The solicitor, Mr. Moore, walked in with his bag underneath his arm. He had done everything that Jasper requested but he never asked him why he was arranging his will, and even if he did, Jasper would not answer.
“I wish to add another name to the bequest list,” Jasper said, sliding the papers across the desk to Moore.
The solicitor’s eyes gleamed with curiosity, and he retrieved the list from the sheets he was handed. “May I have the name, Your Grace?”
“Lady Natalie Reeves.” Jasper’s heart twisted as he said her name. He had endeavored not to think about them parting, but he would have to face it at some point.
He wanted to depart knowing that she would want for nothing. It should give him some peace, at least. Jasper gave Moore instructions on what he wished for Natalie to have before he moved to the next matter he had called him for.
"I want to make an offer for the Earl of Clifford’s townhouse. I heard he intends to sell it.”
“Yes, that is the word about town, Your Grace.” Moore scribbled onto a sheet. “Do you wish to inspect the property before offering?”
“Sight unseen,” Jasper murmured. His breath was halting again, and he suspected that the thought of leaving Natalie was doing this to him. “I do not want the Earl to know who is purchasing the house. Use one of my businesses to carry out the transaction.”
“It will be done, Your Grace. Would you like to negotiate a sum?”
Jasper shook his head. “I will make a very generous offer, and if he demands a greater sum, which is unlikely, it will be paid.” He was sure that Clifford would not refuse the offer, considering the state of his affairs.
Upon winning against him at White’s, several gentlemen had been interested in both gambling with Clifford and doing business with him, but that interest appeared to have waned very quickly, and Jasper found it curious. He would have to search for the reason, he decided.
That evening, Phoebe served herself a generous amount of brandy instead of the sherry she preferred to have after meals, and Jasper’s eyebrows knit from his seat by the hearth. His aunt had been quiet throughout dinner, and her choice of beverage now added to Jasper's growing concern.
He left his chair to sit beside her on the sofa. "Are you well, Aunt Phoebe?"
"Oh, how can I be well when you saw it fit to exclude me from your meeting?" she answered with a small sniff and a rise of her chin. Jasper's frown deepened in puzzlement, but before he could ask her to elaborate, she said, "A will, Jasper? I thought we have talked about this.Nothingis going to happen to you."
"You heard what I discussed with Mr. Moore," Jasper said flatly.
"I was passing your study, and I could not help listening when I heard you mention a will and a name you wanted to include," Phoebe confessed. "People revise their wills often. This much I understand, but knowing the reason you are doing this pains me." Her eyes gleamed with emotion that shot into his heart like a bullet.
"I like to be prepared, Aunty," Jasper said softly. “Father and Grandfather were not. I suppose I am fortunate to have this chance.”
"What are you preparing for? Death?" Phoebe asked impatiently. "One thing about death is that it never comes when one expects it," she added, her eyes shining with barely restrained tears.
Jasper wrapped an arm around his aunt and drew her close. "I am sorry, Aunt Phoebe. I know you want me to believe that this is not the end for me, and I truly wish that I could.”
She released a shy breath and pulled away, surprising him when an unnaturally bright smile appeared on her face. She was denying what he had said, he knew, but he allowed her the liberty to have some cheer even if it was a false one. “I have decided to have garlands made of silk vines to decorate the ballroom. What do you think?”
Jasper smiled ruefully and kissed her cheek. “It is perfect.” He knew she was anything but herself, and guilt scraped his insides for upsetting her. To make amends, he indulged her wishes for his ball. “Have you finished planning the refreshments?” he asked.
“Not yet. I wanted to ask you if you would prefer salmon and cheese on the canapés or cheese and cucumber?”
Jasper chuckled. “Why not both?”
“Yes, but you are not fond of cucumbers.”
“Some of the guests are.”
“I suppose you are correct. We will have every variation of the canapés Cook is capable of preparing.” Her smile softened. “I am hoping that Lord Clifford,Lady Natalie, and Miss Reeves will attend.”
Her emphasis and pause on Natalie’s name did not escape his notice, and he allowed himself an inward smile.
“Do you not hope they will attend?” she asked, blinking expectantly.
“I am confident they will,” he replied, noticing that her brandy was untouched.
“Splendid!”
