Page 78 of Treating a Sinful Earl
“Of you, I can always be proud,” he said with a smile. “You are my angel. Do you know that? Yes, I sense that you might heal me, and that leads me to believe that God has sent you to me so that I might love you.”
“Believe what you will,” she said softly. “Whether it be chance or fate, there is only you and me now. We are free to do as we please.”
Jasper felt his jaw clench. “A dangerous proposition to mention that so soon.”
She knit her brow. “What do you mean?”
“You mentioned doing as we please. Pardon me, wife. I have spoken out of turn.”
Recognition appeared on her face. “I understand what you imply. Is it all right to admit to my nervousness?”
Jasper all at once felt incredibly protective. “There is nothing to be nervous about. I am your husband, and you are my wife. What is between us is sacred. All of it.”
There were several things in that moment that Jasper could not admit. It had been capturing his imagination more and more. The notion that he and Catherine were soon to be wed and they would be privy to all that entailed. Each time, it stirred him like he had not been stirred before. She would be his…all his. The notion was heady, but it did not make him feel faint. It emboldened him. Although it would not be his first time experiencing intimacy, it would be for Catherine, and he would ensure that she felt comfort and trust throughout.
But he would not be able to hold back. Jasper would have to let go because there was no other course of action. He would take her fully and know that for the rest of her life she would be cared for because of it. He would devote himself to giving her pleasure. It was what she deserved, well before his own pleasure. She would be satisfied daily and in every conceivable way.
“I am surprised that we have waited this long,” Jasper went on. “In all seriousness, I feared that I might not be able to hold back on several occasions. I am glad that your honour is intact.”
Catherine giggled and brought a hand to cover her mouth, which he found transfixing. “I am surprised myself. There were moments where I feared that we had gone too far and would not be able to stop. But I am also glad that we waited. There is so much in store for us.”
“You have no idea,” he said hungrily.
“And you will need to teach me many things.”
“Trust that I will.”
“And I would like…several children.”
Jasper was positively glowing. Yes, he also wished for several children if God granted him enough time to do it. What beautiful children Catherine would bear for him. He was sure that they would be as strong and smart as their mother, and hopefully, just as kind and gentle. But alas, he could not help but fear that they might develop the same malady that he suffered from….
“Trust that I crave the same. We shall have a large family if God allows us to. Catherine, will you do something for me?”
“Anything,” she said, eyes blinking.
“Will you come this very evening to my manor? You have met my mother, but now I should like for my mother to meet my future wife.”
Catherine brought a hand to her chest. “I would be honoured, but do you think she will approve of me?”
“Of course she will. I know that she was rather fond of you on our last encounter. This time, she will be more in love with you still, especially when she knows how much I love you.”
“Then I shall not be nervous. If you are by my side, then I have nothing to fear.”
“There is more truth to those words than you know.” He held her face in his hands, again desperate to kiss her, but now the anticipation for their wedding night was so great that Jasper would wait. Everything would be perfect. The tension within him was forceful, but so be it. All of that would be quenched ever so slightly on their first encounter, but he was quite certain it would not be fully quenched until he saw his final days.
“Might I be honest about something?” Catherine asked.
“I wish that you would be honest about everything.”
“I am surprised that my father agreed so quickly.”
A devilish grin came to his lips. “And I am not.”
“Why not?” She cocked her head to the side.
“Because what you do not realize is that I was in your home just as you departed. Your father and I spent the better part of the day together, and it took some convincing. I had my steward come to your home to prove my finances, and even Abigail paid a call to prove your love for me.”
Catherine’s mouth dropped open in shock. “Is this true?”
