He cleared his throat. “I heard what happened to Aunt Celia. Awful. How is the poor old girl today?”
“Still weak and nauseous, and wheezing a bit, but better.”
Eyes distant, Jasper frowned. “Such a bad idea bringing lobster into the house. But Jude has always been the favored one here. Anything for him.”
Anne recognized the vulnerability beneath Jasper’s acerbic words but decided not to poke at the wound. Instead she asked, “Anything else your aunt cannot tolerate? I’m embarrassed to say I didn’t think to ask Dr. Marsland before now. And your aunt was in no fit state to answer questions after her ... episode.”
“All shellfish I believe, not just lobster. Beyond that, nothing springs to mind. No foods anyway. Although I believe she has had bad reactions to bee-stings as well. One of the reasons she does not spend a great deal of time out of doors, I imagine.”
Still sniffing the ground, Louie gripped a stick between his teeth. Anne bent and tugged at it playfully. The dog held on, tilting his head side to side, clearly enjoying the game.
“Louie, drop!” Jasper commanded.
Startled, the little dog obeyed. Setting down his fishing gear, Jasper bent and retrieved the stick, tossing it far away.
The dog ran after it across the grass, pulling the lead from Anne’s grasp. “I’m supposed to keep him on a lead.”
“I’ll take the blame if my aunt complains.”
The dog came back a short while later, stick in his mouth and burrs in his hair.
“Oh no.” Anne lowered herself and began pulling them free. Jasper sank to his haunches to assist her.
The spaniel pressed close to lick Anne’s cheek, and she rubbed his silky ears in reply.
“He is fond of you, isn’t he?”
“Seems to be.”
“I don’t blame him.” Jasper rose and reached down a hand to her. She accepted it, and he helped her to her feet.
For a moment they stood facing each other, her hand in his. When he kept hold of it, she looked up at him in question. She saw admiration in his hazel eyes, and fondness, and wistfulness too.
Surprise, pleasure, and discomfort flowed through Anne under his warm, direct gaze. He was attracted to her? That was new. And she wasn’t sure what to think about it. What in the world would she be getting into, marrying into such a family? No, wait—had she forgotten so quickly? She wasnotgetting married.
As if reading her mind, Jasper said, “I am surprised you have not yet married, as pretty and clever as you are.”
“Thank you,” she replied, striving to keep her voice light. “I am content as I am. Although my stepmother has done her valiant best to introduce me to every eligible man shy of sixty in Gloucestershire.”
He chuckled.
“She is expecting yet another child and made it clear I ought to move out to make room for their growing brood.”
“So that’s why you came here?”
Anne nodded. “Miss Lotty invited me to stay with her, and I longed to return. So many memories here. My grandparents, my mother, my father’s early years in practice...”
He raised his chin, gazing thoughtfully into the distance. “I did not know them well, but your parents and your grandparents seemed happy together. Both love matches, I take it?”
“Yes. And to be fair, my father and his second wife seem happy too.”
He bent, plucked a wildflower with his free hand, and twirled it in his fingers. “Unfortunately I do not have that luxury. Not many in my situation can afford to marry without some attention to money. Younger sons cannot often marry where they like.” He handed her the flower. A wild geranium blossom, she realized. A symbol of friendship.
His message was clear. He admired her. Yet he must marry someone with money. And that someone was not her.
“I understand,” Anne said. “And I am glad we are friends.”
“I am too.” He gave her a rueful grin. “Though it’s a pity you’re not an heiress.”
