It didn’t stop her, however, from reaching into the bosom of her dress, withdrawing her handkerchief, and scenting it with a few droplets of the cologne.
She brought the handkerchief to her nose and inhaled. No, not quite.
Perhaps just another droplet, or two—
“Your Grace?”
“Oh!” She whirled around, a little shriek on her lips, the bottle of scent still clutched between her guilty fingers. It wasn’t Jasper, thank goodness, but it was the next worst thing.
His valet, Loftus, was standing in the doorway, staring at her as if she’d quite lost her wits. “May I help you, Your Grace?”
“Oh, I . . . forgive me. I just wanted to . . . oh, dear.” She fell silent, her cheeks on fire. How in the world could she possibly explain what she was doing in Jasper’s bedchamber, rummaging among his personal things? “I, ah, I’m leaving for the country today, and I thought I might just . . . that is, I thought perhaps I could—”
“I understand perfectly, Your Grace.” Loftus smiled, his dark eyes kind. “Allow me to help you.” He came toward her, reached for her handkerchief, and held it to his nose. “No, that won’t do. Perhaps a few more drops?”
Another rush of tears pressed behind her eyes at his thoughtfulness, but he pretended not to notice as he drizzled another half dozen drops of scent onto the bit of linen and brought it to his nose again. “Yes, that’s much better. That should last for some time. Will this do, Your Grace?”
He held the handkerchief out to her, and she took a watery little sniff. “Yes, that’s just right, isn’t it? You’re, ah, you’re very kind, Mr. Loftus.”
“Think nothing of it, Your Grace.” He smiled sweetly at her and gave her a formal little bow. “I’m pleased I could assist you. I wish you a pleasant journey.”
“Thank you.” She couldn’t quite smother the little sob that caught in her throat as she stuffed the handkerchief in her pocket, then turned and darted through the connecting door, closing it behind her and leaning against it, tears streaking her cheeks.
“Your Grace?” Sarah was piling folded clothing into a trunk, but she looked up at the sound of the door closing, and her face fell at the sight of Prue’s tears. “Oh, no. Has something happened, Your Grace? Are we not to go to Montford Park, after all?”
“No, we’re to go this afternoon, Sarah. Make sure to pack enough for at least a month, won’t you?”
“Yes, Your Grace.”
Prue left Sarah to the clothing and retreated to her writing desk, where she scrawled a quick note to Franny. She’d leave it with Keating on the way out, with instructions to take it to Park Lane.
After that, there was nothing for her to do but wait.
The time passed quickly, more quickly than it should have done, and soon enough she and Sarah were waiting in the entryway for the servants to load the trunks into the traveling coach. To her surprise, Jasper emerged from his study and waited in the entryway with them.
When the time came for them to go, he took her hand in his, his warm fingers cradling hers, and pressed a chaste kiss to her cheek. “Take care of yourself, Your Grace.”
And that was all.
In the next instant, she and Sarah were tucked into the coach and rolling down Curzon Street. “We’re on our way at last, Your Grace,” Sarah said, turning to her with an encouraging smile.
Yes, they were on their way, just as she’d wanted.
Yet in that moment, with Jasper’s kiss still burning her cheek, leaving Berkeley Square felt like the worst thing that had ever happened to her.
CHAPTER24
“His Grace is not at home.”
“Not at home? Do you take me for a fool, Keating? It’s nine o’clock in the morning. Of course, he’s home. Stand aside, man, and let me through.”
Jasper raised his head, passing a hand over his gritty eyes. The house had been as quiet as a tomb since Prue’s carriage had disappeared around the corner of Curzon Street. He’d stood on the front steps of his townhouse watching it go, and might have remained there for hours longer if Keating hadn’t appeared in the doorway and urged him to come inside, out of the rain.
So, he’d done what any man whose entire world had collapsed would do.
Retired to his study and closed the door behind him.
Not that hiding would do him any good now. The past that he’d never much troubled himself over, the past he hadn’t ever bothered to regret, had caught up to him at last, and with a vengeance. How arrogant he’d been, to imagine it never would. Looking back now, he hardly recognized the man he was before Prue came into his life.
