Page 53 of Holding Onto Love

“I hope so. Because I’m tired. It is so much effort, Jasper. And now to see the two of you at each other’s throats. I can’t bear it.” She saw concern flash across his face. “I’m not saying I regret it. I’m not saying that I wish anything different. Except…except this constantly being made to feel in the wrong.”

He stood and came to her, then put his arms around her. She breathed in starch and soap, a hint of brandy, the wool of his jacket. Comfort. Security. Even when she was angry with him, he made her feel safe.

“The wrong was done to you, not by you.” He kissed her temple. “It will get better, Vanessa. I promise it will.”

*

To her relief, Jasper had no gauntlet planned for that evening. Instead, he listened to her play the pianoforte, then they supped at home. After, he challenged her to play cards. Piquet. After losing twice, she offered to teach him Commerce.

“What is that?”

“A betting game. The soldiers played it. Henry taught it to me.”

“What did you wager?”

“Pebbles. Don’t scoff. It passed time.”

“Show me.”

She explained the rules and they played a few hands. He caught on so quickly, she guessed he had played it before.

“I take it gentlemen play this as well,” she said, a little sourly. She had wanted to share something with him. Something new to him.

He chuckled. “I suppose I cannot sharp you.” He picked up the deck and shuffled. “But let’s try something different. The wagering. Let us bet articles of clothing.”

“Clothing?”

“That we are wearing.”

Her eyes widened as she caught his meaning. “Certainly not.”

He laughed. “Kisses then. On the hands are worth one, lips five, and then…”

“Oh, for Heaven’s sake.” Oh, but she lived for that look in his eyes. A little shiver ran down her neck. “Deal the cards.”

*

They might as well have played for clothing. The outcome was the same. She slept heavily that night and missed his leaving in the morning. But he was back just after her luncheon.

“You’re back early,” she said, as he joined her at the small tea table in the drawing room. “Would you like something to eat?”

He plucked the end of her sandwich from her plate and popped it into his mouth. “No. I ran into Evershard, and we went to a pub.”

“That’s a new name.”

“Is it?” He shrugged. “He’s a good fellow. Quiet though. Haven’t seen him much since he got leg shackled. I hadn’t meant to be gone this long. I just needed to walk about. Restless, I suppose.”

“Yes, well, tonight is the big night. Hilyer’s comeuppance.”

Jasper’s face tightened. Then relaxed. He reached across the table and squeezed her hand. “I have something for you.” She waited. He produced a slender box from his jacket pocket. Wilson and Clark. His preferred jewelers. “I am eager to see you in this.”

She opened the box. An exquisite and very long string of pearls. “Oh, Jasper. You really shouldn’t.”

“You know,” he said, his voice dropping low, “the glimpses that you allow me are tantalizing. And it is arousing, shifting bits of cloth out of the way. But the image I have in my head of you wearing these…just these…”

“Jasper!” Her face heated.

“Well, it hardly seems fair,” he exclaimed, laughing. “I let you look as much as you want.”