Forever

by Holt, Cheryl

  “I didn’t ruin Middlebury!” Jasper shifted his scathing focus to Helen. “What is your role in all this?”

  “My role?” She frowned. “I was minding my own business, and he showed up out of the blue.”

  “A likely story,” Jasper seethed.

  “As soon as he told me who he was, I wrote you at once.”

  “You’re fired!” Jasper huffed.

  Hayden laughed derisively. “She doesn’t work for you, Jasper.”

  “Who does she work for then?”

  “For me, you dolt. I guess the reality of your situation hasn’t settled in.”

  “I don’t care if you’re back,” Jasper fumed. “I’m earl, and you’re not. I won’t relinquish my spot. Get out!”

  Hayden simply rolled his eyes. “Pay attention, Jasper. It’s not your house any longer.”

  “We’ll see about that.”

  “Where are my sisters?” Hayden inquired, abruptly changing the subject.

  “How would I know?” Jasper lied.

  “You have no idea?” Hayden asked. “Seriously? After all the damage you’ve caused through your neglect and incompetence, are you sure that should be your answer?”

  Helen stepped to Jasper, her expression troubled. “Can you truly say that to him, Jasper? They’ve never visited or contacted you? You’ve received no letters?”

  Helen visually beseeched him to be honest, but Jasper pushed her away, feeling like a rabbit in a trap with the hounds approaching. In another second or two, he’d be ripped to shreds.

  “I have no information about them,” he blustered. “I’m not their nanny, and they weren’t my responsibility.”

  “What does that mean?” Hayden demanded. “You tossed them out of Middlebury? You cut all ties? What?”

  “I sent them to London to make their own way in the world. Why should I have had to support them? They were nothing to me, and I wasn’t about to cover their paltry expenses.”

  He hoped the news would infuriate Hayden. He didn’t have many arrows in his quiver, but he assumed a rude remark about his siblings would do the trick. He hated to be so boorish, but he was overcome by distress and desperate to exhibit some aplomb.

  He liked Hayden’s sisters, but he’d agreed with Des that he didn’t have the funds to guide three young ladies through their debuts, dowries, and weddings. He wasn’t a bank! And they’d managed.

  That shrewish teacher at their school had enrolled them with Mrs. Ford’s Employment Agency. They’d toiled away at good jobs in good homes. It wasn’t as if they’d starved on the street.

  “You sent them to London,” Hayden muttered. “They were the daughters of the Earl of Middlebury, and you sent them away? Are you telling me you haven’t heard from them since then? In ten years?”

  “No, sorry.”

  “So…any tragedy could have befallen them.”

  Jasper shrugged. “I suppose.”

  He’d never met a man with Hayden’s sort of past, so he couldn’t have understood how enraging his flip reply would be. Before he realized what was occurring, Hayden punched him as hard as he could.

  He knees buckled, and he crumpled to the floor. Hayden looked as if he might hit him again, but Helen leapt between them.

  “We’re not brawling in the foyer.” Her tone was scolding. “Stop it!”

  Mr. Stone stomped up, Camilla nowhere in sight. He reached down and lifted Jasper to his feet. Jasper was swaying, his nose bleeding.

  He wasn’t a terrible person, and he felt awful to have taunted his cousin. His comments had been overly spiteful, and he wished he could swallow them down and slink away. Helen was glowering with disappointment and Hayden with malice.

  “I shouldn’t have said that about your sisters,” Jasper mumbled.

  “No, you shouldn’t have, and if you mention them again, I’ll beat you to a pulp.”

  “I’m sure they’re fine.”

  Hayden raised a fist and delivered the blow he’d promised. Jasper collapsed again. Helen tsked with aggravation and yanked Hayden out of range.

  “Hayden! Desist! At once! You’re not brawling! I refuse to permit it.”

  Mr. Stone appeared bored with the entire meeting. He bent down and lifted Jasper, holding him as he rocked from side to side and tried to maintain his balance.

  “I’ve written to my lawyer, Mr. Thumberton,” Hayden said to Jasper.

