Page 53 of Treating a Sinful Earl
Catherine exhaled deeply. “Trust that I know of how lucky I am, so why can I not accept the Earl’s advances? Why do I drag my feet when I know for sure that I love him?”
“What you speak of is true love, like the love I have for Minnie. This love cannot be rushed. Because you sense that it is real in your heart, your instinct is to slow down instead of advance. You are doing everything right, Catherine Trowbridge.”
She smiled broadly. Yes, this was the boost to her confidence that she needed. “But what am I to do now? My father has a mind to send me to London so that I might join the Season there. He wishes to remove himself from Bath and alas…take me off his hands.”
His expression turned serious. “I do not envy the plight of you ladies. Minnie was never a society lady and had no such restrictions. I will tell you this, follow your heart and do not allow your father to push you. What you have with the Earl of Simmons seems all too real. Inform him of this if you must.”
Catherine fell silent. Did she have the courage to do such a thing? What would her father say? Surely, her father would be pleased with such a prospect, but she did not know that it was so real until recently. Yes, she would have to tell him, and hopefully, this would buy her more time.
“What do I owe you for your council today? I feel that this was the very discussion that I needed to clear my mind.”
Walter smiled broadly. “Then I suppose that I have done my duty.” He got up from the stump and walked back towards Old Blue. “I have seen much in this life, and I have been through much. Any time that I can help someone that is not so far along, I feel as though I have done my duty for the day.” He got back atop his horse, and Catherine stood, grateful that Walter had stumbled into her day. “Now, I must depart. If I am not home for tea Minnie will be cross with me.”
“Then you should go. There is much that I must undertake today.”
Walter tipped his hat. “I shall remember that tip about the dandelion tea. I need something for these old bones. And pertaining to the Earl of Simmons,” his voice turned hushed. “Let him shake in his boots for the time being.” With that, he kicked his heels into his horse and walked back along the path, leaving Catherine standing there, a cool breeze running through her hair.
No, she did not wish to let Jasper shake in his boots. She wished to give him the same honesty that he had allowed her. Oh, she would need all the courage that she could muster! She would inform Jasper of her true affections. Then her father would have to be informed of it. Despite her fear, Catherine would lead with her heart, for Walter had assured her that that would take her in the right direction.
She continued her stroll along the path, feeling light as air but also feeling her heart skip a beat just as soon as the Earl appeared, walking up the path towards her. She did not expect to see him this morning! His letter was still lodged in the bodice of her gown. From a distance, she could see that Jasper was smiling, and she had the instinct to run towards him but prevented herself. As Walter had said, love requires steady patience.
Chapter 25
Jasper, despite his vulnerability, never felt so happy when he beheld Catherine. It was what he was hoping for, and now he had her entirely alone yet again. “I hope that my presence does not startle you.”
She replied humorously, “At this stage in the game, it would startle me to not encounter you. You would not believe the charming conversation I just had.”
He felt a tinge of jealousy, for surely she must have encountered a gentleman. “Tell me of it.”
“I met Walter Pembroke. Does the name sound familiar?”
“My hat maker?” He felt relief upon hearing the name. “I have been going to that chap for years. I am glad that you had the chance to meet him. He makes the best hats in all of Bath.”
“He was a rather down to earth fellow, despite his success. We spoke of…various topics.”
From the look of bashfulness upon her face, Jasper gleaned that they must have spoken of much. Perhaps he was mentioned. In fact, he had to have been mentioned if Catherine was already familiar with the connection. “Whatever he said about me is not true,” he added wittily.
“Then I should not believe that you are a kind man, a good man, and that rumours surround which are not true.”
“Precisely, all the rumours are entirely true. I am no good.”
Both of them laughed, and Jasper delighted in this bit of humour. He inhaled deeply, basking in the beauty of her red hair shining under the light of day. His stomach flipped when he was reminded of their last encounter and how his symptoms had forced him to flee. He wished that Catherine never had to see such things, but the reality of his plight was all too clear, and there was no way around it.
“I cannot believe that,” she finally replied. “I know you to be a good man.”
“Yet you will not accept my offer?”
She gazed towards the ground. “Walter spoke of patience and the slow nature of what he describes as love.”
Jasper was pleased that she mentioned the word love, for that was the only appropriate way of describing what he and Catherine shared. “In theory, that seems to be true. But I feel an ardency that requires action. Please understand.”
Now, Catherine laughed, and this made Jasper’s stomach flip yet again. “He also said that he lied ruthlessly to his wife when he was courting her. This was the execute the match with haste. So, I guess that Walter contradicted himself in a way.”
There was much to say in response to this, but Jasper fell silent. Yes, perhaps all men were a contradiction, and this was something that he did not care for. Was it love that brought out the contradiction, or was the contradiction innate in men?
“These things are never simple nor easy. I have…made myself known to you. Please know that I understand why my situation might give you pause, but I hope that you still consider what I have offered.”
She froze, and Jasper feared that he was pushing too hard. “Of course, I consider it. I consider it every moment of every day. But please understand…it is overwhelming at times. I mean…my feelings for you are overwhelming.”
