This Adeline, the one standing several feet away, was nearly unrecognizable.
Her hair was loose and artfully arranged over her shoulder and down her back, but nothing else was the woman he’d come to love—love?—while in the country. This woman was everything a lady of the ton should be: poised, dignified, reserved, and shining in all her splendor.
For a moment, Jasper wondered how she hid the woman she truly was under all these grandiose adornments, but then the thought struck him, nearly knocking him back a step. Perhaps this was the true Adeline, and the woman he’d come to know in the country was merely the mask she wore to fool him.
He would not believe it, could not believe it.
There was no doubt in Jasper’s mind that Adeline belonged here. Not in this ballroom per se, but here in London, surrounded by the streaming light from the overhead chandeliers, dining in grand homes, dancing long into the night, attending the latest performance at Covent Garden, and, at the end of the night, returning to her home with a lord who loved her, cherished her, and gave his every waking thought to her happiness and well-being. Adeline would be the center of attention at every social gathering for years to come, and damn it all if Jasper would be the man to distract from her beauty, her wit, and her charm.
At the park—and in the receiving line—he’d garnered attention he didn’t want. With Adeline at his side, even for just this one night, would others look past his scars to the worthy woman on his arm?
The couple blocking his path to Adeline blessedly moved off and into the ballroom, clearing Jasper’s way to stand before Adeline.
His breath hitched at the sight of her, and a peculiar flutter assaulted his stomach.
The woman was dressed in a gown matching the exact hue of his neckcloth, and damn it if it did not shimmer in the light from above.
Jasper dared a glance over his shoulder, and Lady Melton’s innocent grin told him everything he needed to know.
His new tailor had been compromised. His loyalty purchased by a meddling viscountess.
It should irritate Jasper; however, confusion was the emotion that filled him. Why would Lady Melton seek to make it appear as if Adeline and he were a matched pair?
His shoulders stiffened, and the smile drained from his face. Would Adeline be angry? She could not think he had aught to do with the coincidence of their matching garb.
The gentleman behind Jasper cleared his throat, properly indicating that he was slowing down the line.
He need greet Adeline, and then he could escape to a quiet corner of the ballroom to think through the predicament he’d been forced into.
“Miss Adeline, it is lovely to see you again and a very merry birthday to you.” He took her offered hand and bowed over it, not trusting himself to bring his lips to her gloved fingers. “Thank you for the invitation.”
There. He’d met social requirements and could now sulk off, perhaps hide himself behind one of the potted ferns lining the fabric-draped walls.
“You look dashing this evening, my lord.” Her deep, sultry voice held him captive. “I must say, the ladies will be falling all over themselves for an introduction to the darkly handsome and captivating Lord Ailesbury. I can only imagine what they’d wager for one dance.”
“It is only you, Miss Adeline, I wish to dance with this eve,” he countered. Where in the bloody hell had that come from? Certainly, he’d been thinking it, but to say it out loud was highly improper. “What I mean to say, Miss Adeline, is I do hope you will save a place on your dance card for me.”
She held her wrist high, rotating the card to give Jasper a better view. “I have saved every spot for you, my lord.” Her brow rose in question. She was obviously enjoying their scandalous banter—and his unease. “In fact, as it is my special evening, I will take you up on one of those dances now.”
Without another word, she stepped from the line and set her hand in the crook of his elbow. He covered it with his own palm as if they had walked thusly a million times before.
A wave of her hand, and the musicians struck a new chord before settling into a rhythmic melody Jasper had heard his aunt hum from time to time.
A waltz, deemed indecent and scandalous only a few years prior, was now favored in many London ballrooms, or so he’d read in the London Daily Gazette his solicitor sent him every few weeks.
As they entered the dance floor, other pairs moved to join them, as Jasper pulled Adeline into his embrace and stared into her hazel eyes.
She was the beauty to his beast.
The elegant, refined maiden to his dastardly, dark scoundrel.
And he wanted all of her, though the reality of it was he might only have this one dance.
“You look ravishing, Miss Adeline,” Jasper leaned in close to whisper. A shiver coursed through her entire body, so strong he felt it. “I must say, you are certainly the belle of the ball.”
Her face flushed a deep scarlet, and Jasper chuckled lightly, pushing from his mind everything but that precise moment.
“I do believe my tailor and your modiste must have a fondness for one another.”
“Would you blame them if they did?” she asked, her enchanting smile returning as they increased their steps in time with the music. “Besides, I must admit, I was hesitant to don such a gown; however, I can see the color was selected because it suited you, my lord.”
“And what will others think about our coordinated attire?”
“Should we concern ourselves with what others think?” she countered.
“I am only thinking of you, Adeline.” He could not stop himself from uttering her given name, though it was the height of impropriety, especially surrounded by a roomful of people who would likely—and savagely—take hold of the morsel of gossip and spread it far and wide. “There are many worthy men in attendance this night, come to celebrate your special day. It would be greedy of me to keep you all to myself or cause gossip where none is warranted.”
A spark of disappointment flared in her eyes, but she covered it quickly by affecting yet another inviting upturn of her lips. “A little gossip never killed anyone. You should know that, Jasper.”
