Page 25 of Once Upon an Aggravatingly Heroic Kiss

Lady Edith chuckled. “I wouldn’t dream of it.”

At her words, he tensed involuntarily.

With her eyes upon his, Lady Edith stepped closer and accepted his arm. “I meant I wouldn’t dream of waiting for them…not of accepting you.”

Jasper swallowed, surprised how deeply her words affected him. “Good,” was all he said as they turned to trudge back up the path they had come. Still, in his head, her words continued to echo. She had not saidaccepting his armbutaccepting him. Did that mean anything? If he were to…propose, would she accept him?

As they walked on in silence, Jasper realized he ought to simply speak his mind. He ought to ask her and see his questions answered. And yet he did not.

What if she said no?

It was that question that echoed through his mind predominantly. Always had Jasper thought that if he ever were to propose, he would be certain of the lady’s answer. With Lady Edith, however, he was not certain of anything.

A scoff almost came over his lips at the irony of his words. Indeed, had he not wished for an unpredictable woman? A lady who would keep him on his toes? Surprise him at every turn?

Indeed, fool that he was, he had.

Once back in the castle, the yule log was placed in the large hearth in the great hall while servants offered hot beverages to Lord Cumberton’s guests. “I feel like an icicle,” Lady Edith murmured with a slight tremble to her words as she wrapped her hands around her hot cup, breathing in the steam.

Jasper returned her teasing smile; although, he could not say that he felt the same. Far from it. Never had he felt warmer, heat almost burning beneath his skin. It was her doing, was it not? Simply being here in her presence did this to him. He could feel it every time he caught a glimpse of her, her voice drifting to his ears and those blue eyes of hers looking up into his.

She was the one! And as that thought echoed through Jasper’s being, he knew he could not wait. He could not risk losing her. He needed to act.

Now!

“Lady Edith,” Jasper began as he turned to her, his eyes finding hers, “I wish to speak with you. I—”

“Edie!” came a hushed voice a moment before Lady Adele appeared beside them. Her face was flushed, and although her eyes glowed with joy, the lines of her face seemed tense.

“Are you all right?” Lady Edith exclaimed, passing her cup to Jasper. “Is something wrong?”

Belatedly realizing that they weren’t alone, Lady Adele cast a careful glance at Jasper.

“Would you excuse us, my lord?” Lady Edith asked him with a smile. “I promise I shall return as quickly as I can,” she paused, and a shockingly knowing look came to her face, “and then you can ask your question.” The smile upon her face made him believe that although he could not read her thoughts, she knew his without the shadow of a doubt.

In the next moment, the two ladies disappeared to the other side of the hall, whispered words passing between them, as Jasper remained where he was, still shocked to the core by the only woman who had ever managed that feat.

Chapter Fifteen

IN LOVE

“He asked me to marry him!” Adele exclaimed in an excited whisper. “Mr. MacKinnear, he…he…” She swallowed, tripping over her words. “What do I do? What do I—?” Her gaze flitted across the hall to the man who had conquered her heart before darting to its other end to the man who would claim her hand.

Edith wanted to sing with joy! This was it! As much as she longed to return to Lord Whickerton, she needed to secure her friend’s future first.

A quick sideways glance confirmed that Lord Aberley was still deep in conversation with Lady Mary, and so Edith grasped Adele’s fluttering hands. “Calm yourself or you’ll faint,” she urged her friend.

Closing her eyes, Adele inhaled a deep breath. Still, her knees looked ready to buckle.

“Now,” Edith began, meeting her friend’s gaze imploringly, “go and fetch your parents to the upstairs parlor.”

Adele frowned. “Why?”

“I cannot explain now,” Edith replied, squeezing Adele’s hands. “Do you trust me?”

Inhaling another deep breath, Adele nodded.

“Then go! Now!”

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