Page 76 of His Wicked Charm

“Sir Jasper? I think that’s clear from the way I’ve been avoiding him.”

“But I know your aunt Helena favors him, and you trust and rely on her. I thought she might persuade you. That you might give in because it’s ‘appropriate.’ I should hate to see you tied to someone like him.”

“Would you?” Lilah held her breath. What was Con saying?

“You deserve so much more. You should have a man who will treasure you.”

The way you do not? But she did not say it. Con leaned closer.

“Delilah!” They whirled around. Sir Jasper stood in the doorway, looking horrified. “What in the name of all that’s holy is going on?”

CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN

SIR JASPER PRESENTED such a comical figure, standing there in his brocade dressing gown, matching nightcap askew on his head and candlestick in hand, that Lilah struggled not to smile.

“Lord Moreland! Explain yourself. What are you doing here with Delilah in the middle of the night? Not wearing a jacket! And sitting on the floor!”

“At least I’m not wearing my nightclothes.” Con rose to his feet, a dangerous light in his eyes. “Why are you roaming about Miss Holcutt’s home, spying on her?”

“Spying!” Jasper’s face turned scarlet. “How dare you, sir! I am Miss Holcutt’s only male relative, which gives me every right to question your conduct and motives.”

“And here I would have sworn your motives were something other than familial.”

“Con, stop.” Lilah turned toward the older man. “We were going through some of my grandfather’s things.”

“At this hour?”

“Yes, isn’t it amazing?” Aunt Vesta’s voice came from the inner staircase, making everyone jump. “Young people have so much energy.”

They turned to see Vesta standing at the top of the stairs, a hand on her ample bosom as she caught her breath. Unsurprisingly, she was a startling vision in a bed robe of vivid purple embroidered with golden dragons. Her too-black hair streamed down her back. Not content with a single candlestick, she carried a candelabra with three tapers.

“Good God.” Sir Jasper goggled at her. “Where the devil did you come from?”

“Why, from the floor below, Jasper, where else? And, really, I’m surprised to hear you curse in the presence of ladies.”

As Jasper fumbled for words, Lilah said, “Hello, Aunt Vesta.”

“Mrs. LeClaire.” Con embellished his greeting with an extravagant bow, which made Vesta giggle.

“Sorry to be running late,” Vesta said, adding in an aside to Jasper, “The children are helping me go through my father’s things. It is something of a task, as you can see.”

“Good God,” Jasper said again, looking around him at the room for the first time. “What a bizarre place.”

“Sir Ambrose was fond of clocks and compasses,” Aunt Vesta said in a vast understatement. “He said he always wanted to know when and where he was.”

“Yes, I can see.”

“I’m so sorry that we bothered you, Sir Jasper,” Lilah said.

“I beg your pardon for awakening you,” Con added insincerely. “You must sleep very lightly indeed to have heard us from your bedchamber.”

The other man replied stiffly, “I happened to be up and saw the light in this tower. I thought it best to investigate. It could have been robbers.”

“Mmm. One never knows whom one might find creeping about the house,” Con said.

Red flared along Sir Jasper’s cheekbones, and Lilah said hastily, “It was very thoughtful of you, Sir Jasper. We appreciate your concern very much. Don’t we, Aunt Vesta?”

“What?” Aunt Vesta had wandered over to the pile of books on the floor. “Oh, yes, of course.”