Jasper mumbled an apology before asking, "What gives you the notion that it is a woman?" Jasper had asked that to stall his answer.
"Only two things make a man look as utterly defeated as you do now." Oliver wiped his brow with his shirt sleeve and raised a hand, counting. "Money and women. Last I looked, you have more wealth than you know what to do with. So, that leaves us with the latter. Who is she?”
Jasper heaved a sigh before he told him about Natalie, leaving out her list. Oliver regarded Jasper with a curious glint in his eyes as he spoke about her. In fact, his friend had a sudden look of expectancy that Jasper could not understand.
"Do you intend to court her?" Oliver asked. When Jasper gave no answer, Oliver mused, "Well, perhaps she is not the right woman for you."
Jasper had always appreciated Oliver's opinions and advice, and he had to admit to himself that he might be right. However, he was greatly conflicted. Where Phoebe had advised him not to give up on his heart and happiness, Oliver had countered that now. He did not know what to do anymore.
Jasper sat and allowed his head to hang. It ached from all the liquor he had drunk but he barely felt it amidst the chaos in his soul. He loved Natalie. He inhaled sharply because the discovery was powerful enough to knock him off his feet had he been standing.
The most surprising thing of all was how he wanted her to keep the heart he had given her, despite the ills she harbored against him.
Chapter 31
Ah, we see what has been done! The ever-elusive lovers had many women dressing as the Comtesse to hide the real one. Never you mind, London, we have better news today. The Duke of Amsthorne shall be hosting a grand winter ball to celebrate his birthday. Every person of consequence is invited. Now we know what you all are thinking, and we shall keep our eyes on the matter for you. This may be the final chance.
Natalie had not been able to stop thinking about the coldness she had perceived from Jasper when she woke from her short slumber in his manor. Had she perhaps imagined it? Or was she merely feeding her fear that should not be fed? She hoped it was the former.
After a fortunately uneventful dinner, George sat in the drawing room with Natalie and Hannah. “I made the acquaintance of merchants and gentlemen interested in investing in the factory,” he told them. “It is to enable me to buy some of the portion of the business that Oliver controls. Unfortunately, they have lost interest in the endeavor.”
"All of them?" Hannah asked, shifting uncomfortably in her seat.
"Not a single one remains," George responded ruefully. “I proposed another venture, and they turned it down too.” He shook his head. “I cannot understand how they can claim interest and then change.”
Natalie found it odd that they all withdrew at once. She recalled Oliver's threats, and could not help the suspicion that flooded her thoughts. “Do you think that Oliver might have discouraged them without you knowing?” she shared.
“It could be,” Hannah agreed. “George, you have to find out.” She was still being courted by Wessberg, thankfully, and they were all expecting him to offer before Oliver moved against them again.
Natalie agreed to this before asking George if he had received any word from the solicitor regarding Oliver's claims on their house.
"No, I have not heard anything from him. I," George sighed. “I will be patient.”
Every day, their hopes were forced to decline, and the darkness they faced seemed unending. Natalie only prayed that they would have something left of them when all this was over.
George stood. “I will be in my study.”
When they were alone, Hannah moved to sit beside Natalie. “You do not look well. What is the matter?” Natalie started denying but her cousin cut her off with, “Your eyes are glazed over and you look very pale. You have been like this all day.”
“It is nothing, Hannah,” Natalie lied. “I am only this way because of all that is happening.”
"I do not believe that, Natalie,” Hannah insisted. “I know when something is wrong. Iknowyou."
"Well..." Natalie sighed, but she was still unable to tell Hannah what bothered her because she was unsure of what exactly it was.
"Did you perhaps quarrel with Amsthorne?" Hannah asked, and Natalie did not know how to answer without sounding ridiculous. That there had been no quarrel, only that Jasper suddenly seemed withdrawn after sharing a passionate night with her?
He usually told her, when saying farewell, that he would see her again, but he made no such pronouncement this morning. No word came from him today, and she was forced to wonder if he regretted their time together.
The thought twisted her heart, and she forced down the rising lump in her throat.
"Oh, you did have a disagreement," Hannah observed ruefully.
"It is nothing of consequence, Hannah," Natalie reassured for lack of more reasonable words to put in.
Hannah wrapped an arm around her, and Natalie swallowed, her emotions churning. "I tell you this as a writer whose one of many intrinsic qualities is keen observation," Hannah said. "Amsthorne cares for you. I have witnessed enough of your exchanges to be certain of this, Natalie.”
"Thank you, Hannah." Natalie rested her head on her cousin’s shoulder, appreciating the comfort.