  Thumberton was a costly attorney who served all the best families. In the early years, he’d served Jasper too until Jasper’s finances had started to plummet and he couldn’t pay the man’s excessive fees.

  “What have you told him?” Jasper asked, as he pulled a kerchief from his pocket and dabbed at his bloody nose.

  “Exactly what you’d imagine. After a decade in the grave, I’ve returned with a vengeance, and he’s to begin the process of retrieving what is mine.”

  “You can’t just…just…take things from me.”

  “Haven’t you figured it out, Jasper? I already have.”

  He burst into tears. “But what will I tell Desdemona?”

  “Why would I care how you explain it to that shrew?”

  “This is so unfair,” Jasper complained. “It’s not right.”

  “I’ve packed your belongings,” was Hayden’s response.

  “You can’t do that!”

  “Aren’t you listening, Jasper? I already have. Give Helen your address in town, and we’ll send a wagon.”

  “I guess I’ll…I’ll…be at the town house.”

  “You guessed wrong. I’ve had the locks changed, and I’ve had your name removed from the bank accounts.”

  It was gradually dawning on him that the money was ending, his status was ending, his elevated life was ending. He’d been Earl of Middlebury for ten glorious years, but what was he now?

  He’d never fully appreciated the affluence and luxury that had been bestowed on him through an accident. Des had convinced him they’d deserved the largess that had been dumped on them, but they’d taken it all for granted.

  They hadn’t been good stewards. They hadn’t protected anything or built anything. Who would stand with them during this hideous period? Who might fight on their behalf to reverse such an injustice?

  They had no true friends, and he couldn’t think of a single person.

  “Where will I live?” he asked. “How will I support myself?”

  “I might be persuaded to furnish you with a small stipend,” Hayden said, “but it depends on what I learn about my sisters. If they’ve been imperiled, you won’t receive a penny from me. Ever. And I’ll murder you besides.”

  “Your sisters are fine! I swear!”

  “Get out of my house!”

  “Can we talk about this? I need a few minutes to…to…”

  Helen clasped his arm. “I’ll show you out, Cousin Jasper.”

  She led him away from Hayden and briskly walked him toward the front door. He managed a glance at his cousin.

  Hayden looked livid and dangerous and completely in his element, like an ancient warrior who’d survived numerous great battles. Jasper had always wished he could pose like that, that he could look like that, but he was a lesser version of Hayden. He knew it. Everyone knew it.

  In her letter, Helen had warned him that there was an interloper on the property, but Jasper hadn’t taken the news seriously. He’d assumed he would chase away the imposter, then loaf in the country with Camilla, but every bit of his wealth and pomp was forfeit. How had he arrived at such a wretched spot?

  Helen guided him out, and Mr. Stone marched behind them so Jasper couldn’t yank away and storm back inside.

  “Will you return to London, Jasper?” Helen asked.

  “I can’t decide. I’m so confused.”

  “I’m sorry for all of this. I realize it’s shocking, and I can’t imagine how you’re feeling.”

  Helen gestured to the carriage. Camilla was next to it, paci
ng and eager to quarrel.

  “You should escort Miss Robertson to London,” Helen said, “then you have to find Des and notify her of what’s transpired. You have to find your wife, Jasper. You have to discuss this with her.”

  “Des will kill me.”

  “It’s not your fault,” Helen kindly advised. “It’s not anybody’s fault. Fate took him away, but it seems Fate brought him back.”

  Jasper halted and gazed at her. “What am I to do, Helen? Tell me.”

  “I did tell you. Hurry to London and find Desdemona. Beyond that, I have no suggestions except perhaps—in the future—you should try to reconcile with Hayden. At the moment, he’s incredibly angry, but he’ll calm down. It would be in your fiscal interest to be on better terms with him.”

  “I suppose.”

  “You could start by providing information about his sisters. I’m certain you possess plenty.”

  “I’ll consider it.”

  “Where will you be?”

