Nathaniel sank into a chair. "You believe she's trying to trap you?"
"Without question. Young ladies have tried before, Father. And Charlotte..." He looked Jasper in the eye "You know how she is. You've heard how she speaks to others... even to Abigail — the snide remarks, the backhanded compliments. You even asked why Abigail keeps such a 'friend' when her words are so cruel."
Jasper's lips parted as memories surfaced — Charlotte's biting comment about Abigail's 'lack of polish,' her thinly veiled insults masked as concern. The pieces slid into place with an awful clarity.
"I had to ask," Jasper said quietly, after a long pause. "I needed to hear it from you."
Philip's voice cooled. "You've known me for years, Jasper. I would never seduce a woman in secret and then abandon her—least of all your sister. I have too much respect for you to ever consider such a thing. I understand why you felt the need to ask... but I need you to believe me."
Jasper gave a slow nod. "I do. Forgive me."
He stood. "I'll see myself out."
***
Later, having returned to Roselawn Manor, Jasper passed the drawing room. Charlotte looked up from the settee, her handstill resting on her lower abdomen, hope flickering in her voice. "Well? When do we begin making plans?"
Jasper continued walking without pause, heading for the stairs.
Frowning, Charlotte rose and followed after him, her skirts whispering across the floor.
"Jasper?" she called softly as he placed a hand on the banister.
He paused on the first step.
"Philip denies everything. And I believe him. He has witnesses — I'm certain if I asked the Earl of Blackwell, he would confirm that Philip spent most of his time while at Bromwell House with Sophia and the Earl himself. And Philip never mentioned anything to his father about ending the engagement. What else am I supposed to think?"
Charlotte blinked. "You believehim? Over your own sister?"
"I think," Jasper said carefully, "that you're mistaken. Or... you've convinced yourself of something that never truly was. I don't know which. But this fantasy ends here."
Her voice trembled with rising fury. "You think I'mlying?"
"I think you're unhappy," he replied quietly. "And I am sorry for that. But you will not ruin a man's future because of your bitterness. Nor will I allow you to sabotage mine."
He looked at her — not with anger, but pity. "There will be another season. You'll have another chance. But not like this."
Then he turned and ascended the stairs, leaving her standing alone, hand pressed to her chest, the silence behind him heavy as stone.
Chapter Nine
Charlotte fumed.
How dare Jasper — her own brother — think so low of her? To believe that she would lie about something so important, so scandalous? The insult simmered beneath her skin.
Yes, she was lying. Technically. But her lies were for her own good. And Jasper, as Duke and head of the family, was supposed to look out for that. For her.
And Philip? He was the best thing for her. He just didn't realize it yet.
No, she hadn't told the truth — but what girlhadn'tshaded it, shed a tear, hinted at liberties taken, just to get a man to do what was right? Most marriages among the ton weren't built on love. They were built on alliances, timing, and yes, a fib or two. A well-placed rumor, and a wedding followed. Philip would come to see that she had done them both a favor.
And if he didn't?
Well, she would still have what she wanted. She would be happy — and that was what mattered.
But now she would have to raise the stakes.
Jasper's wedding to Abigail was only days away. Her entire household buzzed with excitement. And Abigail — as if on air — floated about blissful and glowing, while Jasper smiled more easily than Charlotte had seen in years. It was all so nauseating.
