Lady Willoughby had entered Tilde’s own chamber without knocking on more than one occasion. She’d also led Tilde to believe Jasper had plans to send the children and herself to Warwick Place so that they would be out of his way. Jasper had said he’d considered the idea initially but hadn’t pursued the plan.
Lady Willoughby most definitely was not to be trusted.
“I’ve left the girls alone with her.” Tilde raised her fist to her mouth. “As well as Peaches.”
“Do you think Lady Willoughby would harm them?” Betsy’s voice echoed her own fears.
Tilde’s stomach lurched at the thought. That woman would have no hesitancy harming an innocent animal… Or even the girls. Tilde replaced her tea on the tray and burst to her feet. “I need to go back.”
“You cannot go alone.” Betsy rose and removed the apron she wore over her simple muslin gown. “I’ll come with you.”
“And Crawford will go as well.” Nellie offered the services of her long-term butler, an elderly but nonetheless intimidating manservant. “I’ll have the coach brought around.”
But Tilde was already marching toward the door. “I can’t wait. What have I done?” With Betsy right behind her and her aunt signaling to Mr. Crawford, Tilde tore the door open wide and––
Charged directly into Jasper’s arms. He grasped her by the shoulders, to steady them both. His black eyes filled with a new level of intensity.
“Tilde,” he rasped her name.
“Miss Fortune! Miss Fortune!” Not only was Eloise jumping up and down, shouting her name in glee, but Althea was as well.
“Bark! Bark! Bark!” And Peaches joined in the melee. She was happy enough to see her mistress again after an entire afternoon of her absence.
But Tilde could not turn her attention to anyone but the man who’d pulled her up against him and seemed to have no intention of letting her go.
“What is all this commotion going on out here on my porch?” Aunt Nellie stood at the door. “Come inside before the neighbors begin making up stories.”
She shooed the girls in hastily and lifted Peaches off the ground into her arms. With a stern look in Jasper’s direction, she added, “If you two wish to speak alone, you are welcome to use the front parlor. But leave the door ajar, mind you.” And then she grasped Tilde by the arm and pulled her out of Lord Willoughby’s grasp.
Tilde was barely aware that Betsy had led the girls upstairs. Her aunt followed at a much slower pace, leaving Jasper alone with her in the foyer.
Reaching into her pocket, she pulled out the crumpled promissory note and held it out. “I won’t keep it.” She watched as his elegant hand took it from her.
His brows furrowed and then he was shaking his head.
“I gave this to my mother.” His gaze practically bore into hers. “I demanded that she withdraw immediately.”
Tilde wrapped her arms around herself. “She knew,” her voice came out barely a whisper, “that you spent the night in my chamber. Why would you tell her something like that?”
Jasper glanced around the foyer. “Will you lead me to this parlor your aunt has so generously offered for our use? Perhaps this is not the best conversation to have while anyone might overhear?”
Tilde supposed not, and yet––
“Why would you tell her?” She needed an answer first.
Jasper removed his hat and then ran one hand through his hair. He apparently realized he needed to provide an explanation before she’d consent to be alone with him again. “I did not tell her. She observed me leaving your chamber early. God, Tilde, I would never tell her––or anyone––something so personal, so private between the two of us.”
His voice begged for her understanding. For the first time in so many hours, the horror of the day’s events began to slip away.
She gestured toward the staircase. “It’s up here.”
Before she could take a step, though, Jasper had swept her into his arms and clasped her head beneath his chin. “I was going to wait, to ask you. I was going to try to set matters to right. My mother is the monster, Tilde. She is the monster lady in the girl’s dreams. Eloise says that she never struck either of them, but I’m terrified to allow her in their lives. I was planning to send her away. And then I plan on marrying you and taking you and the girls back to Warwick Place. I wanted to plan all of this out but when I arrived home, you were gone.”
His words spilled out of him as though he was afraid she’d evaporate at any moment.
“And then Thea talked! She told me my mother had sent you away, that my mother had told you it was what I wished. And I was afraid you would not forgive me. I’ve made so many mistakes through the years. I couldn’t wait another second to set the record straight.”
But Tilde had pulled away. When she looked into his eyes, she saw all the emotions she’d been feeling for him reflected back at her. Lifting one hand, she silenced him with a gentle touch to his lips. “You plan on marrying me?” she spoke the words in awe.
