Dawn rose on a new day, with soft Autumn light glancing in through the windows of Jasper’s bedchamber. He had not slept a wink the entire night, thinking of Adelaide. Indeed, after her departure, he had paced the library for an hour before taking himself out of the house for a walk. He had needed to clear his head, but it hadn’t worked. She remained a constant thought in his mind.

He threw back the covers and went to the window, thinking over the incident. He could not understand why she would do such a thing, and yet it had given him hope. She had explained it herself—her motive had been to protect him from heartbreak. However, she had spoken of other things, too. She had spoken of other young ladies who might love him.

Did she really mean herself? Was she too shy to say it aloud? She seemed distracted and upset, as though there was more she wanted to tell me. Had there been another motive for her actions? Could she…could she love me? He didn’t even dare to contemplate it, though he could not help himself. If there was even the slightest chance of his affections being returned, he knew he could not balk from it. Not this time.

Ephraim had given him a lot to think about. Indeed, it had led him to the realization that his ideal lady had truly been standing before him the whole time. He could think of no lady more perfect, yet it had taken an outside eye to make him see it. I have been foolish all these years. Even if she were to reject me now, at least she would know my feelings. In good faith, I do not know that I can keep them to myself any longer. I must know. I must know if there is more to this than meets the eye.

He dressed quickly and made his way to the neighboring house. Daniel answered and asked him to wait in the drawing room whilst he fetched a maid to bring Adelaide down. It was early in the morning, and Jasper doubted she had even risen yet. Still, he could not wait a moment longer.

“Actually, might you instruct Lady Adelaide to meet me under the willow tree?” he asked, as Daniel turned to go.

The butler frowned. “Of course, My Lord.”

Clearly, the man thought he was mad, but Jasper did not care. If he was to tell Adelaide how he felt, then it would be in the place she loved more than anything. It seemed fitting.

He took himself out through the library and wandered across the garden. A glittering frost blanketed the grass, a few thawing dewdrops falling from the petals of Autumn’s last blooms. He paused to admire a winter rose, before moving on toward the willow tree. Parting the fronds, he stepped into the shade beyond and settled down on the bench beneath. An icy breeze swayed the curtain of foliage, but it did not make it through to where he sat.

Fifteen minutes later, Adelaide appeared. She looked pale and drawn, with dark circles beneath her eyes. It was evident that she had been crying. A stab of guilt pierced Jasper’s heart. He had caused this anguish, he knew he had. He had sent her away in such a cold, cruel manner and this was the result.

I am sorry, my love. It is I who should seek your forgiveness.

“What are you doing here so early?” she asked quietly. “I had not expected to hear from you for some time…if ever again.”

He smiled. “I know, and for that I am eternally sorry. Please, sit.”

Tentatively, Adelaide approached and sat down on the opposite end of the bench. “It is I who ought to be sorry. Indeed, I am extremely sorry for my actions. With time to think, I have realized how terribly I have behaved. I did not—”

“Please, Adelaide, do not punish yourself in such a manner,” he interjected. “You sought to protect me, and I should be grateful for that. There are few in this world who would defend me from heartache and deceit as you have done. It was a good deed, ill-managed.”

She held her head in her hands. “I thought you would hate me forever.”

“Adelaide, I could never hate you,” he replied, his voice filled with tenderness. He could feel the moment approaching, his heart thundering as he garnered the courage.

“Even so…I am sorry, Jasper. I should not have hidden the truth from you. I should have allowed you to come to your own conclusions about Miss Green. It was not my place to intervene.”

He took a breath. “Why did you intervene?”

“I have already explained.”

“Was my protection the only reason you intervened?”

She looked up at him with wide, desperate eyes. It was all the confirmation he needed that there was a glimmer of hope. A curious sparkle of something lingered in her gaze—a feeling he recognized, as it was reflected in his own eyes.

“I will not ask you to reveal anything to me,” he continued. “I will simply say what I must say and hope that I am not mistaken. Please, have patience with me. I have attempted to rehearse what I want to tell you, but it may not come out as I wish it to.” He flashed her a nervous smile.

“Go on…” she urged.

“Adelaide, I love you. I believe I may have loved you for the entirety of my life at your side, though it is only in recent days that I have realized the extent of my affection,” he said. “I have been a fool, unable to see that everything I have ever wanted has been right in front of me, all this time. Your father could see it. I believe even Miss Green could see it. I am sorry it has taken me so long to open my eyes.”

She stared at him, saying nothing.

Have I misunderstood? No matter…at least she will know. At least I will not have to hide what I feel. I love you, Adelaide. I have said it now. I cannot take it back, nor do I want to.

“I love you. If I were ever to marry, you would be the one I would desire as my wife. I am not asking for your hand, for I do not know if my feelings are reciprocated. I simply wish you to know that I am in love with you, and that will not go away. I have always loved you, in my own way, and now I understand the truth of it. It has always been you. Always.”

