Page 20 of To Wager with Love

Harriet stiffened in his arms and pushed at his chest, and Jasper released her.

“I have no intention of going to your bed.”

“But you’ve been told to, Harry,” he mocked, feeling sick to his stomach but unable to stop himself. He was desperate now, fighting for his future, and he’d do whatever it took, no matter how badly he had to behave. “Your husband-to-be wants to know you’ve purged me from your body and mind, and going on that little kiss you’re a long, long way from doing that.”

“Nonsense,” she replied, but she sounded breathless and her eyes were still dark with wanting him. “Lust is a short lived emotion that does not endure. Once you’re out of my sight, I’ll not think on you again.”

“But I shan’t be out of your sight, Harry,” he warned her. “So, don’t think you can run away from this.”

“What do you mean?” she demanded.

“I mean that I deserve a chance, damn it,” he said, what remained of his composure cracking. “I have a week to win you, to make you see that it’s me you want, and I’m not giving up without a fight.”

Harriet swallowed and shook her head.

“What is it, love?” he asked, stepping closer to her. “Afraid you’ll change your mind?”

“No!” she retorted, putting up her chin, her eyes sparkling with indignation. “I will not.”

“Prove it.”

“Fine!”

“Tonight.”

“Yes!” Harriet glared at him, clenching her fists, utterly furious.

Jasper lunged for her and pulled her to him again, kissing her as if it was the end of the world, as if it was the last thing he’d ever know, and his heart sang with triumph as Harriet responded in kind, pressing herself against him with abandon, clutching at his shoulders.

Though it was the hardest thing to do, Jasper broke the kiss and stepped back, so quickly that she swayed. She was breathing hard, her lips reddened from his kiss, her expression a fierce combination of desire, indignation, and anger that he well understood.

“You know where my room is,” he said, the words colder than he’d meant them to be. “I’ll expect you after dinner.”

She gave a taut nod and Jasper turned on his heel and left the room.

Chapter 6

Dear Prue,

I never got the chance to thank you for persuading Mama to let me stay on with Bonnie and Ruth. They’re such fun and though I know I ought not say such a dreadful thing—it’s so wonderful to be free of Mama for a while.

―Excerpt of a letter from Miss Minerva Butler to Her Grace, the Duchess of Bedwin.

31st August 1814. Holbrooke House, Sussex.

Matilda sighed and looked up at the dark clouds gathering overhead. She had better hurry back to Holbrooke House, she supposed, but she wanted to keep away for as long as possible. She’d made some excuse about needing to buy some new gloves and had walked into the village.

All other guests had left this morning as scheduled after last night’s grand ball, but none of them had risen early and had so been in plenty of time to get all the salacious details of the newest and juiciest scandal. As the guests departed for their own homes, the gossip would go with them, it would be a matter of days before the story was common knowledge.

Ruth, Bonnie, and Minerva had left early, before Harriet’s discovery with St Clair, and had gone to visit an aunt of Ruth’s who lived an hour or so away. They’d return in the late afternoon, which left Matilda as the only remaining guest in the house, a fact which had made her feel awkward. This was undoubtedly ridiculous as you could lose an entire army in the cavernous place and not notice, but Harriet and Jasper needed time alone without worrying about guests poking their noses into their affairs, and Matilda didn’t want to bump into them until they were ready to speak to anyone.

Lady St Clair had invited Matilda to stay for as long as she wished, and Bonnie and Ruth were not due to leave for a few more days. Prue and Bedwin had gone, as they had a prior engagement, much to Prue’s anxiety. Prue had been quick to tell Matilda to assure Harriet that they would do all in their power to mitigate the worst of the gossip, though they both knew that would be a forlorn hope. Kitty had wanted to stay too and put off their return trip to Ireland to inform Kitty’s parents of her marriage to Luke. Harriet had been adamant that she go, however; she didn’t want her troubles clouding Kitty’s happiness at her marriage. She promised to tell Kitty as once should she have need of her, and Matilda was touched by the way Kitty had vowed to return at a moment’s notice. Kitty had meant it, and her sincerity had clearly moved Harriet.

Matilda was glad the girls had become friends, though they were terribly different. She hoped she could be a comfort to Harriet now, though, and that the girl might confide in her. That Harriet had been caught with Jasper of all people only proved Matilda’s suspicions that there was far more to their relationship than Harriet allowed people to see. Had Jasper taken advantage and seduced her? Somehow Matilda didn’t think so, but one never knew with men, and she vowed to give Harriet every chance to unburden herself.

Mr Burton had also been among the exodus of guests who’d left this morning. Matilda could not help the sigh of relief that escaped her at the knowledge, though she knew it was only a temporary reprieve. He’d made a point of telling her he’d call upon her as soon as she returned to town. That had been one reason she’d accepted Lady St Clair’s offer with such alacrity. She had some hard thinking to do, and she was grateful for the open invitation to stay, not least because Harry would need her support now. She refused to admit to the added relief of having someone else’s troubles to fret over. Her own could surely wait.

Matilda peered up at the threatening looking skies overhead and muttered an unladylike curse. It had been a lovely morning, but the excessive heat and humidity of the last few days had finally come to a head. Thunder rumbled ominously in the distance and Matilda hurried faster as the first fat spatters of rain smacked against the dusty road with surprising aggression. Drat it all. She was exactly halfway between the village and the house, and it made no sense to retrace her steps. It was only a distance of three miles back to the house and Matilda had been looking forward to a pleasant walk and the opportunity to stretch her legs. It appeared her optimism had been misplaced, and she let out a little shriek of dismay as the heavens open and the spiteful lash of rain soaked her muslin gown in a matter of moments.