Charming the Elusive Earl (Charmed By Chance #2)

Chapter 14

14

T he sun beat down on Jane, and she had no doubt that her aunt would nag her about freckles since she’d tossed aside her bonnet.

But that knowledge did little to dim her spirits as Marlin–no, Jasper. He’d insisted she call him Jasper on these outings. Jasper poured her a cup of lemonade from the pitcher and nudged the picnic basket toward her. “There’s more fruit, if you’re still hungry.”

She pressed a hand to her stomach with a laugh. “How could I possibly still be hungry? Your cook prepared the most decadent meal I’ve ever had. Especially on a picnic.”

His lips curved up slightly. “I shall pass along your compliments.”

Jane smiled, and then dipped her head as her belly fluttered and her cheeks warmed. But this new tension between them, it wasn’t bad. Not at all.

It was almost…lovely. A little disconcerting, perhaps. But it was no longer intimidation that made her tremble when he was so close. And it wasn’t fear that made her heart race.

This was their fourth “outing” as she’d come to think of them. Not including that day in the shed. Which clearly did not count.

No, these outings seemed specifically designed to show Jane that he’d listened to her. Why, even now her feet were bare and still damp, tucked beneath her skirts, and all because he’d remembered that silly list she’d come up with on the spot during the ball.

Walk barefoot along the creek , he’d said simply, when she’d gaped in shock as he took it upon himself to unlace her boots.

“Your turn,” he said as he settled back to rest on his elbows. Birds sang overhead, and he seemed just as content to sit here and enjoy the long-awaited sunshine as she was. It had been a marvelously long and lazy afternoon.

And now he’d launched into his other new favorite pastime—aggressively getting to know one another. He’d started a new game, of sorts, in which they took turns asking one another personal questions.

He waited patiently. Always so patient with her, and never once did he tease her for blushing or being tongue-tied. And because of that, it had become increasingly easier and easier to speak to him the way she spoke with her friends. Plainly, and without second guessing herself.

Amusement bubbled up inside her at his serious expression. He took this ‘game’ as seriously as he did everything else. No, more so. He’d set out to get to know her—really know her—in the manner of a general waging war. “Did you enjoy being in the military?”

He frowned. But she was coming to understand his expressions better now. It was never just glares and frowns. Yes, those were expressions he wore often, but they typically meant he was being thoughtful, and choosing his next words with care.

This frown, she knew, meant he was genuinely mulling over her question before answering.

“Yes,” he finally said. “I always knew I wanted to get out of the house as soon as I was of age. I was in search of purpose, and the military gave me that.” He stared up at the treetops as the sound of a brook played a melody in the background. “And besides that, I was good at it.”

The wry smile he turned on her was very nearly sheepish. And rather adorable, really.

“I hope that does not sound pompous.”

“No, it sounds honest,” she said.

He gave her a real smile, then. And that smile made her insides melt.

He sat up straight and brushed off his hands. “Everything was very clear to me in the military.”

His voice was low, his tone slow, and her heart inexplicably ached at the intimacy of it. She knew without him having to say so that this game of theirs—opening up to one another—was just as difficult for him as for her. But he never shrank from her questions.

And indeed, he used them as an opportunity to reveal his character, his way of thinking....

Often, his heart.

“How so?” she asked.

“The enemy is known. The instructions are clear. It’s all very simple, really. Well, my part was clear, at least. I understood my assignments and executed them with efficiency.”

She nodded. “And being an Earl…”

“Is anything but clear.”

She nearly laughed aloud at the quickness of his retort and was gratified to see a twitch of amusement at the corners of his mouth.

“I wasn’t trained to take over, because of course everyone assumed my brother would have a son.” He tipped his head to the side, a silent ‘but of course that didn’t happen.’

“Has it been a difficult transition then?” she asked.

When his gaze lifted to meet hers, her breath caught. But it wasn’t with nerves. It was just…he had such a way of looking at her.

That intensity which used to frighten her now made her feel seen. Appreciated. It was disconcerting, after so many years of being ignored and unnoticed, but not bad.

Not bad at all.

“It has had its difficulties,” he said at last.

“Because the enemy is unclear?” she guessed, only partially teasing.

He dipped his head with a small smile. “Something like that. I understand how to manage the land, and deal with the tenants. It’s the role I have to play in society I haven’t quite figured out, as you’ve no doubt witnessed. I haven’t been able to sort that out as quickly as I’d like.”

The honesty of it made her eyes sting. All this time she’d taken his absences at balls and the like as a personal affront.

Now, she wondered what it said about her. The fact that she’d never stopped to think what it said about him .

She reached for his hand without thinking. “All of that will come, Jasper.”

His eyes flashed with something she couldn’t name. Her cheeks heated. He’d been asking her to use his given name, but that was the first time it had slipped out so naturally.

“You think I’m being impatient,” he said.

“I think you’re being too hard on yourself,” she corrected.

