She should argue that no forgiveness should have been needed.
“And your scars…do they pain you still?” Adeline kept her focus away from Jasper. If her questions made him uncomfortable, she did not seek to make it worse. “I mean, I do not know their extent, but I can only assume your recovery was a long, arduous time.”
He chuckled lightly, but she was uncertain if it was to distract her from her line of questioning or if he found a jest in her words. “They have not hurt in many years and cover only my cheek, neck, arm, and part of my side to my hip. Yes, it was painful, but nothing as grave as that which my servants suffered at the loss of their loved ones.”
How could he think to compare the two? And how had his people been so blinded as not to see the man beneath the scars? Adeline had no doubt that Jasper had hurt just as fervently—if not more—than those who called Faversham home.
“When I purchased the gunpowder plant after the government abandoned the factory when the war ended, I promised paying positions to any man, woman, or growing boy who sought employment. I’ve worked hard to make amends and bring the people of Faversham back together through prosperous growth in our small town.” His voice cracked once more. “And I nearly lost everything I gained when that wall collapsed on Grovedale. If he—or anyone else—had been seriously injured, my connection to Faversham would have been permanently severed.”
“But that did not happen.”
He began to walk once more. “No, it did not.”
“However, they still call you the Beast of Faversham.”
“It is a title I am used to, Miss Adeline.” He patted her hand where it sat nestled at his elbow. “My aunt preached kindness and compassion in all manner of situations, even when it is necessary to look past unfair treatment of myself.”
“You are superior to me, my lord,” Adeline commented.
“I have had over ten years of practice, Miss Adeline,” he said with a chuckle—not the deep, lighthearted laughter from earlier, but a dark, gravelly sound that had Adeline wondering what other pain he suppressed. “But now, it is time I return you to your brother and ready myself for my first London ball.”
Adeline was shocked to realize they’d arrived at his waiting coach. George, the Ailesbury driver, held the door wide and waited for them to enter. She didn’t want to move, didn’t want to break the private moment they currently shared. There were so many questions still unanswered.
However, when Jasper turned his strained smile on her and held his hand out to assist her up into the waiting conveyance, Adeline knew, rather than suspected, that their conversation was over and Jasper would not be sharing any more about his past…at least for the time being.
Chapter 20
ADELINE STARED INTO the looking glass as Poppy slipped the final button through its intended hole and dipped her head to her mistress before departing the room. The door had not so much as latched closed before her friends leapt from their various seats around her bedchambers to stand beside her.
Each woman had selected a gown befitting their individual style. Georgie’s was a low-cut, daring dark red with a glittering jeweled waistband. Josie wore a peach concoction better suited to a girl fresh from the schoolroom than a woman of her age. And, Theo, as always, had chosen a conservative, high-necked, full-skirted, light green dress that enhanced the sheen of her dark hair.
Adeline’s gown was a shimmering blue with a moss green overskirt and cream lace embellishments, and she had a tight pearl choker around her throat. Against her mother’s wishes, Adeline had had her hair curled and left it to hang free over her shoulders and down her back. She cared not a whit women her age preferred their hair arranged high atop their crowns and beaded through with lengths of ribbon or pearls.
Her entire ensemble would not have been something she’d chosen only a month before. Not even a week before.
“You are stunning, Adeline,” Theo gushed.
“The coloring matches your complexion superbly,” Josie sighed, clutching her hands to her chest as she looked ready to swoon.
“And quite reserved for you,” Georgie added.
The gown was nothing like she would have longed for in the past. Normally, she would have selected a dress far more similar to Georgie’s with its daring neckline and bold hue, perhaps in a deep blue with sapphires at her neck, ears, and wrist.
“The dress is perfect.” Josie glanced down at her own gown, her pale complexion matching the peach colored material that was likely altered from a morning gown design to fit the night’s festivities. It was no secret that the woman’s family barely had the funds to even remain in London; however, Georgie—with Adeline’s help—made certain their friend never went without. “I envy your talent for commissioning gowns, Adeline.”
Adeline smiled at her friend in the looking glass. “This night would not be possible if it weren’t for all of you.”
It was hard to believe the trio had gone to such lengths to make sure Adeline’s birthday celebration was a success. Even now, the strings of the small orchestra carried up the stairs from the ballroom below and echoed through the halls to be heard in Adeline’s chambers.
Guests were likely arriving in droves.
All for her…
But she only thought of one man—longed to see one lord, and desired only his eyes on her.
“Do you think Lord Ailesbury will come tonight?” Adeline hadn’t meant to put voice to her concerns. Hadn’t intended to bring up the man’s name at all, especially before three women who knew her as keenly as she knew herself.
“Did he not say he was coming when he delivered you home this afternoon?” Theo asked, reaching forward to adjust the shoulder of Adeline’s gown.
“Yes, but—“
“Then he will be here,” Georgie replied, matter-of-factly.
“How can you be so certain?” She’d had to stop herself from sending a missive around to his townhouse earlier, verifying his attendance at the ball.
