Page 79 of Treating a Sinful Earl
“Of course, this is true. I have never lied to you.”
“Except for when you neglected to tell me that you were a dying man.”
Jasper put up his hand. “That was neglecting to tell you something, not a lie.”
“Oh, you are a terrible man! You never allow me to win!”
He could not help but laugh. “I will always allow you to win…except on this occasion.”
She sighed deeply, then looked up at the tall trees that swayed in the breeze. “It is so funny to think that we have come so far in such a short period of time.”
“I am not surprised in the slightest. We should have gone faster.”
“Nonsense! I do not even know how long it has been, but certainly, we should not have gone faster.”
“You gave into me because I pressed so hard. Admit it.”
“I gave in because I love you,” she assured him. “There is no other truth.”
Jasper’s face fell. It was all too apparent that his love was growing more forceful each second. By the time that they married, he might very well be a dead man anyhow, not able to survive the force of his love.
“Tell me about this shaman,” Jasper said, eager to hear of the man that was to teach his future wife.
“He is a remarkable man. Ninety-five in years and yet looks no older than thirty! He has wise eyes and a rather slim build. When I first encountered him, he was praying.”
“I trust you with him already. I do not foresee that you shall run away with a man of ninety-five years.”
“Ha! There is a very good chance that I shall not, but you must keep your guard up all the same.”
“I shall. If you were to be taken from me, the illness would surely conquer me with tinctures or no tinctures.”
He felt a swelling of love in his chest. No, he was sure that Catherine would always be devoted to him. His instincts instructed him so. What had he done in this life to be so lucky to have a lady such as her? What had he done to deserve such a gem? Surely, it was a sign from the heavens that he must live, for to cut such love short would be the world’s greatest tragedy.
“I must make preparations for supper tonight, although I hate to leave,” Jasper said.
“I am rather excited now. I hope that she will embrace me with open arms.”
“Believe that she will.” Jasper came in close and planted a kiss upon her cheek, letting his lips linger there for some time before pulling away. “I will send my coach.”
“I will be waiting.”
He turned and departed, sad to do so, and always feeling that lingering ache when she was gone. Still, his mother would be informed of the evening ahead. He made haste to return to his estate, and when he arrived, his mother was seated in the parlour as she was wont to do.
“There is a special supper this evening,” he informed her.
“Oh?” She lifted her brows.
“Indeed. Catherine Trowbridge shall be attending, and she is to be my future wife….”
His mother slowly rose from her seat. “Do you jest?”
“I do not.”
“But Jasper! Your health! What on earth are you thinking?”
“I think that there is still a chance that I will survive, and I wish for Catherine to be my wife. There is no other way of saying it. It is being arranged. Her father has agreed, and I shall proceed.”
She shook her head from side to side. “This is of some concern. What of the doctor’s letter? What of the six months?”
