Page 49 of Treating a Sinful Earl
She shook her head. “Then do so. I shall carry you if I have to!”
Jasper gave a hearty laugh. “Considering our difference in size, I do not know that this can be possible.”
Now, he held both of her hands, looking deeply into her eyes as he did so. “We shall heal you.”
“You have already healed me, no matter what the outcome will be.” He kissed the backs of her hands, closing his eyes as he did so. There were butterflies in her stomach, and Catherine wished that the moment would never end.
Finally, Jasper said, “Can I walk you back?”
“I shall remain. There is much for me to do,” she assured him.
He cocked his head to the side. “Do not be headstrong on my account. Come with me.”
“No. I must stay.”
With that, she watched as he walked away, turning back towards her every so often. It was the right decision, for Catherine needed to remain in the woods in order to peruse her own thoughts. He wished to marry her, she wished to marry him, and the entirety of the truth had been revealed. So, why did Catherine feel an emptiness inside? Perhaps, just perhaps it was because she already knew the truth but hearing it uttered was far more difficult. Jasper was going to die far sooner than he should.
No, no, she thought to herself. Catherine was going to remedy it.
Chapter 23
Jasper was at a loss. His symptoms were stronger than he cared to admit, and that was why he fled Catherine’s exquisite company. What he needed to do was rest, just as he had expressed. He entered his manor, feeling sad that he had expressed so much and had not received a clear response. But at the same time, he could tell that Catherine was amendable to his desires, and that she desired the same.
His intention was to go straight to his room, but before doing so, he discovered his mother and Felton in the parlour. This was rather peculiar, for he did not know his mother and best friend to spend much time with one another. It did not take long before he realized that this was an intervention of sorts.
“What is the meaning of this?” he asked, looking from one to the other.
Felton was downcast. “We need to speak with you, old chap.”
“Regarding what?”
His mother was the next to speak. “Regarding the blood that was discovered on your linens.”
The realization took hold, and Jasper became angry, feeling as though he was a scolded child in that moment. Still, he seated himself, willing to have the conversation at hand. “Last night, there was coughing at a late hour. I was fatigued and did not notice the blood,” he admitted.
His mother’s eyebrows shot up. “And you did not notice it this morning when you awoke? The housemaid was petrified and came to me at once. Jasper, are your symptoms progressing and you are not speaking of it?”
He fell silent, unsure of how to respond. When the tension became too great, he continued, “I did notice the blood but did not care to deal with it. My health has been improving, but I suffered from wretched dreams last night, and when I woke up this morning, the blood was the last thing that I cared about. There was… somewhere I needed to be.”
Felton shook his head in dismay. “This is not right, my friend. You have revealed the truth to me, but now we must speak frankly. This matter is serious, and I fear that you are not doing everything in your power to amend it.”
This was incredibly frustrating. Jasper was doing everything in his power. He was doing all that he could think of! Why did they not understand how terrifying it was to have his ailment whilst also not knowing what to do about it.
Jasper chose to express optimism. “Catherine is helping. Perhaps the strange incident last night, and this morning, were merely signs that the body is purging itself.”
“Purging itself?” his mother asked. “I think that you have lost your mind. A few herbs and some sentiment for a girl might make you feel temporarily better, but you are not resting enough! You are sending yourself to your grave.”
“I am living my life. That sends everyone to their graves,” he imparted.
“Jasper, you are headstrong. That much I have already shared,” Felton went on. “And I understand that Catherine is…healing you in many ways. But know that I am now deeply concerned. Your mother sent me word at once.”
“Needing to consult with someone!” she exclaimed.
Felton continued, “And she assumed that I did not know the whole truth. But I informed her that I was told and that now I take the matter more seriously.”
“Over some simple blood?” Jasper asked. “Expelling blood is natural and normal.”
Oh, he was trying to rationalize it all, but it was not working. From the scowls upon both of their faces, he sensed that he was not getting out of this one easily.
