“It is the Lady Mary,” Edith supplied helpfully, certain that no words would make it past Lord Aberley’s lips. “Lord Whickerton’s sister. Is that not so?” she asked the duke’s son.
Briefly closing his eyes, Lord Aberley sighed, then nodded. “It is,” he confirmed, then took a step toward his father. “While I hold Lady Adele in the highest esteem, it is Lady Mary who has stolen my heart.” He swallowed. “May I have your blessing to ask for her hand, Father?”
Edith watched as Lord Halston met his son halfway, grasping Lord Aberley’s shoulders. “Yes,” he said simply, a rare smile coming to his face before he glanced at his old friend. “Yes, you have our blessings,” his gaze moved to Adele and then back to his son, “to marry your own choice.”
Joy flooded Edith’s being as she saw Adele sink into her parents’ arms, sobbing helplessly as the strain of the past few weeks fell from her. Lord Aberley, too, embraced his father, hugging him tightly before his eyes rose and met Edith’s, a grateful smile upon his face.
Oh, if all things would go according to plan! Edith thought as her mind turned toward her own hopes for a happily ever after.
Chapter Sixteen
A FOOLISH MAN
Watching Lady Edith leave the great hall on Lord Aberley’s arm, Jasper once again felt his insides twist painfully as all sorts of dark forebodings flooded his mind. Anger ignited in his blood, mingling with an almost blinding fear that he was on the brink of losing her to the duke’s son. Had he truly misunderstood? Perhaps she had liked his kiss but was still determined to become a duchess.
After all, the lady was an enigma.
“Are you skulking in a corner again?” Andrew asked chidingly as he walked up to Jasper, his gaze returning from the arched doorway through which Lady Edith and Lord Aberley had disappeared.
“I’m not skulking,” Jasper hissed, glaring at his friend before redirecting his gaze. “I’m merely…observing.”
“Then stopobservingand ask the girl to marry you,” Andrew huffed impatiently. “She clearly returns your affections. What more do you want?”
Jasper’s head whipped around. “She…?” He eyed his friend carefully, his throat suddenly too dry for words.
Andrew laughed. “Is it not obvious?” He shrugged. “Although I have to admit that she knows how to mask her feelings a bit more effectively than you, I’ve seen that smitten look on her face as well. If you don’t believe me, go and ask her.” He pointed at the arched doorway. “Now, Jasper, before it’s too late and I’ll have to live with that morose look upon your face for the rest of my days.”
Jasper inhaled a deep breath, then nodded. “Very well.” He grinned at Andrew. “If you insist.”
Andrew chuckled. “I’m afraid I must.”
“Thanks,” Jasper mumbled to his friend before hastening out of the hall. Although he did not know where Lady Edith and Lord Aberley had gone, a few inquiries among the footmen gave him a reasonably good idea, and so he hastened up the stairs to the next floor, praying that he was not too late.
Pulling to a halt outside a small parlor, Jasper was tempted to press his ear to the door. He could hear faint voices speaking within, but he was unable to determine what was being said or even who was speaking. Still, simply stepping inside would display poor manners, and he could not bring himself to do so as much as he longed to find out what was happening.
And thus, Jasper was forced to pace back and forth outside the door, pausing now and then to listen, only to grumble in frustration when he could not understand a word. Was he already too late? Were Lady Edith and Lord Aberley alone in there? If so, then he should burst in, should he not?
However, before Lady Edith had left the great hall on Lord Aberley’s arm, Jasper had observed her speaking to Lady Adele. The young woman had been agitated, and Lady Edith had sent her away before waving over a footman and bidding him to deliver some kind of message. Jasper was certain of it. But what and why? Was this another one of her plans he did not see coming?
Suddenly, footsteps approached the door from within, and Jasper darted down the corridor to hide around the next corner. Indeed, he felt like a fool, and yet he could not help it.
The door opened and Lady Edith stepped outside into the corridor. However, before Jasper could reveal himself, Lord Aberley followed her, calling her name.
Jasper tensed as he watched her still her feet and turn around to look at the man. “Yes, my lord?”
Lord Aberley inhaled deeply before a joyous smile came to his face. “Thank you,” he said then, almost reverently. “I don’t know…how you knew, but you’ve made me the happiest man.”
Lady Edith returned his smile affectionately. “I am truly glad to see you so happy, my lord, and I have no doubt that you will make a fine husband.”
Jasper felt their words like a punch to his midsection, and he struggled to remain upright as he watched them part ways. While Lord Aberley hastened back downstairs, Lady Edith turned toward the wing, harboring the guest chambers.
For a moment, Jasper warred with himself, torn about what to do before his feet made the decision for him, rushing down the corridor after Lady Edith. No matter her choice, he needed her to tell him. He needed her to say the words because he needed to hear them.
Rounding another corner, he spotted her enter a chamber at the end of the corridor. The door fell closed behind her, but Jasper did not slow down. Large strides carried him onward, and his hand reached out to push open the door without a moment’s hesitation.
Jasper all but barreled through it…and then pulled up short to avoid stepping on Lady Edith’s toes because she stood just inside the room, her arms crossed over her chest and her gaze seeking his as though she had been awaiting his arrival. Jasper frowned. Had she?
Exhaling a deep breath, Jasper stilled, then swiftly kicked the door closed, his breath coming fast as he looked at her. Clearly, something had escaped his attention. Clearly—