Page 8 of Dangerous Games of a Broken Lady
With that, Reuben instructed the driver to move off. Ephraim stepped back onto the pavement as the carriage rattled away. For a man who had just received good news, he did not look too pleased. A worried frown corrugated his forehead.
Jasper had a feeling he knew why, though he did not feel it was his place to interfere. Where Lord Leeds was concerned, Jasper did as he was told. A favor here and there for a family friend. No more, no less.
As soon as the carriage had disappeared around the corner, Jasper hurried across the road and leapt up the front steps to the Colborne residence. He caught Ephraim before the door closed.
“Jasper?” Ephraim looked even more puzzled. “Did we have a meeting arranged?”
“No, nothing of the sort, My Lord. I thought I might call upon Lady Adelaide if she is home?” He stumbled over his attempt at nonchalance. “Only, I had the good fortune to hear about her excellent news, and I wish to congratulate her. One friend to another.”
Ephraim’s features softened. “Oh… then you will find her in the gardens.”
“Thank you, My Lord.” He made to move past the Earl and head in the direction of the townhouse gardens, when the Earl reached out suddenly. He snatched for Jasper’s wrist, pulling him back.
“Speaking of our meetings, might you find yourself available tomorrow afternoon? Around three o’clock, if it is of no trouble to you? There are several things that I wish to discuss. Things that will likely require your discreet assistance.”
Jasper offered a comforting smile. “Of course, My Lord. I shall avail myself to you whenever you require. Three o’clock should be just fine.”
“Thank you, Jasper. You cannot understand how grateful I am for your continued assistance.”
“You are as family to me. You may always rely on my aid.”
“Thank you again…” Ephraim trailed off, a sad note to his voice. Jasper did not envy the position that the Earl of Leeds had found himself in, but he was determined to do all he could to help. After all, they had always been generous with his family. Be it money or material means, the Colbornes had always offered help when asked. He was simply returning the favor.
Wishing he had something more comforting to say, Jasper turned and headed for the gardens. His heart felt far heavier than it had a moment ago.
Letting himself out through the French doors at the back of the main drawing room, Jasper paused on the steps leading down to the immaculate lawn. The length and breadth of the grounds was identical to his own, neighboring home. However, the Colbornes had done far more with their gardens than the Fitzwilliams ever planned to. His mother thought it a waste of time, considering they only spent a few months of the year there. Still, he enjoyed the delicate blooms of winter flora that sprouted in the flower beds, and the hanging fronds of the willow tree at the farthest end.
It was here, beneath the shade of the willow, that he knew he’d find Lady Adelaide. It had always been her favorite spot. In her younger years, after particularly tempestuous arguments, she’d hide away beneath the fronds. He didn’t see the appeal, personally, but he knew he’d discover her there. Pulling his collar higher to keep out the frosty breeze, he made his way across the grass. The blades crunched beneath his boots, each one dusted with a thin layer of ice.
“I was wondering when you might appear,” Adelaide remarked tartly, as Jasper parted the curtain of foliage and stepped into the secret world within.
“Then you must know why I have come,” he replied. She sat on a wrought-iron bench by the gnarled tree trunk. It looked as though she’d been crying.
“To taunt me, perhaps?”
He shook his head. “I have come only in the pursuit of your happiness, Adelaide. You see, I cannot believe that a man like the Duke of Bradford is the sort you ought to be marrying.” He dispensed with formality, as they often did when alone.
“He is a Duke, is he not? He is of good standing and good name. He owns many excellent properties and he has a considerable annual income. Why should he not be as suitable as any other man, if not more so?”
“I believe you already know why,” Jasper said softly, sitting beside her. “He is a rogue. He can bring you nothing but fear and misery. I am certain that you know it to be true, deep in your heart.”
“I do not know what you mean,” she replied defiantly. “I find him intriguing. He does not scare me. What others might see as roguish behavior, I see as an exciting prospect. He is not like other gentlemen, as I am not like other ladies.”
“Adelaide, there is a stark difference between you two. You might be mischievous and peculiar, and often troublesome, but he is… well, he is cruel and lecherous.” Jasper sighed, not knowing how much he ought to say. “There are tales of him, my dear friend. I would not see you associated with such a man.”
“Tales?” A tremor shivered through Adelaide’s voice.
“Tales too dark and terrible for me to utter aloud.”
“Perhaps, his ways have changed.”
“Maybe, but his tastes will not.”
“You think he may be disloyal?” she scoffed. “Disloyalty is a small price to pay for security.”
Jasper sighed in exasperation. “I think it is unlikely he knows how to be anything other than disloyal. He is the sort of gentleman who lives life by the beat of his own drum. He will never be brought to heel, and he will never submit to true fidelity.”
She smiled unexpectedly. “You think I am unaware of this?”