“While I have only just met the man, my deductive reasoning says he is a lord of his word: polite, well-mannered, and gentlemanly at every turn.” Theo nodded as if her deductive reasoning were all the proof Adeline needed to gain confidence in her words. “Lord Ailesbury accepted Alistair’s invitation and also spoke to you about attending. He will be here, I am certain of it.”
Adeline wished she held even a fraction of Theo’s confidence, but after their turn in the park, she was not at all certain Jasper relished an entire evening on display before the ton.
“He is a fierce lord,” Josie said. “I barely found my tongue when around him.”
“…the man is dashingly handsome, despite his, errr, damage,” Georgie added.
It was the first time her friends had mentioned Jasper’s scars, and Adeline fought back the need to bite out a harsh retort. She must remember that these women were her friends and would never say anything to disparage Jasper.
“What do you think of the man?” Theo’s intense stare met Adeline’s in the mirror, and she looked away quickly, forcing her interest to the lace at her waist. “Come now, you must have some fondness for the man if you accepted his offer to escort you back to London and invited him to our practice this morning.”
If she made eye contact with any of the woman in the room, they would see the true fondness that had grown between her and Jasper—or at least the attraction she had for him.
“You are likely hesitant to speak of him or have him attend you in public.” Georgie shrugged and turned to collect her dance card from the table next to Adeline’s bed.
“Whatever do you mean by that?” Adeline snapped.
“Only that his physical scars are not what most women find themselves drawn to.”
“I do not notice his scars.” Her voice held a force she hadn’t intended, belying everything she’d said. Taking a calming breath, she faced Georgie. “Jasper, Lord Ailesbury, is far more than his scars. I have gotten to know the man behind them—very well.”
Geo
rgie only huffed and focused her attention on tying the ribbons of her dance card around her narrow wrist.
“I have witnessed his kind heart firsthand,” Adeline stumbled over her words in her rush to defend Jasper—to the only group of people she’d never thought she’d need defend him to. “He saved a man from certain death at his plant in Faversham. And he was humble about it. A child thanked him and he…he…” Adeline hadn’t known the exact words that passed between the pair before her mother collected her, but he’d been kind to the child. She was certain of that.
“Do you know his intention with you?” Theo asked, still at her side.
“Yes, Adeline, do you think he will offer a proper courtship? Mayhap speak with your brother about offering for your hand?” Josie lowered herself to sit on Adeline’s neatly arranged bed. “Imagine being betrothed to Lord Ailesbury!”
“Nothing has been promised nor mentioned beyond him escorting me back to London and accepting my brother’s invitation.” Adeline sighed, surprised to discover she wanted his intentions to reach farther—last longer—than the mere few days they’d had together. “He has been a gentleman since the moment we met. He is kind to his servants and is an admirable listener. He has much dedication to his people and the land surrounding his family home in Kent.”
“No mention of handsomeness, title, wealth, or landholdings…”
“A man is more than the title and wealth he possesses,” Adeline threw back at Georgie.
The woman held up her arms, palms out, a smirk settling on her lips. “Oh, we understand that, evident by my marriage to Felton and Theo’s marriage to Alistair; however, you’ve never taken an interest in any lord beyond what could be yours in the marriage contract.”
“That is vulgarly offensive.” Indignation flared, and her pulse thrashed in her head, distorting any conversation happening around her. “Besides, I have not shown attention to any man since coming out in society.”
Neither Josie nor Theo would meet her glare as they moved about her chambers, collecting their belongings. Georgie rested her hands on her hips, her smug grin remaining in place.
Adeline wanted to yell, throw her hands wide, and stomp her slipper-clad foot. But she suspected her irritation would only incite their further scrutiny regarding the connection between her and Jasper. She did not want any attention focused on the pair of them, especially during the ball to come, as Adeline hoped to find a few moments of privacy with Jasper before he returned to Faversham Abbey—and disappeared from her life.
Thankfully, Poppy tapped lightly on the door, rescuing Adeline from any further inquisition. “Lady Melton, Miss Adeline, m’lord be request’n your presence and assistance with greet’n the guests.”
“We will be right out.” Theo straightened her gown and checked her hair in the mirror, each woman following suit. “Shall we, ladies?”
Chapter 21
JASPER TOOK A single—albeit small—step forward.
Any progress is progress, he reminded himself.
And after waiting in the long line of carriages outside the Melton townhouse to be deposited in the drive, the receiving line was not nearly as daunting in its length. As far as he’d noticed, he was the only gentleman to arrive unattended, without a woman on his arm or friends at his side. Jasper recognized he lived a modest lifestyle in Kent; however, he could not comprehend how any one person—or even family—was acquainted with so many people.
Undoubtedly, every member of society had been invited…and arrived at the same moment to celebrate Adeline’s birthday.
How had he completely missed her station in the ton?
Every man of marriageable age who was not already wedded or betrothed stood in line before and after him, with likely much more already in the ballroom.
Jasper pulled at the sleeve of his finely pressed shirt and adjusted his cravat. Bloody hell but he appeared the strutting peacock, a confirmed London dandy, in the coat and trousers he’d been given, with the iridescent, pale blue neckcloth tied precariously about his neck. The thing should be black, not a blue that seemed to change color with the lighting. The hue was one he’d never seen before and certainly not something he would ever don again—nor the rest of his garb. It was all rather wasteful, though Jasper was loath to admit his change of heart after ordering a completely new wardrobe from Lord Melton’s tailor.
