His heart suddenly skipped a beat when he saw Lady Edith excuse herself and then hurry back toward the castle. A thoughtful expression rested upon her features, as though she were no longer aware of her surroundings. Yet upon reaching the door, she paused and looked over her shoulder…
…and their eyes met.
Jasper could feel it all the way to his toes. It felt like a an earthquake, knocking him off his feet. It felt like a warm summer rain. It felt like the first light after the dark of night. It felt…utterly unexpected and equally overwhelming.
And then she smiled at him, and Jasper knew he had to know her. He had to find out what thoughts lived in her head, if that smile she granted him meant something.
Heaven help him, but hewantedit to mean something.
“Go after her,” Andrew suddenly hissed in Jasper’s ear. “Don’t let her get away.”
Jasper glanced at his friend, surprised to see Andrew’s brows rise in teasing encouragement, a moment before he turned away to address Jasper’s mother once more, drawing her attention and allowing Jasper to slip away.
Jasper smiled, feeling himself reminded of why, indeed, Andrew was his friend.
Quickening his steps, he reached the door only moments after it had closed behind Lady Edith. Yet when he stepped inside, there was no sign of her.
After the brilliantly bright sunshine in the gardens, the interior seemed overhung with shadows. He had to blink his eyes to clear his sight, chase away those bright spots that seemed to dance there. The corridor snaked off in various directions, and he wondered which one she could have taken. Was she headed toward her chambers? Or to a parlor, perhaps, seeking company?
Then he suddenly heard an agitated voice echoing to his ear from the right-hand corridor. Without another thought, Jasper turned toward it, his steps quickening as the voice grew louder. Indeed, it sounded familiar.
Annoyingly so.
Jasper debated turning back when he suddenly turned a corner and spotted not only Lady Edith, her feet still carrying her onward, but also Lady Lucinda, standing near a row of bay windows, lashing out at a maid, who seemed to shrink into herself with every word flung at her.
As always, it was Jasper’s first instinct to escape Lady Lucinda’s company. However, that would also mean giving up his pursuit of Lady Edith, and he was most unwilling to do that. So, he simply hung back a little, his eyes slightly narrowed as he watched the scene unfold from a distance.
“I am appalled by your lack of diligence,” Lady Lucinda exclaimed with haughty derision, looking down upon the trembling maid. “Is it truly too much to ask to have fresh flowers on my vanity?” Her brows rose threateningly as she glared at the maid, daring her to contradict her. “I think not.”
“I’m begging your pardon, my lady,” the maid stammered, her eyes glued to the floor, her shoulders hunched. “I meant no disrespect. Please, I—”
“Oh, Lady Lucinda, I must apologize,” Lady Edith suddenly exclaimed as her feet carried her the last few steps toward Lady Lucinda. “I am deeply sorry that you were affected by my foolishness. Please, accept my deepest apologies.” Looking honestly contrite, Lady Edith stepped in front of the trembling maid, her eyes wide as she met Lady Lucinda’s.
Jasper was confused, yet he watched with rapt attention as a look of incomprehension came to Lady Lucinda’s face. “I beg your pardon?” Lady Lucinda asked, giving her head a slight shake. “I do not know what you mean.”
“Oh, I know I should, at least, have had a spot of tea before venturing outdoors,” Lady Edith chided herself, a melodious chuckle drifting from her lips. “I suppose I was too excited. This is a beautiful place, is it not?” She allowed her gaze to sweep over their surroundings, taking in the ancient castle and all its beauty. “Of course, I was beginning to feel faint.” She shook her head at her own foolishness.
Jasper could not suppress a chuckle at the sight of her acting prowess. After all, Lady Edith was not a silly debutante, was she? Of course, he did not know her, not in the least, and yet Jasper felt certain of it. Lady Edith was not a woman to act foolishly or to faint because of a missed meal.
“Fortunately, I made it back inside to the parlor,” Lady Edith continued her tale, a look of exhaustion now playing across her face, “where—” She turned to look at the maid, one eyebrow arching upward in question.
“Betsy,” the maid quickly supplied.
“Where Betsy found me,” Lady Edith continued, smiling at Lady Lucinda. “She assisted me to my chamber and fetched me some smelling salts. Indeed, I feel much improved. However, it plagues me to think that you suffered on my account. Please, do forgive me.”
Lady Lucinda inclined her head graciously. “Of course, no harm was done. I am glad to hear that you feel better.”
“I certainly do.” She turned to look at Betsy once more. “And I apologize for delaying you in your duties. Please, go ahead and see to Lady Lucinda’s chambers.”
Casting Lady Edith a grateful smile, Betsy hurried away, a look of relief and gratitude upon her face.
The moment the maid vanished from sight, Jasper stood back against the wall, his mind churning with thoughts he had never before entertained. Indeed, Lady Edith had not hesitated to come to the aid of a young maid, one she could not possibly know. Why? Wouldhehave done the same? Jasper rather doubted it. Indeed, it had been kindness of heart that had led Lady Edith to interfere. He had seen it upon her face. Just as he had seen indifference and disregard upon Lady Lucinda’s.
Never had Jasper seen a young lady of thetonact quite like this, and he felt a surprising surge of pride well up inside his chest. Yes, she was unlike any woman he had ever met.
After a few more exchanged words, Lady Lucinda took her leave. Lady Edith, however, remained, her eyes turned to the world outside beyond the windows, her back to him. She stood quietly, unmoving, as though lost in thought, and Jasper felt disinclined to disturb her. Yet he knew he could not walk away.
And so, he put one foot in front of the other, quietly moving closer as his gaze swept over her golden tresses that gave off a red glimmer wherever sunlight touched upon them.