  “Ah…ah…at Des’s mother’s? That’s where she’s staying, so I’ll probably stay there too.”

  “I’ll send your belongings there, and Hayden will be in touch. I’ll make sure of it.”

  They’d reached the carriage, and Camilla saw his swollen, bloodied nose.

  “What happened to you?” she fumed. “Were you hit? Was it that brigand in the house? He hit you?”

  She appeared as if she’d stomp inside and give Hayden a piece of her mind. If Mr. Stone hadn’t been there, she might have attempted it, but he was a fierce fellow, and Camilla recognized that he was.

  “Let’s go, Camilla,” Jasper murmured.

  “We’re not leaving, Jasper!” she said. “You can’t depart while that monster is in your home. I won’t allow him to run you off.”

  If only it were that easy…

  “Let’s go,” he repeated. “I’m too distraught to argue about it.”

  Helen opened the carriage door, and she glared at Camilla, visually ordering her to get in. They engaged in a staring match, and Jasper was stunned to discover that Helen had a bit more spine than he might have predicted.

  Camilla was completely cowed, and she whipped away and climbed in. Jasper climbed in after her, but Helen had to steady him on the step. He was dizzy and disoriented and felt as if he might just fall over. Or curl into a ball and cry like a baby.

  Helen shut the door, and Camilla leaned out and threatened, “We’ll be back—with the authorities!”

  “I doubt it,” Helen retorted.

  “Camilla, please,” he said. “Be quiet for once.”

  “I won’t be, Jasper. Someone has to take your side. These people are your enemies.”

  “I have to proceed on to London. I’ll explain the situation on the way.”

  Mr. Stone stuck his head in. “Hayden will want this coach. We’ll convey you to wherever it is you’re currently traveling, then we’ll have a driver fetch it. Watch over it for him. If you scratch it or wreck it, he’ll expect you to reimburse him.”

  Jasper was too astounded to bicker over it, but Camilla snapped, “Stop badgering him.”

  “I can’t,” Mr. Stone said. “It’s too entertaining.”

  He sauntered away and signaled to the driver. The vehicle lumbered off, and Jasper peered out the window, studying the manor as they circled the drive, as they rolled down the lane. Very quickly, it vanished from view.

  A ferocious silence descended, and Camilla gaped at him, scrutinizing his ruined nose, his blood-stained clothes.

  “What was that about, Jasper?” she demanded. “Who was that blond man? Why was he in your home?”

  “He’s my cousin, Hayden.”

  She scowled. “Hayden…Henley? Is that what you’re claiming? He’s your dead cousin, Hayden? It’s really him? He’s alive?”

  “Apparently.”

  “Where has he been all these years?”

  “Who knows?”

  “You can’t permit him to move in and seize control.”

  “How could I have prevented it?”

  “You’re not an earl anymore, are you?”

  “No, I don’t believe I am.”

  “You’re nobody now.”

  “No. Not after he tells everyone who he is.”

  “What about the house you rented for me? What about my servants and my carriage?”

  “I can’t guarantee you’ll be able to keep them. I might be about to have a few financial problems.”

  She assessed him meticulously, the interval playing out, then she started to laugh. Her mirth grew, and she laughed harder and harder, until tears ran down her cheeks, and she sounded quite mad.

  “What’s so funny?” he grumbled. “In light of my dilemma, I can’t think of a single topic that’s hilarious.”

  “I picked you to rescue me, but there’s no rescue to be had.” She shook her head with disgust. “I allied myself with you of all people. I’m a dunce and a fool.”

  “We like each other so much. We can still be friends. Naught has to change.”

  “You’re joking, aren’t you?”

  “No, I’m not joking. Everything can stay the same. Why shouldn’t it?”

  She flashed such a derisive glower that he sank into his seat.

  “Shut up, Jasper. Just shut the hell up.”

  She nestled into the corner and closed her eyes.

  * * * *

  “Are you all right?”

  “Yes, I’m fine.”

  Helen stood in the door to the library. Hayden was over by the window, gazing out at the park.