The funds would have been better spent on restoring the east wing of the Abbey or adding a new warehouse at the plant.
He moved forward once more, this time three paces.
Jasper noticed a familiar face not far off, the butler who’d greeted Adeline the previous day…and he had a tray of tall flutes.
When Jasper nodded in the man’s direction, he hurried over and inclined his head. “Lord Ailesbury. Lord and Lady Melton are happy to have you present for Miss Adeline’s celebration. Refreshment?”
“Thank you,” Jasper said, relieving the man of a glass. “I thought this was to be a small gathering.”
“Oh, yes, my lord.” The butler’s head bobbed up and down. “Only two hundred invitations were hand-delivered to the most deserving households in London and the bordering countryside.” He paused as if remembering something. “You, Lord Ailesbury, made two hundred and one.”
From the servant’s widened eyes, Jasper suspected his complexion had turned a rare shade of green. Two hundred invitations, multiplied by several family members in each household…that must be…
“Five hundred and fifty-three, errr, fifty-four, guests,” the butler said, supplying the number Jasper was too dumbfounded to compute on his own.
“And that is a small number?”
“Certainly, my lord.” The butler nodded as the group of men behind him each took a flute from his tray. “Lady Melton found it necessary to eliminate over one hundred and fifty guests.”
“And Lord and Lady Melton are familiar with all these people?” Jasper had never felt so insignificant in his entire existence. The villagers rarely allowed him to forget that they were keeping watch over him. “That is rather difficult to believe, or perhaps I am simply unfamiliar with town ways.”
“You will grow accustomed to the extravagant nature of London, my lord.” With a reassuring smile, the butler moved down the line and nodded as guests took refreshments from his tray.
Whatever did the man mean by his comment that Jasper would grow accustomed to London?
He was counting down the hours until he was on his way back to Faversham Abbey and away from the senseless, absurd, and excessive ways of town life. He breathed deeply, picturing the simple life he led in Kent: his estate, his business, and his people, regardless if they denied him as their provider and beneficiary or not.
Taking another step forward, Jasper glanced over the shoulder of the woman in front of him to see that he was nearly to the ballroom doors, though he was still unable to gain sight of Lord and Lady Melton where they greeted guests. Every once in a while, the deep chords of Melton’s voice carried out of the grand ballroom.
Jasper must have gotten a fraction too close, for the woman turned around, her eyes narrowing before widening—in surprised alarm?—as a smile settled on her lips. She took in his height and seemed to appreciate his neckcloth before her stare halted at his cheek and his burns traveling lower into his shirt. The woman’s welcoming smile turned to a frown, and she pivoted back around, taking a step closer to her escort for the evening.
Swinging his gaze back to the door behind him, Jasper noted the young woman who’d sought Adeline’s attention in the park before turning sharply and quickly scurrying away.
He smiled and nodded when he caught her eye. Despite his civility, the lady turned toward the couple she stood with—from the matching hair color and stature, her parents—and laughed as if she’d been part of their conversation the entire time.
The cut direct—or indirect, as it were.
His stomach clenched, and his breath froze in his chest as disbelief and disappointment coursed through him. Why h
ad he thought London would be any different than Kent?
And bloody hell, why did it bother him? The villagers avoided him as if he carried the plague. It appeared those in the ton could spot a pariah as well as any country dweller.
Pivoting forward once more, Jasper took several steps and entered the ballroom.
Another servant stepped forward, relieving him of his flute.
He need only make it through the next hour or so, wish Adeline the best, greet her family and friends, and finally take his leave…from the ball and London altogether.
It should not be overly difficult.
Jasper had seen difficult, witnessed it firsthand, lived with it nearly his entire life.
A crowded London ballroom filled to bursting with the haughty beau monde was not enough to send him cowering and scurrying home, his proverbial tail between his legs.
“Lord Ailesbury,” Lady Melton called as he arrived at the front of the line. “We are pleased you came.”
Jasper bowed to his host and hostess. “Good evening Lady Melton, Lord Melton. I am honored to be present to celebrate Miss Adeline’s birthday.”
His attention remained on Lady Melton, not daring to glance farther down the line. Would Adeline be waiting to greet him, or had she already taken to the dance floor? Even the thought of her in another man’s arms had his cravat closing off his airway.
Next, he greeted a tall, stately woman with hair the same hue as Adeline’s but lacking the shine and luster of the younger woman’s curls.
“Lord Ailesbury.” His name was exhaled on a raspy sigh. “I was beginning to wonder if you’d become lost on the London streets.”
Jasper swung his stare farther down the line, past two young men and a girl who looked fresh from the schoolroom, until he spotted Adeline.
It took everything in his power not to push the couple in front of him out of the way to get to her, to take her proffered gloved hand and press his lips to the delicate spot at her wrist. If he closed his eyes, he could envision her as she’d been at Faversham: hair wild and loose from their breakneck ride across the meadow, her skin damp from the rain, and her eyes…alive from the thrill of it all.
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