Page 50 of A Gifted Earl

Venetia nodded.

“I can only agree with you there. I was considering going and hiding in the library – the library here has a rather magnificent collection of books - and it’s quiet, with a comfortable couch and chairs. Would you like to accompany me?”

Amelia’s eyes lit up at the suggestion and Venetia was glad, for even though she thought it unlikely that Jasper would be found anywhere near a library, she would still feel safer with someone else with her.

“Of course. That’s an excellent suggestion.”

Venetia whispered in her mother’s ear to tell her where she was going, and with whom, then they turned and made their way across the parlour, and out into the corridor. They walked, talking quietly, passing the stairs and continuing along to the other end of the floor, where the library took up the full width of the wing. They did not notice Lord Jasper, who was halfway up the stairs as they passed them - but he noticed them. When he reached the top of the stairs, he paused, and watched them, until they opened the door and disappeared into the library. Only then did he give a nod, and turn towards the parlour.

Venetia closed the library door after them with a sigh of relief, then wandered over to the shelves.

“What shall I read? I wonder if there are any gothic novels here? Or would they be far too improper and scandalous for a man like Templewick to own?”

“Perhaps – but wouldn’t most of these books have been purchased by his predecessor? Perhaps generations of previous Earls and their wives – so who knows what we might find.”

They set about searching, almost systematically, and soon found a shelf of novels. After much exclaiming about the number of choices, they each selected a book, and went to sit down. Amelia curled in a large wingback armchair, and Venetia seated herself towards one end of a plushly upholstered couch.

“This is so much better that social chit-chat, isn’t it, Amelia?”

“Most definitely.”

With that, they settled into reading. The room was relatively warm, and the silence pleasant after days in close company with many people. An hour or more passed, the time only marked by the soft ticking of the mantel clock, before Amelia looked up to discover that Venetia had fallen asleep. She had slid sideways until she was nearly lying along the couch, the book fallen from her grasp and resting on the couch cushions close beside her.

Amelia considered what to do – for she needed the necessary, and she wanted to go in search of food. Should she wake Venetia? But surely, if Venetia had fallen asleep, she was genuinely tired. Perhaps it was best to leave her to rest, in this nice quiet spot. She set the book that she was reading down on the side table, and left the room, as quietly as she could, pulling the door closed behind her.

*****

Morgan stepped out of his office, finally done with the organising tasks of the day.

He had just approved the menu for the celebratory Christmas dinner which would be held tomorrow, and finalised the hiring of a small orchestra so that there might be some dancing. And he’d agreed to the rather remarkable cost of swathes of fabric and bundles of greenery for decorating the house. The Housekeeper had gone off happily with everything in hand, and he could finally spend some time on more relaxing activities. Although he wasn’t sure that he could consider socialising entirely relaxing….

The important papers which had come from his man of business were tucked safely in against his side, and now it was simply a matter of when and how he might need, or choose, to use the leverage that they gave him. As if that thought had been a summoning, a movement at the end of the corridor caught his eye.

It was, he realised after a moment, Lord Jasper. Which was not, in and of itself, surprising – but what was surprising was that Lord Jasper was entering the library. A man less likely to read for pleasure he had never met. Which suggested to Morgan’s somewhat suspicious mind that Lord Jasper was about something other than seeking a book to read.

After a moment of hesitation, Morgan went in that direction, instinct suggesting that he should – and he trusted his instincts, for they had kept him alive many times on the battlefield.

*****

For a moment, Venetia had no concept of where she was. Something was pressing her down, and there was a hard edge digging into her side. She went to move, and discovered that she couldn’t, that whatever was pressing her down prevented it. It was at that point that her mind caught up, and her eyes snapped open.

To meet Jasper’s face, mere inches away.

Behind him, she could see the library shelves, and memory informed her that she must have fallen asleep while reading.

And, obviously, Amelia had left her there, no doubt thinking it a kindness to let her rest.

With horror, she realised that the weight which was pressing her down onto the couch was Jasper’s body. She opened her mouth to scream, but only a half cut off squeal escaped her before his hand clamped over her mouth.

“My dear Venetia – there is no call for screaming. We all know that you’re a slattern, and no man is ever going to offer for you. But do squirm and fight me a little if you wish, I find that adds some spice to things. I really don’t know why you’d want to scream anyway – if you truly don’t find me appealing, then screaming should be your last desire – if someone came in now, and found us like this… well, they’d likely think we should marry, wouldn’t they?”

Venetia’s blood turned to ice at his words, for he was correct – if she was found like this, she would most likely be forced to marry him. Not that she thought he wanted marriage – but if such a thing happened, and he then refused to marry her, or she refused to marry him, she would be utterly and completely ruined, in all ways.

He must have seen it in her eyes, for he laughed, and moved his body against hers. She stiffened, and considered biting his hand – perhaps she would, if she could see no better way to escape him. But he cautiously moved his hand off her mouth, and that chance was lost.

“Why, Jasper? What do you want of me?”

He lifted a finger and trailed it over her mouth, down her neck and to her breast, which he cupped and squeezed.