“I was wondering if I might have a word with you.” She wore a serene expression. Rare composure for one so young. No wonder her father expected her to be a duchess; she had the demeanor of one already. And yet, Jasper knew there was no way in hell this woman felt as calm and peaceful as she appeared. Her mouth tipped up at the corners but it wasn’t quite a smile. And the hint of panic in her eyes gave away that she was not unaffected by having upended her entire life a few hours earlier.
And yet, she was…
Stunning.
Her hair had been dried, braided, and pinned coronet-like atop her head—Mrs. Charles’ doing, no doubt—and her gown had been cleaned and repaired as well.
She almost looked like a blushing bride.
Dewberry must be livid.
“Please sit down.” Jasper found himself happy to be interrupted. While she might be an unwanted distraction, and troublesome, she was exceptionally pleasant to look at.
And watching her hand shake as she brushed back a wayward hair, a familiar and yet unusual sensation tugged at him.
Debutantes, specifically those who were dukes’ daughters, oughtn’t to affect his baser instincts to this extent. Widows, certainly. Courtesans, intentionally. Debutantes, never.
“I’ve put you in a difficult predicament, and I thank you, my lord, for your assistance earlier today. I have never been so grateful as I was when you didn’t hand me over to that mob. I realize it sounds dramatic, but I do feel as though you saved me from a fate worse than death.”
Back straight, knees together, she kept her gaze focused on her hands most of the time, not glancing up until she was finished speaking.
Dash it all. It wasn’t every day that a lovely lady considered him a hero. And when she stared at him with those brilliant cobalt eyes of hers, his thoughts all but scrambled.
“It was nothing.” He shrugged. And then he remembered. It was not nothing. And every minute she spent here increased the risk of trouble. He trusted his servants, for the most part, but it was possible any one of them could have realized her true identity and sold the information.
“It was not nothing.” Her words echoed his own thoughts. “I know my father, and he’ll not take this lightly. He will find me, and when he does, he will cause you trouble.” She grimaced. “Mrs. Charles suggests that I return home, beg forgiveness, and take my medicine.”
An almost unnoticeable tremor caught her last word.
“Will he punish you?” The Duke of Crossings could be ruthless in business, but would he not show compassion for his own daughter?
The lovely young woman sitting across from him remained silent.
And that was all the answer he required. He shifted with a grimace. How dismal a woman’s lot must be! To be utterly dependent on men. The thought almost had him feeling pity for his stepmother.
Almost.
“I’d offer you use of my country estate, but it’s presently occupied.” And Lavinia would sell her out without a second thought.
Lady Gardenia tilted her head.
For no logical reason, he explained in as simple terms as possible. “My stepmother isn’t ready to move into the dower house just yet.”
Five years had passed now. Blasted Lavinia had spent more time there as his father’s widow than she had as his wife.
Lady Gardenia’s mouth parted, and she nodded as though she understood. “It doesn’t matter. I couldn’t possibly impose, anyhow.” She bit her lip. “I suppose it’s for the best.”
But he could see her composure crumbling. She truly feared whatever punishment her father had waiting for her.
And yet, Jasper doubted that any punishment her father imposed would be as bad as her other options. Living on the streets would be worse, by far. And working at the Emporium, although slightly better, wasn’t for innocents such as her.
He refused to entertain Helton’s third suggestion.
Her father would possibly redden her bottom, cut off her allowance, and send her to the country. The man would have to be a monster to force her to marry Dewberry after the lengths she’d gone to to avoid just that.
She licked her lips, and Jasper’s gaze lingered on her mouth.
If Jasper didn’t have responsibilities here, he could escort her to the Continent and track down Standish and her sister.
