Page 7 of Treating a Sinful Earl
“May I have the pleasure of dancing with you before evening’s end?”
Catherine coloured deeply. “I fear that is a bad idea. I am a horrible dancer.”
“Somehow, I do not believe that.”
“Believe it! I would step on your toes. There is no doubt of that.”
Jasper could not help but grin. “I would not take offence. I might even enjoy it.”
The conversation fell silent at that point, and Jasper had to wonder if he had said too much. Although he was sure that if she did step on his toes, he would barely feel it, for she was just a slip of a thing. As the silence continued, he could not help but speak again to make sure he had not startled her. “I am sorry if I have offended.”
“You have not offended. I just find you to be a very amusing gentleman.”
“Why is that?” Jasper asked, his curiosity unbounded.
“Because you are not what I expected you to be. When my friends described you, I thought that you might be an intimidating sort of fellow.”
“How did they describe me?”
Although Jasper rarely cared for what others thought of him, in this instance, the answer would be very important.
“As a man who could claim a wife at any moment, if he chose.”
He did not know what to think of this. Naturally, because of his title, he could have a wife soon, if he wished for one, but in the recesses of his mind, he had to wonder what the point of that would be. It would be a woman who would have to understand his predicament, and that woman would need to be most patient indeed.
“There is no hurry when it comes to such matters,” he assured her, although Jasper thought that when it came to a lady like Catherine Trowbridge, there would very much be a hurry.
“There is no pressure upon you?”
How was he to explain?
Jasper shook his head mournfully. “My mother does not put pressure on me. She understands that I am taking my time.”
Catherine sighed. “I am ever so jealous. My parents put a great deal of pressure upon me.” She reconsidered this. “No, I suppose that is not fair. They are allowing me some freedoms, but they have made it very clear that they wish for me to be married this year.”
Jasper felt that familiar knot in his stomach. She would be married this year? That would be painful to witness. What’s more, he did not like that Catherine seemed displeased by the notion of it. If he could help her to escape, he would.
Which brought up a marvellous idea….
“It is unfortunate that they put this pressure on you. I am sure that it is uncalled for.”
Catherine laughed affably. “I suppose that it is called for. If I was left to my own devices, there is a very good chance that I would never be married at all!”
“I enjoy your spirit!”
“That is what my parents view as the very problem. It is my spirit that instils them with fear, for they think that I am rather headstrong.”
Oh, but this was far too much fun! Jasper loved a headstrong woman, and perhaps he had never met one the likes of Catherine Trowbridge before.
“I think that you should do as you please. Allow your parents to shake in their boots,” he offered humorously, delighting in the amused reaction upon Catherine’s face.
“They already are,” she assured him.
As they gazed at one another, Jasper noted that she did not look away nor did she blush. He saw her strength and independence come through and this was most pleasing to witness, particularly because it only caused her beauty to grow.
“May I ask you something?”
“Of course, my lord.”