They twirled around the floor. Jasper was utterly lost in the moment with her, so enthralled he nearly collided with another couple as the music halted all too soon.
It was time he returned her to her family—and her line of suitors.
To his chagrin, she steered him away from her brother and mother where they’d completed their duties as the host family and were now conversing amongst one another.
“You are an accomplished dancer, Lord Ailesbury.”
“For nothing but a country squire?” He kept a respectable distance between them as he followed her lead around the fringes of the dance floor. “I will admit, I have not often danced with anyone besides my Aunt Alice and my housekeeper.”
“Well, your aunt certainly taught you well.”
A man stepped into their path, a tentative smile transforming his serious demeanor as he grew closer. Jasper had the urge to growl and walk straight through the man, continuing his conversation with Adeline; however, she slowed her pace to greet her guest.
“Good evening, Lord Cartwright.” Jealousy spiked when Adeline turned her bright smile on the man. “It is lovely to see you once again. May I introduce Lord Ailesbury from Kent?”
“A pleasure, I am certain,” Cartwright mumbled, sounding anything but pleasured to meet him. “I only wanted to give my well wishes for your birthday, Adeline. I must needs leave quickly.”
“I do understand, Lord Cartwright,” Adeline said, accepting the stiff embrace the man offered. “Your situation is certainly one to be cautious of.”
Jasper was uncertain what irritated him more: the man’s use of her given name, Adeline’s knowledge of his situation, or that Cartwright’s arms were presently touching her back.
“Lord Cartwright—Simon—is Theodora’s elder brother,” Adeline offered, doing nothing to dampen the jealousy at the man’s f
amiliar relationship with her. “Simon, you will be quite interested in Lord Aliesbury’s endeavors in Faversham.” She turned an appreciative look in Jasper’s direction, settling his ire. “He bought the gunpowder plant after the war ended and employs a large number of the villagers.”
Cartwright’s brow rose. “I know very little about weapons of war, but I would be very interested in visiting your plant.”
“I am currently renovating an area of the building that collapsed during the recent storms, but when they are finished, I’d be happy to show you how things work.” Why, oh why, had he offered to escort Cartwright on a tour of Home Works? He knew exactly why. This man meant something to Adeline…and he was determined to find out what. “A wall recently gave way and injured one of my workers.”
“A wall, you say?” When Jasper nodded at Cartwright’s question, the man tapped his chin and closed his eyes, his brows moving up and down before his lids snapped open once more. “It would be my pleasure to work through the calculations and coordinate the measurements and weight requirements to better determine what would constitute a sound, load-bearing wall, as well as the appropriate thickness of the supporting beams to withstand future storms.”
Jasper stared at the man in wonder, partly because he was unaccustomed to such kindness from strangers, but more accurately because he could not fully understand the assistance Cartwright offered.
“It was certainly a pleasure, Lord Ailesbury, but my dear wife is waving frantically at me, and my situation may have suddenly escalated from cautious to dire.”
Jasper followed Adeline’s stare to see a tall, dark-haired woman, heavy with child, leaning against the refreshment table—one hand waving while the other cradled her swollen midsection.
“It appears Theo is to be an aunt for the third time,” Adeline said. “I think it best you hurry and return her home, Simon.”
“Olivia waited fourteen hours to arrive, and Samuel came after twelve. Using simple calculations, I have ten hours until this babe graces us with its presence.”
“I do not think it works that way, my lord,” Jasper said, eyeing Cartwright’s wife, who, while in the late stages, made no show of needing to be whisked away to her birthing suite.
Adeline laughed, pushing Simon in his wife’s direction. “Do see to Jude. The evening is young, and I find myself in need of fresh air, and a stroll on the terrace before Lord Ailesbury and I seek the dance floor once more.”
If the man found it shocking Adeline had promised Jasper another dance, he did not show any signs of it. “Very well, I will take my leave, but please, there is little reason to upset Theo with news of Jude’s less than perfect health. This night means much to her.”
“Your secret shall not pass my lips. But do keep watch over her, Simon.”
“I endeavor to do exactly that.” With a quick embrace for Adeline and a bow to Jasper, Cartwright moved through the crowd to his wife’s side.
“A peculiar man,” Jasper mused.
“You have no idea how peculiar, my lord.” She slipped her arm into his once more and turned her bright eyes on him. “Now, the Melton gardens, while small, are beautiful under the moon’s glow.”
Chapter 22
THE CHILLY NIGHT air, as they stepped through the open doors onto the terrace, was a balm to Adeline’s overheated face, neck, and arms. It had nothing to do with the ballroom being warmer than usual and everything to do with Jasper. His hand on her lower back, pulling her ever tighter to him as they danced. His stare on her as they conversed with Theo’s brother.
Every inch of her blazed with unbidden heat, and, at some point, that heat had changed to a deep-seated need. A desirous longing that she’d never experienced before.
One dance with Jasper was not enough.
An entire day would not be sufficient to keep her satisfied, her mind full of memories after Jasper returned to Faversham.