His brows hitched in surprise. But she knew she wasn’t wrong. She was coming to understand this man and the way he thought. If he couldn’t do something perfectly, or wasn’t completely certain he could do it well, he’d avoid doing it at all.

It wasn’t cowardice, it was forethought.

He was a man who planned everything with military precision. She had no doubt now that he’d meant what he’d said about his visits to her. That he’d intended to get to know her at a slow pace in the hopes that she’d overcome her fear of him in time.

He’d chosen a slow, methodical route to woo her, not knowing that by keeping his distance he’d only made himself more frightening in her eyes.

She understood now that this had been his way of thinking when it had come to her and their engagement, and she suspected he felt the same about society. He was thoughtful and methodical. He’d tackle his priorities in order, and when he felt it was time to handle society he’d handle that with the same stubborn determination.

And if we were to marry, would I be of any help? When the time came when he wished to take over the world of politics and good society, would she be an asset to him as his wife, or would she be a detriment?

The thought brought a pang of panic.

“What is it?” His gaze sharpened and she swallowed hard as she shook her head.

“It’s nothing.”

But it wasn’t nothing, because for the past week as he’d determinedly sought her out and tried to convince her he could make her happy as her husband, she’d never stopped to think if she was the person who could make him happy.

Was she the sort of countess he’d need?

Her belly churned at the sudden onslaught of insecurities.

“Are you certain you’re all right?” he asked.

She started to come to her feet, and he hurried to do the same. She couldn’t quite look at him as she began to pack up the last of the food still sitting out. “I just realized how late it must be getting. I really ought to be heading back.”

If she glanced his way, he’d no doubt see that she wasn’t fine. Not at all. But this was not a problem he could fix. She needed time on her own to sort through her thoughts.

He hurried to help her pack their things, and a silence fell between them.

The first that wasn’t a comfortable silence since…

Well, since she didn't know when. At what point had she grown so comfortable around him?

She straightened, and caught him watching her, and she couldn’t ignore the pang of disappointment she felt to be leaving him.

Oh goodness. At what point had she begun to long to be near him?

Her brows furrowed. It had happened quickly. So quickly she hadn’t had time to consider his wants in all this.

Her cheeks heated at his stare. Not in discomfort, but in shame.

She’d been selfish. So focused on what she’d get out of this arrangement, and if he’d be a good match for her…

But would she ever be the sort of lady who’d make a good hostess? Who’d be an asset to a man like Marlin, who needed an ally in society?

The thoughts had her biting her lip and avoiding his gaze.

“I suppose you need to get back as well,” she said, her eyes trained on her feet as they walked back to their horses.

“Yes, I expect Lord Albright will be arriving shortly to discuss the smuggling matter.”

The smuggling matter. She glanced over at the thicket of woods where the shed lay. It felt so long ago now that she’d run away from him…

So much had changed between them.

But like always, the mere mention of that day had her thoughts flying to that kiss. To the overwhelming shock as his warm lips met hers.

It was rare in life to have a moment that was so thoroughly shocking it flipped one’s sense of up and down. But that’s what that moment had been.

That was the moment he’d gone from the cold, elusive Earl to…a man.

A man whose kiss was anything but cold.

And as always, that memory made her shiver.

Of course her overly observant fiancé caught it. “They’re not there any longer. They’d be fools to return.”

She nodded but she felt his gaze on her as he led her back toward her property. They’d been sneaking away for these outings, even though her aunt would only applaud this new development. But Jasper was so very intent on making sure she felt no undue pressure.

“Jane.” His hand on her arm had her looking up into his too-serious gaze. “No matter what you decide about our future, I will never let anyone harm you.”

A smile tugged at her lips. “I know that.”

And she meant it. Because while she might not know much, she understood with utmost clarity now that despite his often cold exterior, he was a warmhearted man.

He was a good man.

And he could be my man.

The thought startled her, but the way her heart clenched and pounded made her gasp. “I have to get back,” she said.

“Of course.”

He walked her home in silence, and she felt a surge of relief when his fierce gaze couldn’t follow her any longer as she slipped into the house. She was nearly safe in her room when her aunt rounded a corner and found her. “Ah, there you are!”

Jane gave a start. Blast. She’d been so close.

“Why aren’t you getting ready?” her aunt chided. “We don’t have much time before we leave for the Grovers’ ball.”

They had hours yet, but Jane knew better than to argue. “Yes, Aunt.”

“And your father returns tomorrow, so no more running away to read in the woods, or whatever it is you do out there all day.” Her aunt sounded more distracted than annoyed, but Jane froze at her doorway.

“Father returns? But…but I thought he was gone for another week, at least.”

Her aunt shrugged, still moving. Her aunt was always on the move. “Yes, well, I suppose he finished his business early, didn’t he? All I know is, he sent word that he’d be back by tomorrow.”

Her aunt kept moving, shouting for a maid to help Jane dress for the evening’s event. And Jane was left gawking after her.

Her father would be home.

And her time had run out.

She had to make a decision once and for all.