  “Jasper left,” she said.

  “Good.”

  “Mr. Stone and I watched until he disappeared down the road.”

  She was never sure how to act around him. She had no connection to him and had no role except that they’d become friends in an odd way, and she couldn’t bear that he was hurting.

  She went over to him, and he was so furious he was trembling, his temper at a fevered pitch. She rested a hand on the center of his back, rubbing in slow, soothing circles.

  “That was difficult for you,” she murmured.

  He shrugged. “I’ve endured much worse. I’ll survive.”

  “I thought you might kill him.”

  “I wanted to.”

  “I’m relieved you didn’t.”

  “He was lucky you were there to stop me or I can’t predict how it might have ended.”

  She chuckled. “Who would ever have imagined I would be Jasper’s champion?”

  “I’d forgotten what a pathetic buffoon he is.”

  “He never had the skills to manage this place. Desdemona either. They weren’t raised to it as you were.”

  “I hate him,” he vehemently muttered.

  “I know, but take a few deep breaths. You have to calm down.”

  “The entire encounter was ugly. I wish you hadn’t witnessed it.”

  “I’m glad that I could be there for you.”

  He spun to her, and without hesitating, he drew her into his arms, and he kissed her passionately, desperately. He seemed perched on a perilous cliff and could easily tumble over the edge. She was the only barrier that could keep him from falling.

  She kissed him back, imbuing the embrace with all the affection and tenderness she could muster. She was anxious for him to feel how much she cared about him, how much he meant to her.

  They continued for an eternity, his emotions pummeling her. She held him and caressed him and whispered comments of comfort and concern. Gradually, the tempest waned, and over by the door, a man cleared his throat. Hayden straightened and turned to see who had interrupted.

  It was her father, and he grinned at them like the cat that had caught the canary. She tried to skitter away, to put some space between her and Hayden, but he linked their fingers so she couldn’t escape.

  “Don’t mind me,” her father said. “There’s an excellent array of liquor i
n this room, and I’d like to pour myself a brandy.”

  “Pour it, Simon,” she scolded, “then go away.”

  He studied Hayden, then he moved to the sideboard and dispensed a tall glass. She and Hayden stared at him, waiting for him to leave.

  He headed out, cradling his glass of liquor, but before he exited, he toasted them.

  “My daughter’s a lovely girl,” he said to Hayden. “Don’t you agree?”

  “She’s a very lovely girl,” Hayden responded.

  “I’m delighted you noticed.”

  Then he strolled out, a definite swagger in his stride.

  She snorted with amusement. “That was awkward.”

  “Your father is an interesting man.”

  “Interesting is not the word I would use to describe him. Can he stay at Middlebury for a bit? Just until I figure out what to do with him? Desdemona ordered me to bar the door to him, but I can’t force myself to treat him that way.”

  “It’s a big house.”

  The reply didn’t really answer her question, but she convinced herself that her request had been granted.

  Suddenly, she felt that she was the one out on a cliff and about to tumble off. “Would you sit down for a minute? I have to talk to you about an important issue.”

  “What is it? From your dour expression, I’m betting I won’t like it.”

  “It’s regarding a remark Jasper made.”

  “Now I’m certain I won’t like it.”

  “I had decided not to mention it, but it would be wrong for me to remain silent.”

  “I’d better brace myself with a drink.”

  Mr. Stone entered, and she sighed with relief. In her dithering about whether to confess her secret, she’d thought to confide in Mr. Stone, but she hadn’t had the chance. He’d help her muddle through the tricky interlude.

  “Hello, Mr. Stone. I’m glad you’re here.”

  He nodded to her. “Did you tell Hayden his cousin departed?”

  “Yes, I told him. Would you join us? I have to explain a difficult subject to him, and I’d like you to listen in. Actually, I need you to listen.”

  Mr. Stone’s brows rose. He and Hayden shared a potent visual exchange, then Hayden went to the sideboard and poured them both a whiskey. He came over and offered one to Mr. Stone. They stood together, glaring at her.