Page 62 of Treating a Sinful Earl
Just when Catherine thought her passion could not grow any further, Jasper quickly pulled away, and his coughing ensued. She quickly got up, placed a concerned hand behind his back and asked, “What can I do?”
“Go and procure the tinctures.”
She knew exactly where to go. The evening before, he had instructed her where to find his tinctures in his room. She ran from the study and rushed up the stairs, passing several housemaids as she did so. Catherine did not care what they thought. She needed to help the man that she loved. Once in his room, there was no time to reminisce about the last occasion that they had slept there together. She opened the bureau and procured the tinctures that he required. These being secured, she ran back to the study.
After entering, she saw that Jasper was sitting up straight and massaging his temples. She brought him the tinctures and administered them herself. Once this was done, she heaved a sigh of relief.
“Any better?” she asked.
“I am starting to come to.” He reached out his hands and grasped her hips, pulling her onto him again. As she sat there—on the most perfect throne she had ever known—Catherine brought her hand through his hair.
“You frightened me.”
“I hate when I do that,” he shared.
“There’s nothing to hate about it. I merely want to help you. Your sickness does not temper my love. Nor does it increase it. It is merely the state of affairs.”
“I admire your attitude,” he said with a wry smile. “All day, I feared that you would see me in this state. But all of this is behind us now, and we are free to enjoy our supper…and one another’s company.”
Finally, the beating of her heart slowed, and she exhaled. “Yes, that is all that matters. I merely wish to be in your company.”
They sat there for some time, gazing into one another’s eyes. There was a twinkle in his eye, which she had not seen after she first arrived. “I am happy that you have arrived safely.”
“I fear that Selina does not approve of all of this,” Catherine shared.
“It matters little whether she approves or no.”
“But I fear that she might reveal all of this to my father.”
“And as I said, I am going to speak with him, so even that is of no importance.”
“Yes, I suppose that you are right. It does not matter what my father thinks. I love you, and nothing can come in the way of that.”
Jasper rocked her to and fro as he said, “For now, I wish to feed you, for you might be famished.”
“I am only famished for your love.”
“Then allow me to fully satiate you,” he said warmly.
Chapter 29
It would not do. Despite Catherine being present, the news from the doctor was all too crushing. He felt another coughing fit coming on and Jasper felt exhausted. Instead of allowing her to see any more of this, he quickly excused himself, saying that he preferred to take a cup of tea before they went in for supper.
“Can I get you some?” Jasper asked.
“That sounds agreeable.”
Catherine got up from his lap, which Jasper regretted, then he left the study. Before making his way to the kitchen, he stopped in the hall and pressed his back against the wall, willing it all to go away. The news from the doctor had been a shock, and now he was at a loss for how to proceed. Would Catherine still wish to marry him after she knew what he knew? Would she still love him? He shook his head in dismay and made his way to the kitchen, where the cook was hard at work.
“You look pale,” the cook said.
“It has been a trying day.” He massaged the bridge of his nose.
“Then come on inside and let me fix you something.”
“Two cups of tea will do.” That was when Jasper smelled the tantalizing aroma that emanated from the cook’s pots. “I am sure this shall be an excellent meal.”
The cook prepared the tea as she spoke. “Braised lamb, green beans, and potatoes. There is a soup course as well.”
