Page 67 of Treating a Sinful Earl
“She remained in the nunnery for one year’s time. I wrote her letters all the while because I was a determined man and wanted her to know that I loved her, no matter what choices she needed to make. Well, one morning, there was a knock upon my door, and I went to answer it. There stood Minnie, no longer in her nun’s habit. She was dressed in plain clothing, and there were tears in her eyes.”
“Tears of remorse?” Jasper wondered.
“No, no. Tears of affection. She had spent her time with God then returned to me with the realization that it was an ungodly life that she preferred.”
Both Jasper and Walter laughed at this. “I think that she made the right decision,” Jasper said with amusement.
“That is up for debate. But we married soon thereafter and have kept the same company since. You see,” Walter went on, leaning in, “whether it is the man or the woman that pulls away, there is a reason for doing it. Trust that if you let the object of your affections go, there is still a chance that they will come back.”
Jasper fell silent. Walter’s words had stirred him, and he felt hope rekindle in his breast. Yes, perhaps the news was merely too shocking for Catherine, and she required this time in order to examine her own heart. The only problem was that Jasper did not have time….
All of this would be shared with Walter, as well. “I am a sick man,” Jasper went on. “Catherine’s remedies have helped me in some measure, but a frightful note from the doctor has changed everything. Since she saw this letter, I have not been able to speak with her.”
There was shock and sadness written on Walter’s face. “This is dreadful news.”
“Indeed,” Jasper replied weightily. “I do not know if I would have told her immediately, had I the chance. I have already asked for her hand in marriage, and prior to the letter, Catherine shared with me that she accepted. But now…I guess that six months is not long enough to be married.”
Now, Walter looked positively bereft. “My lord, if I may be so bold, could I do it all again, I would have waited that year for Minnie, if only to spend six brief months in her company.”
“I feel much the same. But alas, Catherine does not.”
Just then, quite unexpectedly, footfalls were heard, and Jasper looked down the path to discover Catherine coming their way with her chaperone in tow. Jasper instantly stood, delighting in the sight of her. Alas, she did not seem as delighted, for she stopped dead in her tracks and stared at him in shock. He did not say a thing, not wishing to startle her. After being frozen for what felt like an eternity, she came closer.
Walter was the next to stand, and he said, “I shall leave you. This is an important moment.”
“I think that it might be,” Jasper replied. “I thank you for your sound counsel.”
Walter placed his hat upon his head. “I wish you all the luck in the world, my lord.”
“You are a good man.” He watched as Walter untied his horse, jumped atop it, and fled in the opposite direction. Then Jasper turned his attention to Catherine, who continued to approach tentatively. Once she was in earshot, he said, “I came looking for you.”
“I did not plan to take a stroll today.” She clutched herself. “It has been a trying morning.”
“Is there anything that I can do? I have been desperate to speak with you.”
She shook her head. “The news did not come as a shock, merely the timeline.”
“I was not surprised by it myself. I am merely sorry that you had to discover that letter without me telling you first.”
She gazed off into the distance. “It does not matter in the end, does it?”
“Why would you remark that it does not matter?”
“Because I fear that what Selina said was true.” Catherine finally met his eyes, and there was anguish in them. “She said that you were using me.”
“I never once used you,” Jasper assured her.
“But…why did you kiss me? Why did you propose to me? So that the marriage could be consummated before you left this earth.”
Jasper was treading on delicate ground. He knew that the chaperone could hear all, but Jasper did not care. “I would indeed be lying to you if I said that I did not look forward to that. But this was not the only thing that I wanted. I wanted all of you, body and soul. If that would only be for a brief period of time, then so be it. I wanted to know true happiness before I left this earth.”
“But did you consider what that might do to me? To my heart?”
Jasper nodded. “Yes, I knew that it would be painful in the end, and it was selfish of me to still want it. For your sacrifice, I was willing to give you all that I possess so that you might live a life of freedom.”
Tears fell from Catherine’s eyes. “But I desire you more than my freedom. Oh, I never fully considered it. I merely wished to be with you, and I did not consider the hurt. It is difficult to not believe what Selina said, and I find myself so confused most of the time that I do not know what to believe!”
“Then believe me.” Jasper stepped in. “Believe the man that loves you. Trust in me, and please take what I am offering you so that I can die a happy man.”
