AllFreeNovel
Share Us
‘Did Jasper do that?’
She nodded, and tears started pouring down her cheeks, following the course of those that had gone before.
‘But why?’ I asked, naively not believing that anything but true love could possibly come out of the encounter I had witnessed.
‘Because I wouldn’t give him what he wanted, that’s why.’ She gulped and sniffed, looking around for something to blow her nose on. I silently handed her my handkerchief.
‘I saw the disappointment in your eyes, and I just couldn’t let him use me like all the others had,’ she said. ‘So I pushed him off, and he slapped me hard to teach me a lesson.’
I sucked in my breath. I knew Jasper had a temper, but up until now, I didn’t think he would physically hurt anyone.
‘I don’t believe it,’ I said.
‘Believe it,’ said Rose in a harsh voice. ‘Men like him want only one thing, and when they can’t get it, they turn ugly. I’ve met his type before. Now do you know why I wish I had your pockmarks? There’s no way he would’ve laid a finger on me if I looked like you. Sebastian probably hired you because you’d had the pox, and he knew Jasper wouldn’t look at you twice. I bet he’s got into trouble before.’
Her words were a sharp knife stabbing my heart. It was true—I knew it. But it still hurt.
‘I would give anything to even have one murmur of affection from his lips,’ I said softly.
Rose looked at me in sudden understanding. ‘You’re in love with him, aren’t you? Him! Oh, Mercy, no.’ I didn’t deny it, just looked down, ashamed.
‘I can’t help it,’ I whispered. ‘I know it’s hopeless.’
‘It’s worse than hopeless—it’s ludicrous. Him? He’s a ...’
Whatever Jasper was remained unsaid as Maggie came up and banged on the door, wanting to know whether we were coming down. I made some excuse on Rose’s behalf about her being ill and served supper myself to Jasper and Sebastian.
My feelings about what he had done to Rose were barely contained, though, and I couldn’t help banging Jasper’s plate down on the table so some of the rabbit stew splashed on his silk breeches.
‘Blast! That’s a clean suit, Mercy!’ he exclaimed, dabbing frantically at the material with his napkin.
I shrugged.
‘Well, aren’t you going to apologise?’ he demanded, his face reddening in outrage. I shrugged again.
Somehow, seeing the welt on Rose’s face had hardened my heart, and I didn’t care about his suit. I was so angry I felt like tipping the whole bowl of rabbit stew into his lap. Suit be damned.
‘Sebastian, this is unacceptable behaviour from a servant!’ Jasper’s voice was growing high-pitched.
‘Yet striking one across the face because she resisted your advances is acceptable?’ I interjected hotly. I was sick of staying quiet even if it meant getting myself fired.
Sebastian stared at Jasper, who had quietened down remarkably quickly. He even looked slightly remorseful.
‘Jasper, is there anything you want to tell me?’ Sebastian asked.
‘Not with her in the room,’ said Jasper grumpily, nodding in my direction.
So with that, I hastily took my leave before I did or said something I would regret further.
Chapter 19
Saturday came all too quickly for my liking, but I was relieved when I saw Thomas at the train station. He was wearing nice jeans and a black shirt; a backpack was slung over his shoulder. He broke out into a broad grin when he saw me.
‘Hey,’ he said and kissed me briefly on the lips like he had before. A nervous fluttery feeling descended upon my midriff. I wanted more: more kissing, more touching, more everything from him. There was definitely an attraction there, on my side anyway. For all I knew, Thomas got his kicks from helping damsels in distress deal with their dysfunctional families.
When we’d settled into our seats on the train, the inevitable question arose. ‘So what went down with Jeremy to make you so anti?’
Oh, the tale I could tell! I’d debated whether to divulge any of the finer details to Thomas and had decided that I would preserve Jeremy’s dignity. He was still my boss after all, and Thomas was Eleanor’s cousin.
