time that she had spent at Jasper’s home had felt more like home than the home that she was raised in!
Felton dutifully led her to the study, where Jasper was yet again seated at his desk. Catherine could not help but grin from ear to ear upon seeing him. Yes, this man felt like home as much as his estate felt like home. She wished to rush into his arms, but to do so would be hasty, considering that Felton was still there.
“Should I go?” Felton asked.
Jasper put up a steady hand. “Stay for a moment.”
Catherine thought this odd, for she was desperate to be alone with Jasper, but she sensed from her previous conversation with Felton that something was certainly amiss.
Felton pulled out a chair for Catherine and then seated himself. Once all three were situated, Jasper spoke with an official air. “It was a success?” he asked.
Felton nodded. “Indeed. I think that you might just pull it off, but I do not know for how long.”
Finally, Jasper’s gaze turned on Catherine, and her eyes implored him to tell her what was going on. Instead, she said simply, “I am most happy to be here, and I am grateful for your letter.”
Jasper released a smile. “I meant every word.”
Catherine examined his face. Although he was being most business-like, there was something tense in Jasper’s expression. It was all too clear that something was amiss when he brought a hand up to his forehead. Felton sprang to his feet, “Shall I procure the tincture?”
Jasper shook his head. “There is no need. All is well.” He coughed. “I merely wanted to know if everything was done safely. You are free to go, Felton.”
Felton remained in his seat as though he had trepidation about this command. “I can stay longer.”
“Go,” Jasper said softly, prompting Felton to get up and walk slowly to the door.
Once they were finally alone, Catherine could not help but ask, “What has happened? I feel as though I am not being told something.”
He fell silent for but a brief moment. “I fear that my symptoms have been strong since the last time that we saw one another.”
It was the very explanation that Catherine feared. “I can make more tinctures!” she offered. “Perhaps your supply is low.”
Jasper shook his head definitively. “I have plenty. It has been a trying morning, and all that was on my mind was your safe return to your future home.”
“But I want this future home to contain you…all of you. Let us focus on your health first.”
“You have already revived me,” Jasper said with a smile. “I have been struggling all day, but now that you are here, I feel my strength returning.”
Catherine could not help but get up from her chair to join him. She came around the desk, placing her hands softly upon his shoulders and leaning down to kiss him upon the cheek. Jasper quickly circumvented this and placed his lips where his cheek had been.
“You are so terribly sneaky!” Catherine teased once the kiss was done.
“You have no idea.”
With perfect ease, Jasper managed to pull Catherine onto his lap and there she sat, breathing him in and continuing to kiss him. There she wished to remain for the rest of her days; there was where she could eternally sit once they were wed.
