Page 60 of Love and Other Disasters

“Asking permission is the right way to go about it,” Jasper said, nodding with approval. “But why don’t you run back inside and fetch the bowls? We’ll have a proper game, and if you don’t know the rules, I’d be happy to teach you.”

Sophie followed the boys a few steps, but turned back. “You don’t have to play with them.”

“It’s my pleasure to prepare them for the future,” he said. “Bowls are a favorite pastime in my family. When they are old enough, their father might just let them have a game with him.”

“I would hope so,” Sophie answered. “It might bring them closer, as a family, if Lord Nash could interact with them more.”

“That would take a miracle,” Jasper murmured under his breath. “My brother is highly competitive. The children’s feelings could be easily bruised by that. Best they start with me. I instructed their mother.”

“If I could ask, what was she like?” Sophie asked. “Mrs. Crawford told me you grew up as neighbors.”

“Ha, I’m sure that’s not all she said about me,” Jasper replied, and then shrugged. “We were good friends, but she ended up married to my brother.”

“What did you like about her?”

“She was smart and funny and strong-minded. A bit bossy with me, now I think about it. She played the harp beautifully.”

“I wish I had met her. I have always hoped she might one day return for the children’s sake,” Sophie whispered as the boys reappeared. “Why did she really leave?”

“My father did not make her feel welcome and Nash could not be anything other than he appears now. The family was too cold to her, and she felt smothered in rules and left ignorant about many matters that concerned her and the children. I didn’t know how desperate she was to get away from us. I would have helped her had I known and I think she would have taken them with her if she could.”

“I see,” Sophie said, and bit her lip. “I can’t imagine Lord Nash would have been happy about that.”

“I’m sure he would not be now either,” Jasper muttered grimly. And then he forced a smile to his face. “I’ll answer any question you put to me about Laura, Sophie, for I’m sure you have many, but let’s not discuss her in front of the children,” Jasper suggested, getting to his feet to help the boys prepare for a game.

Sophie remained behind with Isabelle while he instructed the children and when he returned, he helped her up and collected Isabelle. “Let’s join the game.”

“I’m not very good, my lord,” she reminded him.

“You have strength, but perhaps not the focus you need to win. Perhaps this time, try not to think of me when you release the bowl,” he teased.

Her eyes turned his way. “I was not thinking of you that night.”

He frowned. “So it was the other rake you despise?”

“Yes,” she admitted, and then walked around him.

Jasper followed. “That is a relief and a worry.”

“I don’t want to talk about him,” she whispered.

Jasper wanted to know more about the man who’d come before him, but he could understand her reluctance. He was the one who’d taken her innocence and perhaps broken that tender heart Madam Clover was so worried about.

Despite being rebuffed, Jasper still wanted to be good friends with Sophie Regina Radcliffe. The remarkable woman who had gotten under his skin well and truly. A woman he could bear to have on his arm and in his bed for many a year.

At the thought, Jasper tripped on a clump of lawn and cursed under his breath at his inattention.

Years? Could Sophie be his for that long and remain a governess? Probably not, yet he wanted Sophie in any shape or form.

He picked up a bowl, his cheeks burning.

He was smitten with Sophie. Putting himself directly in her path to make her notice him again and again.

He’d never known what he wanted in a woman, but he would like Sophie to be his. His friend, his companion, perhaps his…wife.

He stuck his finger under his collar as the realization hit him that he knew exactly what he craved most in the world. He wanted Sophie to be his in every way possible. She was too good to be a governess or mistress.

Jasper had fallen in love with her.