Page 68 of The Baron Takes a Bet
Seating across from him, Gavin leaned forward.
“What is it then? Why have you left Eton?”
Jasper rolled his eyes like any insolent youth.
“Why? What are you going to do? Send me back?” Jasper asked sarcastically, not answering Gavin. “Just because you married my sister doesn’t mean you can tell me what to do.”
“Jasper Francis Smyth,” Holly said through clenched teeth. “What is the matter with you? Where are your manners?”
“Manners? Why should I show anyone any manners? Especially him? You didn’t even know you’d married this man,” he spat out. “Until Mr. Armstrong informed you that that old fool managed to trick you into it.”
Holly inhaled sharply, ready to break out into an argument again. But Gavin put his hand on her knee. Though it was a small enough gesture, she stopped. Gavin faced Jasper.
“Are you finished puffing out your plumage?”
Jasper glared at him.
“Listen—”
“No. Not until you tell me what you were doing at White’s the other day.”
Recognition flared in Jasper’s eyes. Folding his arms against his chest, his gaze dropped to the floor.
“So, you were there,” the youth said, sitting back. “I wasn’t sure.”
“What were you doing there?” Holly asked. “You’re too young to enter that place.”
“I’m not too young. I’m perfectly capable of holding my own at a hazard tables. And figuring out what to do about Felton Manor,” he added. “We don’t need any charity.”
And there it was. Gavin saw what Holly couldn’t.
Jasper was on the cusp of manhood, and yet he had no idea how to behave like a man. It was a confusing time in a boy’s life, especially when he didn’t have anyone to look up to model some of his behaviors. Some men fared well alone without any examples, but most people needed, or at least benefited from, having someone to emulate.
“Our marriage wasn’t charity, Jasper,” Gavin said slowly, careful not to upset the young man further. “It was a surprise, I’ll give you that.” He glanced at Holly. “My uncle was Holly’s friend and genuinely wished to care for her after he died.”
“Well, we don’t need it,” Jasper bit out. “If Holly would have just let me handle it, she wouldn’t be in this mess.”
“Handle what?” she asked, exasperated. “You’re in school, Jasper. You don’t have any resources or skills—”
“I have ideas! I could have made sure neither you nor Katrina would have to be forced to marry someone you don’t know,” Jasper argued, giving Gavin a distasteful glare.
“You’re a boy—”
“I’m a man!”
“Easy, easy, the both of you,” Gavin said, standing up. It was obvious that neither sibling would be able to get a handle on their emotions when both were firmly fixed on the notion that they were correct. Just then, an idea began to form in Gavin’s mind, and he turned, facing his brother-in-law. “Jasper, is there a reason you left Eton?”
A cloud came over the young man’s face.
“No.”
It was obviously a lie, but not one Gavin cared to dissect at the moment. He wished to speak privately with Jasper, if only because Gavin believed he would be more forthcoming if his sister wasn’t around.
“Will you be going back?”
“He certainly will,” Holly interjected, but Gavin held up his hand to let her brother speak.
For a moment, he didn’t answer but stared at Gavin with questioning eyes. It seemed he didn’t believe he was being asked a serious question, but after another moment, he relented and answered.
