Natalie smiled. The evening could not have gone better, despite the realization of her love and the hopelessness of it.
Jasper helped her get dressed before they left. Instead of returning her home, Natalie was surprised when he took them back to his manor. The household seemed to have retired, and they made their way quietly up the stairs, and through the dark hallways to a door.
When he opened it, she walked into a large suite that consisted of a bedchamber, a sitting room, and two other rooms.
"I recall you telling me about an item on your list. Would you like to complete it tonight?” Jasper asked as he locked the door and she shrugged out of her cloak.
“What item is that?” Natalie asked as she brought up a mental image of the list. She carried it with her in her reticule every day, and it served as a reminder for her to not allow anything to dampen her dreams.
She had found courage, and to lose it now would be asking to step in front of an oncoming carriage.
"You shall see," he responded before leading her into the bedchamber. Her eyes widened briefly as she took in the tastefully furnished room.
"Impressed?" He grinned.
"We are going toward it." She gave him a sly smile.
"Not yet? You wound me, Natalie," Jasper placed a hand on his chest. "Well, then perhaps this will get you there," he added as he retrieved a small wooden box from a table close to the hearth. It was intricately carved, and when he opened it, she gasped.
"Is that cheroot?" She gazed at the rows of cigars in the box. She had told him that smoking cheroot was on her list, and she thought he would have forgotten.
Now she knew what he was aiming for. The next on her list was to smoke cheroot and drink to her heart's content.
And smoke and drink they did. Because it was Natalie's first time smoking, she choked on her first few puffs and they had a good laugh about it before Jasper showed her how to do it properly. They made themselves comfortable on his bed afterward, and Jasper slung a protective arm around her, pulling her into the warmth of his body. She felt safe and hopeful. With this security, and the eventful night she'd had, came the overwhelming desire to rest her eyes.
As Jasper ran a soothing hand through her hair, she succumbed to her weariness.
Jasper watched Natalie slumber peacefully on his covers. He wanted her here with him, and simply regarding her brought a lot of warmth and tenderness to his heart. He wanted her with him forever, he realized, and his heart started beating faster.
He was surprised to discover this, but he was more pained. He was leaving her, but he could still treasure every moment he had with her. He could find some happiness in his last days, even if it would be an illusion. He sat up to remove his boots, which he never bothered to earlier, and his eyes found her reticule lying on the edge of the bed.
He picked it up and walked to a table, but as he made to set it down, the oddly shaped thing tilted, and a small piece of paper slipped out of it. He put down the reticule and reached for the paper. It was folded with the writing outside, but he thought nothing of it until a word caught his attention; scandalous dress.
Curious, he unfolded the sheet, and a broad smile illuminated his face when he found that it was Natalie’s list. They had completed nearly everything there, and he was happy that he had been able to do that for her. He laughed quietly when he saw her wish to swim in the serpentine.
He read,Be truly wanted. Loved.But before he could examine the remaining words, the final item on the list took his breath.Ruin Jasper’s reputation.
He stared at the words in shock, unable to believe his eyes. He tilted the paper, hoping he read it wrong. Every second that ticked was agonizing, and Jasper reread the words over and over, willing them to change.It cannot be…Natalie does not mean these words!
What cause would she have to ruin his reputation? Had everything between them been a lie to her? Alas, the words were bold and clear enough to give him his answer.
Chapter 30
One of the many Comtesse De Villepins about town lost her mask while performing on stage in the theater. The face of the actress, Agath McDermont, was not unexpected, but now we know who isnotthe Comtesse.
It wasn’t just the sense of betrayal that hit him—it was everything at once. Natalie was the only person he felt safe to confide in, to reveal his secret of who he truly was, something he wouldn’t dare do with anyone else. And yet, for all he knew, her motives were malicious from the start.
Ruin Jasper’s reputation.
Was that before or after she found out who he truly was? The identity of theMasked Rogue, that everyone wished to reveal? Was she one of those desperate reporters, in hope of exposing his identity? Or was there something else that she was after? The worst pain he had ever felt tore his heart to pieces, and Jasper took several breaths, thinking he could not bear it.
All this time, he was convinced that Natalie was different. Special. Her emotions appeared sincere, yet the words in her list indicated otherwise. He needed an explanation, but he couldn’t face her right now. He needed to be alone, to gather his thoughts in place and focus.
“Jasper?” Natalie called from the bed, and he turned stiffly to look at her. She moved her hand over the bed, looking for him. Her eyes were still closed, and he folded the list and slipped it back into her reticule before walking back to the bed.
He stood over her, suddenly numbed by what he had seen. Natalie opened her eyes and sat up, pushing her hair from her face and looking up at him. “What time is it?” she asked groggily.
Jasper tried to maintain an even demeanor as he glanced at the clock on his nightstand and said, “It is almost three. It is quite late.” He turned and started toward the door. “I will have a carriage readied for you.”
