Page 54 of Treating a Sinful Earl
“Then give into those feelings with haste,” he said with a smile. “I will provide you with everything that you need. I will open a shop for you. You can do as you please.”
“This is too generous,” she said, blinking several times.
“I want to give you all that I have.”
Catherine fell silent once more. Yes, Jasper was pushing her, and he did not like the feeling of it. “I do not know what to say, other than…I love you, Jasper.”
A wave of delicious relief descended, and Jasper allowed the moment to linger. His heart was bursting with happiness. Yes, he would do anything for Catherine, and as long as she knew that he would wait. Even though he did not know how much time he had, Jasper would wait.
“I want to bring you to my home. Just you and I. Can it be arranged?”
The prospect seemed daring, to say the least, but there was nothing more tantalizing than the knowledge that she was under his roof, and it was only the two of them. He would dispatch his mother in some way.
“I…I must admit that I have been leaving my home entirely alone. For whatever reason, the chaperone allows me to do it! Oh, I think that she is turning a blind eye, and I am most grateful that she is doing so. These moments that we spend alone are some of the greatest in my memory. I…will try to come to your home.”
Jasper clapped his hands together. “You do not know how happy that makes me. Tomorrow? Monday night? I will make sure that a supper is prepared, I can show you everything, and we can discuss more.”
Really, all that Jasper wished to discuss was the prospect of making Catherine his wife, whether he was healed or no. This resolution was now so strong there was no denying it. They could discuss this over supper, and he could convince her, once and for all. If she continued to make him wait, so be it. Yet still, he would not stop until Catherine was his.
“Let us walk,” she said, continuing down the path.
Jasper followed her, his hands clasped behind his back. “I shall have Felton follow you from your home to ensure that you are all right. Perhaps you can inform your parents that you are taking an evening ride with Abigail.”
Catherine seemed to bristle after this, leaving Jasper to wonder what he had said that had been amiss. “I fear for Abigail,” she said faintly.
“Fear for her?”
“Walter gave the most impeccable advice today about following one’s heart. I fear that Abigail shall never learn this lesson.” Catherine paused. “Oh, Jasper, she confided in me through correspondence. She said that she has true feelings for Felton, but she does not know how to proceed for the territory is all too new. I have not yet responded to her letter, for I wanted to take the time out here in the wilderness to consider things. I think that…I think that she is afraid, in a similar fashion that I am.”
Jasper allowed this to sink in. Why should either of them fear? Good men had fallen in love with them and showed their hearts. He wished there was a way to make them trust.
“Although I feel inclined to push the matter, I know that this is not the right course. I am happy to learn of Abigail’s affections, and I know that Felton would be overjoyed. Inform Abigail that she should take her time, just as you must. In the end, everything will happen as it is supposed to. I trust in that.”
Catherine smiled broadly, no doubt pleased by his response. “I shall inform her of that perspective, but I wish to see her be courageous! I wish to see Abigail dive into love with abandon.”
Jasper wished to see Catherine do much the same. “Speak to her as you must. You are her closest friend, and she will listen to you. Felton is not going elsewhere with these affections, and she should know of that, as well.”
She tilted her face up towards the sky and closed her eyes. “So much is happening. All my life, I was content living simply,” she said, opening her eyes once more. “There was a sense that nothing would change. And now? Everything is changing so quickly. It is rather thrilling.”
“I agree.”
But Jasper could not banish the trepidation in his breast. He was a sick man. A dying man. For Catherine, the whole world was in front of her, and for him, the majority of his life was now behind him. This realization could not be banished from his mind, nor should it be. This truth would only propel Jasper forward into his destiny with more gratitude.
“Shall we continue our walk? I am a mess of nerves all of a sudden.”
As she walked, Jasper followed by her side once more. “Why a mess of nerves?”
Her voice turned hushed. “Sometimes, I fear for you. Nay, all the time!”
This was the very conversation that Jasper wished to avoid. He had had no symptoms the entire day, and he did not wish for something to spring up now. “Do not fear for me. I am resolved. I do not know why the Lord above has chosen this path for me, but I shall walk this path. There is no other choice, and I do not require your pity.”
“I did not say that I pitied you,” Catherine protested.
“You implied it. Be honest with me. Is this the reason why you will not accept my offer?”
She fell silent, and now Jasper was the one that was a fit of nerves. For all his composure regarding his health, it was now vexing that this might be the very reason why he could not have the woman that he loved.
“I do not fear it, Jasper. And I can still help you!” As she said this, she placed her hands upon his chest. He took her wrists into his own hands.
