Page 23 of Treating a Sinful Earl
“Why with haste?” Jasper asked.
“Because my father has always wished to depart from Bath. I guess that his desire to do so comes with more expediency than I realized. Oh, it’s dreadful.” She shook her head mournfully. “But I understand that he is my keeper, and I must do as he advises.”
Jasper did not care for this one bit. Yes, her father was her keeper, but Catherine had a mind of her own and was able to make her own choices. Should he amend this situation right now by asking for her hand? But what was he thinking! That would be absurd, to say the least, and there was no way of imparting to her the direness of his personal situation.
Still, Jasper wished to help in more ways than one. “I can understand how this would be distressing.”
“I was not prepared,” Catherine shared. “I was blindsided by his haste, but now I realize that had he not set these new rules, I might have taken ten years to find a husband!”
They both laughed together, and Jasper admired this about Catherine very much. She was a woman with her own mind and her own will, and that made her so much more appealing in his eyes. What should he do? Should he speak to his mother about the situation and come to a conclusion? The Dowager Countess would most likely be pleased, but it would also make her more sorrowful because it would remind her of the fact that he did not have long for this world.
He let the silence linger, not wishing to puncture it with inconsequential words. He watched her chest heave, and heavens, he had to turn away, for her décolletage was deliciously exposed.
“Have I disturbed you?” Catherine finally asked, appearing ill at ease in the silence after sharing her news.
“Not in the slightest. I have heard of ladies in similar situations, and I am sympathetic to your plight. I wish to help you….”
“It might be impossible. May I be candid?” Catherine asked.
“I wish that you would.”
“I have a great fondness for you, my lord.”
“I imparted that you should call me Simmons. You can even use my given name if you choose.”
Catherine protested, “That would be far too forward!”
“Would it be forward if I called you by your given name?”
She seemed to consider this, her cheeks colouring. “I should very much like it if you referred to my given name.”
Jasper relished in this next word. “Catherine,” he uttered with a smile.
She peered into his eyes breathlessly. “Yes, it does feel good to hear you say that.”
“Say my name, pray?” Jasper instructed her.
She took a moment before she spoke, seemingly hesitant. “Jasper.”
He was in a cloud of happiness now. Everything seemed mistiness with happiness all around him. The familiarity was all too intoxicating for words and Jasper wished to continue the conversation lest he lean in for a kiss. “Catherine, how much longer have you in Bath before you are to depart?”
“Two month’s time. I tried to convince my father to allow me to remain for a year, but he said that was too much time.”
“Pity.”
Now, Jasper’s jaw was clenched. Two months was a very short amount of time, as was a year. It was made all the more dire, for he did not know how much more time he had.
“I am going to help…in any way that I can,” Jasper shared.
“Abigail is already such a help. She is teaching me to step outside of myself.”
“Please, never step outside of yourself. Always remain within yourself.”
He was in over his head. Jasper wished to settle the situation that very moment by telling Catherine that he would be hers, and she would be his. This would solve her problem and also afford him more time in her exquisite company. But would this offer frighten her?
Truly, he would need to explain that very soon he would be a dead man. Although this would temporarily save her from her woes, it would open up a whole new world of troubles that he did not wish for Catherine to witness. Alas, there was no solution in that moment, only more difficulties.
Chapter 11
