She smiled, pleased with how protective of her he was. “I will not come here again. I do not like being regarded thusly, but I have fulfilled my wish.”
“Excellent.” He kissed her, then began to stroke her body all over again, reigniting the passionate embers with her.
It was past four in the morning when Jasper helped her dress. “Do you think London will talk about us in the morning?” she asked as he rolled a stocking up her leg, while she untangled her hair with her fingers.
“Believe me, darling, society has found a new obsession.” He looked up at her. “They will not let you go now.”
She grinned. “It is unfortunate that I will not wear this mask again.”
“Do not be too certain about that,” he murmured. “I am not letting you or Comtesse De Villepin leave me.”
Her heart raced at the pronouncement, even though she was yet to discern his meaning. That hope she had been trying to smother was maturing, and it frightened her.
Chapter 18
Comtesse Jacqueline De Villepin. That is the name the mysterious lady identified with. Like the Rogue she kept company, she wore a mask that no one dared to question. She has also managed to turn every gentleman’s brain into mush, both those who encountered her and those absent. Her name is the only word on their lips, and their wives, fiancées, and ladies are beginning to wag their tongues in protest.
It was almost dawn when Jasper returned to the manor. He had kissed Natalie for a wonderful half hour in the carriage when they stopped at her house, and now he was quite bereft without her.
He was pleased, however—more than he had been in a long while. He quietly hummed to himself as he moved through the manor, and when he reached his bedchamber, he removed his coat and boots before flopping onto the bed and sleeping.
His body had not felt this manner of bliss in years, and he slept through most of the morning. When he was awake, Smith brought his breakfast up to his chambers.
At noon, he went to one of the drawing rooms to find Phoebe, and when he walked in, stifling a yawn, his aunt gave him a look.
"What seems to have robbed you of sleep?" She quirked a dubious brow.
"Business," Jasper lied shamelessly, the image of Natalie’s glorious body playing in his thoughts.
"I see," Phoebe said. She was thankfully distracted by the gossip sheet she was scanning through, otherwise, he was certain that she would press him for answers. "Society is still talking about your dance with Lady Natalie.” She handed him the gossip sheet. "It is too cold to walk in the park, but you could ride along Rotten Row with her for a short while. It is unfortunate that this is not the season of romance."
Jasper bit back a smile. This was the exact season for romance. Alas, it was not for him. Asking Natalie to the park would only give her the wrong message and further fuel society's gossip. Their secret arrangement was quite enough, and he had found a measure of peace through it. In her company, he forgot his impending demise.
However, Jasper found a part of him wondering if it truly was enough. He quickly schooled his thoughts when he realized the dangerous direction they were headed, and he read The Londoner. It was talking about Comtesse De Villepin and the Masked Rogue.
“I do not see my name and Lady Natalie’s,” he said.
“Oh, it is the final paragraph. The Rogue and his mistress might have stolen all the attention, but society did not forget about you.” His aunt grinned, and her blue eyes sparkled.
Now, in spite of this new development, we would like to remind you of courtship expectations that are building. Many believe the Duke of Amsthorne is finally seeking a wife, and he might have found it in dear Lady Natalie Reeves. Should we expect a wedding this winter?
An idea suddenly came to Jasper as he read that last paragraph. It was one bound to quiet his aunt and have her leave him be with regard to matchmaking. "Aunt Phoebe, what do you think about hosting a soiree? Right here in the manor. Lady Natalie and her family shall be the first to receive our invitation, of course."
"Excellent!" His aunt gave a delighted clap of her hands. "I shall see to the preparations at once." She hopped off her seat and walked out of the room, calling the butler, Wayne.
Jasper anticipated seeing Natalie again, and a soiree seemed like a perfect excuse. He was in search of a lot of those lately, he realized. He was doing everything to see her.
Natalie opened her eyes to Hannah staring back at her. She bolted upright and clutched the duvet to her chest, but then she remembered that she was clothed. Her cheeks colored with the memory of last night’s events.
"It took you long to wake up," Hannah whispered.
"Never say you were waiting for me to wake up so that you may question me about last night," Natalie yawned.
"You are fortunate I did not wake you up,” her cousin grinned. “I deserve compensation for my patience." She sat on the bed and regarded Natalie with large, curious eyes.
“You will be rewarded by the Divine for your patience, not me,” she giggled.
"So, what happened last night?"
