Charming the Elusive Earl (Charmed By Chance #2)

Chapter 16

16

T he cool night air was a blessed relief to Jane’s overheated skin.

Her heart still raced from the feel of his arms around her, and giddy triumph felt like champagne bubbles rushing through her veins.

A giggle escaped, and then a true laugh when she saw the surprise in his eyes.

He cast a quick look at the other couples and steered her toward a far corner of the veranda. From here they overlooked a garden, and the wind whipped against them.

“Are you too cold? We don’t have to stay long,” he started.

“No, it’s perfect.” She grinned up at him, her joy full to overflowing.

She’d had this feeling of a bird hovering at the edge of the cage earlier when she’d first arrived. An unnerving, unsettled sensation of having her feet in two worlds at once.

She’d been all but humming with trepidation.

But then the oddest thing happened. Marlin had arrived.

No, Jasper had arrived.

She’d seen him cutting through the crowd straight toward her. And in that moment it had all been so clear.

And yes, she could admit some of this bubbling triumph was in part due to the stunned looks and the awe in her critics’ eyes when he strode toward her with that fierce glare and claimed a dance.

He’d claimed her.

And he might not know it, but in that moment she’d claimed him too.

Her cheeks ached with this smile, even though she could see he was far more serious.

“Jane, there’s much we need to discuss.”

Her eyes widened. Had he learned of her father’s early arrival as well? “Yes, I agree. I was hoping to speak to you tonight as well.”

“Please. I must speak first. Before…” He cleared his throat. “Before we go any further.”

She blinked rapidly at that, her insides chilling at the ominous edge to his tone. “All right,” she said slowly. “What do you need to tell me?”

She listened in horror as he relayed Albright’s message.

“Your brother?” she echoed at one point. But other than that she stayed quiet.

Her heart ached for this man who spoke in such unfeeling tones. When really, he wasn’t unfeeling at all. Not in the least. He was a good man who cared deeply, he’d just learned not to admit it. To keep himself guarded and his feelings hidden.

How odd after all this time of thinking him a stranger and an enemy, to realize that in many ways they were so very alike.

“I am so sorry, Jasper,” she said when he was done.

He frowned as if confused by her words. “It will be a scandal to be certain when the news is revealed.”

“No, I meant…” She reached for his hand and squeezed. “I’m sorry your brother betrayed you and the title in such a way.”

“Oh. Well. Yes.” He was adorably flustered by that. “As I told Albright, my brother and I were not close. I am not as hurt as one might expect.”

She begged to differ. But she kept her lips pressed together. In that moment she understood something about him.

About her.

About them.

And it made her heart feel lighter. Indeed, it made her more certain than ever that her choice was right.

She’d spent years reading about the intricacies of emotions, while Jasper had seemingly spent just as much time avoiding emotions. She suspected that while he told himself he had no reason to be betrayed…he still felt betrayed. And a hundred other painful feelings around the topic of his brother.

And while she might be a dismal countess, this was one area where perhaps she could help him.

But tonight was not the night to delve into this matter, because her aunt’s warning about her father’s return was still in her ears.

First and foremost he had to tell him of her decision. But he continued before she could speak. “So you see, Jane. While I have never been more certain that you would be the perfect Countess of Marlin, I couldn’t possibly ask you to honor your commitment.”

Her gasp sounded absurdly loud in the quiet of the night. “Pardon?”

But even as he repeated himself and launched into an explanation about how she deserved better, her heart was sinking.

She’d heard him. And she understood exactly what he was trying to do.

Her dear, sweet fiancé was attempting to do the one thing he knew how to do best—protect that which he loved.

Her heart seemed to tremble right along with her hands as she reached out to him. He stared down at her outstretched hands for a moment before finally grasping them.

He loved her.

He might not be able to say it yet. Indeed, her emotionally addled Jasper might not even recognize the emotion, but she heard it in his voice and she saw it in his eyes.

