Page 86 of A Mother for the Blind Duke’s Orphans

His gaze met Jasper’s and, at that moment, he appreciated the honesty between them. Jasper was the only man he trusted wholeheartedly.

“Perhaps I was not as content as I imagined being,” he admitted.

Jasper simply nodded in agreement, and Hector accepted his silence because arguing would require energy he did not possess.

“I had a colorless and quiet world which I understood. I did not ask for more, but now there is more. And because I have known it, I cannot unknow it now.” The confession flowed freely.

Jasper’s chair creaked softly as he shifted. “If you cannot recognize that as love, I doubt I can drag you to the conclusion by force.”

He glared at his friend. “Then do not try, because this is not love.”

Jasper held up his hands in surrender. “There is no need to be defensive. I am not accusing you of anything. Perhaps I am simply speaking about your love for your nieces.”

Hector reached for his glass and drank.

Jasper, mercifully practical when sentiment failed, said, “How long has it been since your duchess attended a ball?”

Hector frowned. “What?”

“Have you taken your wife to a party or a musicale? Somewhere there is music, dancing, and women pretending not to judge each other’s gowns. That sort of thing?”

He thought about it for a second, but the answer was clear.

“I have not taken her to a ball…”

“Not since the marriage?”

“No.”

“Not even once?”

“Jasper.” He gave his friend a warning look.

Jasper’s question made Hector feel beyond guilty. Poppy had entered his house and folded herself around its needs and the needs of the children until there was scarcely enough room left for her own.

She handled the children, the staff, her duties and my silences. He could not remember asking her to attend any event with him, and that ate at him.

“She has been occupied,” he said, hating himself for being the cause of her busyness.

“Ah, women often enjoy leaving the house, though. You should consider asking her.” Jasper jested a lot, but this time Hector felt the seriousness behind his words.

He exhaled loudly. “I would burden her at a ball.”

His friend said nothing as Hector’s grip tightened around the glass.

“Hector—”

“What sort of husband cannot escort his wife to the dance floor without relying on a cane? What sort of spectacle would that be? She would spend the evening accommodating my limitations instead of enjoying herself.” He felt the embarrassment and anger rise within him and his own inability to make his wife happy by simply asking her to attend an event with him.

“Have you asked her?”

“No, I did not.” He felt even more guilty. “Are you done making me feel like the most terrible husband in the ton?”

Jasper chuckled. “I am merely trying to help, but if the shoe fits…”

Hector set the glass down too sharply. “Do not jest.”

“I am not.”