Page 71 of Treating a Sinful Earl
“She says to not give up hope. I would express the same sentiment. It might be all too clear that the lady has feelings for you. You should go to her.”
“Go to her? When I am being ignored?” Felton asked in confusion. “I…There are moments where I do not think that I have the strength to continuously endure this situation.”
Jasper was disappointed. Felton was not acting like himself, and it was discouraging. “Why do you talk in this manner? Your undying love for her inspires me every day.”
Felton huffed. “I have not given up on my love. I still feel it intensely. Oh, my friend, I must admit that your current circumstances have changed my opinion on things.”
This was distressing, so Jasper fled the window and came to the desk. “Explain this.”
“I feel…sad. I guess I shall say. I do not wish to lose you, and this has made me view the world in a different way, I am afraid.”
Jasper sighed then seated himself. Yes, there was much to say on this matter but also nothing to say at all. The situation could not be changed, even if it pained all those around him.
“Do not change your view of the world because of me. What happens shall happen. There is nothing we can do. Let us delight in our friendship while we have the time and know that all is well.”
Felton smiled. “You are a brave man. I shall be the same.”
“I am most glad to hear it.”
They sat in silence for several moments, basking in the sadness that lingered and also the hope. No, there was no sense in having them linger on the sadness. “Let us drink brandy!” Jasper exclaimed, getting up from his seat and securing the bottle.
“What should I do about Abigail? Merely tell me, and I shall do it.”
“Ask for her hand in marriage,” Jasper advised.
“Just like that?”
“Just like that. I think that she is waiting for it, and in the meantime, she does not know what to do.”
Felton frowned. “There is still a chance that she will say no. I shall be a broken man when that happens.”
“Nonsense. If she says no, then you simply must be patient and wait for her. There is no other way. A dear acquaintance of mine told me the other day that patience is a virtue.”
“How can you have patience when you are going to die?” Felton asked, a note of humour in his voice.
“We are all going to die, my friend,” Jasper said, pouring the brandy. “But some men never live.”
He walked over with the drinks and handed one to Felton. The two men clinked glasses and leaned back in their chairs. “She is the most beautiful woman that I have ever known,” Felton said with a warm smile.
“Abigail is a beautiful woman, but she is not as beautiful as Catherine in my eyes.”
“Do you think that she shall accept your proposal again?”
“I have absolutely no idea,” he replied, not a bit of fear in his voice.
Truly, at this point, it did not matter if she accepted. Jasper was content with merely loving. He was content with having the courage to lay his emotions bare, no matter the consequences. Of course, he desperately wished for her to comply, but if she did not, Jasper would die comfortably knowing that he had done his best. What more could a man ask for? If he went to his deathbed thinking that he had not done enough, then he would be filled with remorse. No, he had done everything within his power and Jasper was proud of himself. He had done what was right. Jasper had led from the heart. With any luck, the following morning, he would get to see Catherine once more. And if that luck held, she would have him.
“I have had a pleasant premonition about the future,” Jasper said, raising his glass.
***
The following morning, when Jasper saw her in the forest, he was beside himself with happiness. She looked lovelier than ever, and he kept her note in his pocket as a sound reminder that she had been deceived and now her mind had changed. Still…there was no telling what she would say.
“I received your letter,” he said, standing before her. “It warmed my heart.”
Her eyes were imploring. “Can you forgive me? I did not know that Selina was deceiving me. I trusted her, and her ideas infiltrated my mind. But know that I have never lost my love for you, as the note suggests.”
Oh, but Jasper did not wish to talk! He wanted to hold her and kiss her. He wished to do everything in his power to touch her. But to do so in this moment would be vastly inappropriate, and he restrained himself, not wishing for her to take offence.