This night was their goodbye.
She’d known from the moment they left Kent Jasper would deposit her in London and his duty to her would be fulfilled. She should be content with the additional time she’d been allowed to spend with him; though it only seemed to make her want him more.
It had taken but a brief moment to realize the shiver running down her body, the flutter in her stomach, the tightening in her chest was due to one thing.
One complex, all-consuming emotion.
Love.
It went far beyond mere infatuation.
It would not be dampened or diluted by giving in to a lustful tryst. Or satisfied by a harmless walk in the park or ices at Samson’s.
No, this sensation coursing through her, driving her every move, pushing her to claim Jasper as hers would not be easily ignored or assuaged.
His presence in London had made it clear why Adeline hadn’t met a man who captured her notice beyond a mere glance. No man of her acquaintance held a candle to Jasper. None were as loyal, devoted, capable, courageous, and confident as the man who presently walked at her side. He stood—tall and proud—though she knew his every instinct told him he didn’t belong in London and among society; that his place was in Kent, hiding the burns that had nearly taken his life.
Yet, Adeline was confident in one thing: society would benefit by knowing Jasper. He would make London a better place, if only for her. The ton could learn much from a man who gave up finding his own happiness to serve those who’d dedicated generations to his family.
Adeline released his arm and walked to the railing separating them from the gardens below. Though she heard nothing, she knew he followed. She sensed him behind her as she placed her hands on the railing. The cold soaked through her thin gloves, sending a shiver down her back. The chilly evening air would not drive her back inside, however.
No.
The terrace was deserted, it being too early in the evening for others to seek the outdoors yet.
It was only she and Jasper and the strings of a light melody drifting out from the ballroom at their backs.
“Adeline,” he whispered close to her ear. The single word was enough to banish any doubt she had about how he felt about her. “I do hope you are enjoying your celebration.”
She glanced up at the clear, night sky. The moon overhead shone down on the gardens, creating shadows and darkening alcoves of privacy. Even the stars twinkled brighter than she’d ever noticed before. “Now that you are here, I am enjoying myself immensely, my lord.”
“I am certain it is not my presence that makes a difference,” he countered.
“You are correct.” She turned to find he was scant inches from her. “It is you who makes all the difference…to me,” she added, making certain there was no question as to her meaning.
Adeline held his stare, losing herself in his moss green depths. It was much like entering the woods at Faversham, the hue of his eyes matching the foliage as if the surrounding countryside had laid claim to him—and would soon demand his return.
Tentatively, she set her fingers on his cheek, allowing them to caress lower until they met his damaged skin. She could feel the warmth of him through her glove, more powerful than the cold of the railing from a moment before.
It was Jasper who broke their connection first, his eyes closing as her touch slid lower to his neck. She longed to remove his cravat, unbutton his shirt, and explore further what he kept hidden.
His scars did not reveal weakness, not in the least.
They proved his strength.
He’d lost his parents and cherished servants in that fire.
The people who should have been there to catch him had only labeled him a beast.
Adeline would not allow that to continue. Never would she allow another to force Jasper into the shadows; a forgotten man and something to be feared.
“I do not fear you, Jasper,” she confessed in a whisper. “Since the moment we met, I have become a different person, a better woman. I am far more patient and do not see the worst in every person upon first inspection. I owe that to you
.”
“It is not only you who has noted a change within themselves,” he confided, his remaining closed. Could he not look at her when he spoke? “I have lived many years alone, and now I wonder what I have gained from any of it.”
Adeline could not let him stand before her with his emotions so bare. “It is because of you I can think of understanding a situation as opposed to judging others for their choices before I know their reasoning.”
His eyes sprang open, and he searched her expression as if he thought to find she was misleading him in some way. He pulled away from her, his exhale labored, and her hand fell to her side.
But she could not allow him the distance, and so she followed him.
“Adeline…I—“
She gave him no opportunity to speak, to offer an excuse to flee or put more distance between them—either physically or emotionally. If this were to be the last night they had together, she would not let it pass without giving him some hope for his future, even if that future did not include her.
Jasper needed to know he was loved, that his years of caring for others had come full circle.
Standing on her tiptoes, Adeline pressed her lips to his. At first, neither of them moved, and Adeline lost herself in the warmth of his mouth.
She knew when he gave in, threw caution to the wind, and stepped closer to her.
Adeline did not question it nor give Jasper time to change his mind as she moved her lips against his and pressed her body close until they touched from chest to hips.
There was no line crossed, no warning given, no change in tempo, but suddenly, it was Jasper who commanded, led, tempted her further. His hands settled on her waist, lifting slightly, and her toes barely felt the ground beneath her. They were so close, she felt his heartbeat against her bosom as he claimed her lips, setting the pace as his tongue darted across her lower lip.
She’d never kissed a man before, had never met a male worthy of a stolen embrace, but her body knew what to do as she parted her lips and allowed his tongue to explore. Every instinct told her they’d done this a million times before: pressed their bodies close, sealed their lips. And she could not let him go. Adeline’s hands clutched at his shoulders, kneading them as his mouth moved with hers.
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