It was clear as day to her…

And it perfectly echoed the way she’d come to feel about him.

She supposed another woman might have a flowery speech prepared, and another man might wish to hear it. But she was quiet by nature and Jasper would need her to be clear and decisive. So she settled for, “I’m going to marry you.”

He frowned. “Pardon? But…did you not hear what I said?”

“I heard you.”

“The consequences?—”

“I understand the consequences.”

The sudden flare of pain in his eyes threatened to break her heart even as it solidified her resolve and gave her a surge of confidence.

She was right. He loved her. Or, at the very least, he cared about her deeply, and that was a start. Triumph flared brighter than any pain.

“Jane, I could never ask you to take on my family’s burden.”

“You’re not asking,” she said gently. “I’m demanding it. You will honor your promise to my father and to me.”

A laugh bubbled up in her at his clear confusion, but she swallowed it. Her dear, sweet Jasper needed to know just how serious she was about this.

“I don’t think you understand,” he said slowly.

“Oh, but I do. And believe me when I say, I have many reservations about becoming a countess?—”

His flinch made her legs wobble, but she hurried on, her voice louder and stronger with confidence. “But I have no reservations at all about marrying you. I’d decided before you even arrived that I want nothing more than to be your wife, and I’m even more certain now after all you’ve told me.”

His brows furrowed, confusion and hope a muddled mix in his gaze. “But how…why…”

She squeezed his hands. “Truly, Jasper, my biggest fear is that I will not be the sort of countess the Marlin name deserves. I’m terrified of disappointing you and your people because I’m not now, and likely never will be, the ideal hostess or the perfect ally amongst the ton .”

He scowled. “I don’t care about that.”

She squeezed his hands. “I believe you. So please believe me when I say, I do not care if there’s a scandal to be born. That I can handle. In fact…” A smile tugged at her lips, and she adored the answering hope that sparked in his eyes. “If we were to be excluded from society events for a period of time, I’d be rather pleased.”

He studied her face. “You’re serious.”

“I have many fears to overcome still, Jasper. And I mean to, with your help and that of my friends. But whispers and laughter I am well used to. Being snubbed does not frighten me.”

A choking sound escaped him, and after a moment of fear she realized with relief that he was struggling not to laugh. He pulled her close and leaned down until his forehead rested against hers. “You are too good to be true, Jane. You are perfect.”

“No,” she said. “I’m flawed, just as you are. But perhaps…perhaps it’s our flaws that make us perfect…for each other.”

The heat that flared in his eyes stole her breath and made her knees go weak.

His arms around her grew tight, and if anyone was watching…well, she didn’t care. And he seemed to have forgotten where they were entirely.

“Do you mean that, Jane?” His voice was low and gruff.

She swallowed hard as she nodded. But not with fear. For the first time in ages, there was no fear in her.

Only resolve, and determination, and…

And love.

He bent down and kissed her, and heat flooded through her.

Certainty made her heart swell and had her twining her arms around his shoulders. She didn’t care who saw them, because the worst that could happen was people talked.

Let them.

She’d been the subject of whispers for ages, and it was a small price to pay for happiness.

“I adore you, Jane,” he whispered against his lips. “I will make you happy, I swear it. I will give you everything you wish for, anything you want, just tell me and?—”

“You already have,” she said, a smile curving her lips as he kissed her hard. “You’ve made me feel seen and heard. You’ve made me feel loved. There’s nothing more I could ask for. You’ve given me all I’ve ever wanted, and more than I’d ever dared to hope for.”

He looked stunned as he brushed her hair back and his gaze flitted over her features. “Jane, I…I think I love you.”

He sounded shocked, and her head fell back with a laugh that made his eyes sparkle and her own heart swell with happiness. “I know, Jasper.” She went up on her tiptoes to kiss him once more as she whispered, “I know.”

* * *

Thank you for reading. Next up, see how Ann falls for the stern Marquess in The Chance to Kiss a Marquess !