Tears streamed from her eyes. “Jasper, I…”

“I can understand if you do not feel the same way, and it shall not change the friendship between us. I value that above all things. Please, do not fear hurting me in your rejection.”

“Jasper…I love you, too. Every word that I wrote to you, though you did not realize it, came from my heart. They were my words. I love you. I love you. Oh Jasper, it is returned…your love is returned. I never dared to hope that you might feel the same. I felt certain your heart belonged to another.”

“It has always been yours,” he whispered, leaning in to touch her face. He lifted her chin gently, his eyes gazing into hers. Her hand covered his, her body trembling as he leaned ever closer. He smiled as her eyes closed, her lips rising to meet his.

He was about to kiss her when the fronds of the willow parted, and Miss Green stormed through, her eyes ablaze with fury. She lunged for Adelaide without warning, hauling her up from the bench before Jasper could move to stop her. Adelaide screamed in fright as Miss Green threw her to the ground in a fit of rage.

“You deceitful little witch!” Miss Green bellowed. “How dare you steal what is not yours! How dare you take him from me! What did I ask you, Adelaide? I asked you to help me win him back, I did not ask you to take him for yourself.” She dipped to grasp Adelaide by the hair, but Jasper shot up to stop her. He grabbed her by the arms and pulled her back, his strong grip restraining her.

“You will not speak to Lady Adelaide like that,” he said coldly. “I know everything. You tried to deceive me, Miss Green. It is you who are the deceitful one, not Adelaide.”

Miss Green strained against Jasper’s grasp. “You have ruined everything, Adelaide! I shall be a spurned woman because of you. Do you understand that? Do you understand what you have done?”

“Control yourself,” Jasper snapped. “Adelaide is not at fault here. She has done nothing wrong. All she has done is seek to protect me from those who would attempt to manipulate me. You will leave this house at once, before I have you removed by force.”

“This was your plan all along, wasn’t it?” Miss Green spat. “You wanted him for yourself, so you waited until I made a mistake. You knew he would never deem me worthy. But you—you think yourself so superior. You decided you would have him, regardless of what it would mean for me.”

“Enough!” Jasper pushed Miss Green towards the fronds of the willow tree, forcing her through them. Daniel and a couple of the footmen had appeared at the top of the garden steps, drawn by Adelaide’s scream. Seeing what was happening, they hurried down and helped Jasper remove Miss Green from the premises.

“You will regret this!” Miss Green howled. “Do you hear me, Adelaide? You will regret this! What do you think your precious Duke will have to say once he finds out about this? Do you think he’s a reasonable man? I believe you will rue this day, Adelaide. You and Jasper both!”

“Leave,” Jasper insisted, turning her and gripping her by the shoulders. “You are embarrassing yourself. I do not know what sort of trouble you have managed to get yourself into, but that is none of Adelaide’s concern. You will not threaten her, and you will not speak to her like that. You made your choice when you left. Do not blame either of us for your error in judgment.”

She glowered at him. “When the Duke seeks his retribution for this, you will wish you had awaited my return. You will wish you had pursued me, regardless of what I have done. It would have been easier for you both. Now, I shall ruin your lives, as you have done mine.”

Daniel and the footmen took Miss Green the rest of the way, all of them disappearing into the house. Jasper could still hear her caterwauling from the garden. Shaking off the shock of what had just happened, he hurried back beneath the willow tree. Adelaide had managed to find her way back to the bench. Tears poured down her cheeks, her chest heaving with fright.

“She is gone,” he murmured, putting his arm around her shoulders and pulling her close. “She is gone, and she will not return. I promise you that.”

“What about the Duke?” she whispered into his chest. “She is right—the Duke will kill us both for this. He is a dangerous man, you have all said as much. He will punish us for this.”

Jasper held her tighter. “I will protect you, Adelaide. For the rest of my life, I will keep you safe from harm. The Duke will not touch you. He will not hurt either of us. If he even attempts it, he shall be the one in danger.”

“What are we going to do?”

“Revel in the gift that we have been given,” he replied softly. “I love you, and you love me. With that, we can fight anything that comes our way. I already have your father’s approval, and my family have always wondered why you and I never courted. This shall all turn out for the best, you shall see. I promise you.”

She buried her face in his shoulder. “I love you, Jasper.”

“And I love you.”

As he held her close, he kissed the top of her forehead and inhaled the sweet scent of her hair. Adelaide was worth protecting. If he had to fight the Duke of Bradford with his life, then so be it. He knew the Duke would come, but he was ready. He was not afraid, for Adelaide’s love had given him a renewed strength he didn’t know he possessed.

Make your move, Duke. You cannot hurt us now.