“It will,” Jasper said pleasantly.
Greyson groaned as the carriage came to a halt. They exited the carriage and walked inside, straight toward Jasper’s study. Inside, the men had already made themselves comfortable. Mason sprawled comfortably near the fire, and Robert was seated with a glass of brandy and the expression of a man who had anticipated this entire debacle.
Then, Jasper clapped his hands together with enthusiasm.
“Gentlemen,” he announced, “thank you for answering my summons. We are gathered here today to save a marriage.”
Robert lifted his glass in mild salute. “I wondered how long it would take.”
Mason glanced up lazily. “I assumed someone had finally dueled Greyson and lost.”
Greyson scowled. “I am standing right here, you know.”
“Yes,” Jasper said brightly, “but emotionally you are dangling over a cliff, so do try to keep up.”
Greyson pinched the bridge of his nose. “I already regret this.”
“Too late,” Jasper replied, ushering him toward a chair. “Sit. Brood.Participate.”
Greyson sat, stiff-backed and unamused.
Jasper began pacing. “Now, the situation is thus: Hazel has removed herself, believes the marriage to be one of convenience, and is protecting her heart with admirable but infuriating resolve.”
Robert nodded thoughtfully. “Classic misunderstanding.”
Mason leaned back. “You could speak to her.”
Greyson shot him a look. “I have tried.”
“Yes, well,” Jasper said dismissively, “we are past rational conversation.”
Robert raised a brow. “We are?”
“Entirely,” Jasper declared. “This is love. Love does not respond to logic. It responds to spectacle.”
Greyson’s head snapped up. “No.”
“I propose,” Jasper continued undeterred, “a grand gesture.”
Mason frowned. “Define grand.”
“Oh, I have several ideas,” Jasper said cheerfully. “He could arrive at Belvington with flowers.”
Greyson relaxed a fraction. “That is not?—”
“—while soaked in the rain,” Jasper added.
Greyson stiffened again.
“Or,” Jasper went on, warming to the task, “he could stand beneath her window and recite poetry.”
Mason winced. “Please don’t.”
Robert chuckled. “You’ve never recited poetry in your life, Greyson. She would know something was amiss immediately.”
Jasper snapped his fingers. “Yes! That’s perfect. It would be utterly unpredictable.”
“I will not embarrass her,” Greyson said firmly.
