Jasper pushed a hand through his hair, trying to figure out what he could tell Madelina to convince her that he’d done nothing untoward.
“If, and I do meanif,” Madelina said, words crisp, “I permit you to court me, I can only assume your goal is an honorably wedded state, not some sort of dalliance.”
He opened his mouth to reassure her, but she continued before he could.
“And if we ever entered into such a wedded state, do you mean for me to understand that you will meet mysterious women at museums and not provide me with details of your interactions with them?”
That stymied him. If he married a gently bred woman like Madelina, what would she think of The Black Aspen? Would she understand that he and Clementine gave a safe place to women who enjoyed their profession, and assisted those to leave who’d come to it unwillingly?
“If we were to wed,” he couldn’t keep sorrow from his voice, for he doubted they would, “it would be with the understanding that I will not, cannot, alter my business.”
“And that business includes Miss White, the mistress you tell me you’ve given up?”
Jasper grimaced. “Yes. We manage my business together, and my charity. Miss White is invaluable to me.” He met Madelina’s gaze squarely, his own pleading. How could he make her see that from the moment he set eyes on her, there was no one, could be no one, but her? “Would you really ask me to break our business ties, as well? Miss White helps me do good in this world.”
Madelina glared at him, her eyes nearly level with his. “I saw Miss White at the museum. I find it beyond me to accept her presence as a coincidence. She obviously intended to meet you.”
Ahh. He would be equally incensed if she’d sworn off seeing a man and then met with him moments later. But why she thought she’d seen Clementine, he didn’t know. “You saw the veiled women and assumed one to be Miss White.” He shook his head. “Neither was. The one lady was the person with whom I required a discreet meeting. The other, her companion.”
Madelina shook her head. A light, honeysuckle scent reached his nostrils. “I passed them,” she said. “Then I saw Miss White.”
Of all the rotten luck. Had Clementine indeed been looking for him? He’d left a note telling her where he’d gone, but he hadn’t seen her at the museum. She hadn’t been at the Aspen when he returned, either. “Perhaps she sought me on a matter of business.” He shrugged. “If so, she did not find me and must have resolved the issue, for she hasn’t mentioned going to the museum.”
“So, you have seen her since telling me she is no longer your mistress.”
“I have not, but I will, and I must,” he snapped. “Can you not extend me a fraction of trust? Look into my eyes and see the truth when I say I want only you. If not for our business ties, Miss White and I would have parted ways long ago. I do not love her, but I do need her. I cannot see anything more to do about that than to tell you so.”
Madelina shook her head. “I’m not certain Miss White is who you believe her to be.”
“How do you mean?”
Pink crept up her long, slender neck again. “I’ve had you followed. Some reports of how Miss White treats the…the young women of your employ are disturbing.” Madelina clamped plush lips closed, gaze dropping to the garish red and gold carpet.
Pleasure shot through Jasper. “You had me followed?” For all her anger, her coolness, her constant questioning of his sincerity, she’d had him followed. Nothing could better declare her interest. “So you could arrange to meet me? You are the one who was not at the museum by coincidence, Lady Madelina.”
Red flooded her cheeks. Her expression suffused with chagrin.
Jasper chuckled. “Your poor man, loitering in the streets so he could report my movements to you. One of the buildings near my residence rents the upper floor rooms. I believe they have a vacancy. You could secure it, so your staff can spy on me in comfort.”
“We shall bear that in mind,” Miss Saint Lawrence said, behind him.
He refused to give in to the impulse to swivel to face her, though her presence took him by surprise. How could someone who walked with a cane reach the doorway unheard?
He pivoted slowly to address them both. “I think, before you judge Miss White or me too harshly, you should see what it is we do. I should like to call round and take you to inspect our charity.” He dipped his head to Madelina. “Your brother has contributed considerable funds to our endeavor.”
Madelina bit her lower lip, expression conflicted. His hand twitched with the desire to cup her chin, to smooth his thumb along her lip. Worry was not what that lush mouth was made for.
“We accept that offer, Mister Mclintock,” Miss Saint Lawrence said. “We shall send word as to an afternoon that suits us. Don’t worry, we know where to find you.”
Jasper heard the dismissal in Miss Saint Lawrence’s tone. Striding closer, he caught Madelina’s hand and bowed over it. He didn’t miss the slight tremble, or the heat still flushing her face. He could only hope both were good signs for his cause.
Releasing her, he turned to bow to Miss Saint Lawrence. “I shall eagerly await your summons.”
“Shall you?” she asked, expression inscrutable. “Well then, to spare you anxiety, know that they will not come tomorrow, nor the following day. Madelina and I have plans.”
Jasper longed to know what plans would prevent them from joining him, and if he could join them, but Miss Saint Lawrence’s tone forbade questions. He turned back to Madelina, hoping she might speak, but her lips remained clamped. Feeling thoroughly dismissed, Jasper offered a final bow and departed the room. On his way past Miss Saint Lawrence, he couldn’t help but notice she didn’t hold a book. He wondered if she’d ever moved more than a step beyond the doorway.
Chapter Nine
