For Love of the Duke(40)
He clasped his hands behind his back and paced the Aubusson carpet in the Marquess of Guilford’s office.
Now, it was one thing seeking out counsel, it was an altogether different thing in broaching such a delicate matter for discussion.
Guilford rested, hip propped at the edge of his wide mahogany desk. “I must say, this visit is rather something of a surprise.”
Jasper glared over at him, and continued pacing.
What manner of madness had possessed him to accept Katherine’s offer of marriage? He’d been so enchanted, so utterly beguiled by the sight of her with that silly bonnet and preposterous list, his acceptance had just tumbled from his lips.
He’d not considered the ramifications of marriage to…not just to Katherine, but to any woman.
He’d not risk an emotional connection, and he most certainly would not risk begetting another heir upon any wife. Nay, not just any wife.
He stopped abruptly in the middle of Guilford’s floor.
Lady Katherine Adamson.
Jasper wiped the back of his hand across his eyes.
Christ.
“I venture something has happened to bring you out of your lair?”
Oh, something had certainly happened all right.
“I agreed to marry Lady Katherine Adamson.”
His friend cocked his head. “What was that?”#p#分页标题#e#
Jasper resumed pacing. “Marriage. To Katherine…Lady Katherine,” he amended. He slashed the air with his hand. “I know what you are thinking.”
Guilford snorted. “Oh, I’d wager you most certainly do not.”
Jasper gritted his teeth at the obvious humor in his friend’s tone. He was glad one of them found the situation bloody amusing. The reality of it was, that it was a blasted nightmare. He most certainly could not wed Katherine.
There was the matter of children.
And her damned smile. And her tight brown ringlets.
And…
Lydia.
He froze again, struck by the realization that he’d not thought of Lydia. What was happening to him?
“So you offered for the lady.”
Jasper glanced up. “Not quite,” he muttered under his breath.
Guilford scratched his brow. “What was that? I believe you said—”
“That I accepted the lady’s offer.”
A bark of laughter filled the room. Guilford shoved himself off his desk and strode over to the collection of crystal decanters on the table at the center of the room. “Am I to believe the lady offered for you? Lady Katherine offered for you?”
Jasper bristled at the insult. What was so bloody hilarious about Lady Katherine’s interest in him?
Guilford must have followed the direction of his thoughts. “I must say I believe this is the first I know of a lady offering for a gentleman.” He touched the decanter to an empty glass and splashed several fingerfuls into it. He held it out to Jasper.
Jasper waved it off. “I can’t wed her.”
The glass froze mid-way to Guilford’s mouth. He lowered it to his side. “Never tell me you’d renege on your offer…”
“It was her offer,” Jasper bit out. And then, “No, I wouldn’t,” he sighed. He might be a coldhearted bastard, dead on the inside, but he was still a gentleman. To not wed the lady now would be the height of dishonorable.
Guilford held his glass up in salute. “Well, then, congratulations are in order.”
Jasper growled and resumed pacing. “I cannot wed her,” he said more to himself.
“I believe you’ve already pointed out that you are a bit late in that regard,” Guilford drawled.
Jasper strode over to the crystal decanters and reached for the nearest bottle. He poured a glass full to the rim.
“And spirits, too? Well, this is quite the day, indeed. What should I expect next? Horses to fly over the Serpentine?”
Jasper downed the contents in a single swallow. He grimaced at the fiery path it blazed down his throat. Whiskey. He’d picked bloody whiskey.
It seemed fitting, considering the day he was having.
Nor would it do to point out in the days since he’d met Katherine he’d consumed far more spirits than he had in the course of the four years. Guilford was already enjoying this a good deal too much.
“She had a list,” Jasper said at last.
From over the rim of his glass, Guilford’s grin widened. “A list?”
Jasper reached for another decanter, this time selecting a bottle of brandy. He sloshed a healthy amount of spirits into his glass and took a long swallow. “A list,” he growled, waving his glass about. “You know, a list? Something one articulates…”
Guilford laughed. “I know what a list is. Don’t be a bloody arse. What manner of list?”