The Gentleman's Bride Search (14 page)

Or did she?

Duty and caution warned her that she should not. But could her caution be born of fear as Jasper had suggested? She had always prided herself on her stubborn refusal to be ruled by fear. Yet her employer’s sudden attention caused her at least as much alarm as elation. It had made her turn tail and run as she never had before the harshest teacher or nastiest bullies at school.

“Thoughtful actions are always a good way to win the regard of others.” Inwardly Evangeline winced at her prim, pedantic tone. Clearly she could use lessons in the subtle art of innocent flirtation.

Jasper chuckled as if he believed she meant to banter with him. He nodded toward the dance floor. “I am pleased to see Miss Webster’s company is in such demand.”

“No wonder.” Evangeline watched the lady move with spirited grace through the steps of a longways country dance. “She is beautiful, an excellent dancer and very agreeable company. What more could a partner wish for?”

“I suppose that depends on the partner.” Jasper lowered his voice. “She may be many men’s idea of an ideal lady. I was inclined to think so, not long ago. But now I know what I truly want. I am pleased you made Miss Webster enough introductions that she will not miss my name from her dance card. That leaves me free to concentrate my attentions...elsewhere.”

As his voice fell, he leaned closer to Evangeline, until his murmured words seemed to caress her ear.

The back of her neck prickled with gooseflesh. “That is not why I introduced Miss Webster around!”

“I know,” Jasper assured her. “But if you had, I would not be displeased. Now, if, as you claim, I have not spoiled my chance of securing a dance with you, I would like to request the honor. Will you prove your courage by obliging me?”

Prove her courage? Clearly Jasper knew the perfect means to persuade her to do what he wanted. It was no use pretending she wished to dance with him any less than he with her. But the manner of his request saved her pride a little.

“How can I resist such a challenge?” she asked with an intrepid tilt of her chin.

They left their empty punch cups on a nearby table. Then she took his hand and let him lead her to the dance floor, where a new set was beginning to form.

The warmth of his smile rewarded Evangeline for accepting his invitation, if she had needed any further reward than the pleasure of dancing with him. It kindled a sparkling glow that made her forget where her wayward feelings could lead if she was not careful. All that mattered was this moment and her joy in his company.

They joined two long lines of men and women facing each other across the floor. Evangeline glimpsed several of Jasper’s guests among the other dancers. A swift pang of shame gripped her when she encountered Mr. Webster’s reproachful glare. But his daughter did not appear to notice that her suitor was paying considerable attention to another lady. Or was Miss Webster too proud to betray any sign of injured feelings?

The opening chords of the music banished those doubts from Evangeline’s mind. Concentrating on the sequence of steps and following the more experienced dancers around her left no room for thoughts of Miss Webster. Her heart was too full of pleasure in Jasper’s company to hold a single drop of guilt.

Some of the other dancers took the opportunity to converse at they bowed, crossed and turned, but Evangeline and Jasper did not. Perhaps he sensed that she could not tolerate any distraction or perhaps he also needed to concentrate on the steps he had not performed in a long while. But whenever their eyes met, he smiled at her and his gaze glowed with enjoyment. Whenever he clasped her hand, to bow over it or perform a turn, he gave her fingers a subtle squeeze that suggested a special connection between them. As the dance rollicked to its conclusion, Evangeline felt as if her feet scarcely touched the floor.

After it was over, Jasper applauded and gave a breathless chuckle. “I hope I did not disgrace myself or you too much with my performance.”

She shook her head. “No more than I. Are you sorry now that you insisted on taking a turn with me?”

He answered with a look of mock derision tempered with fondness. “If you believe that, you are a good deal less clever than I reckoned.”

“I must admit, you did not look sorry.” His unexpected attentiveness made her feel light-headed, as if he had spun her around too quickly during the dance. “Indeed, you gave every indication of enjoying yourself.”

“That’s better.” Jasper’s eyes focused on her with such intensity, he hardly seemed aware of anyone else in the room. “Your powers of observation do not appear to have suffered, after all. Of course, if you wish to prove that you enjoyed our dance as much as I did, you will consent to join me for another.”

“Must everything be a challenge with you?” she teased with a hint of asperity.

Jasper pulled a wry face. “Knowing my competitive nature, does that surprise you?”

Evangeline could not contain the laughter that bubbled out of her. It threatened to carry her away.

“I would say you and I are well matched in that regard. Come to think of it, we are well matched in a great many ways...” He looked as if he wanted to say more but managed to restrain himself. “Including on the dance floor. What do you say? Shall we try again and see if we can improve?”

The power of his personality and her own inclination urged Evangeline to agree at once. But her prudence and discretion were determined to mount some resistance. “I will dance with you again, if you wish, but not right away. It would be certain to cause comment and make Mr. Webster even more vexed with me. You really should not neglect his daughter so shamefully, regardless of what...strange compulsion has come over you this evening.”

As the musicians tuned up for the next dance and new lines began to form, Jasper drew her away from the floor. “This
strange compulsion,
as you call it, is much more than that, Evangeline. And it did not come over me just this evening. It has been growing for some time without my being aware of it. I only wish I had recognized it sooner.”

His words made her heart bound, for they described her feelings toward him with perfect accuracy. How could she doubt his sincerity when she had experienced the same emotions as he claimed to?

Though Jasper spoke softly and the people around them appeared too intent on their own business to take any notice, Evangeline pressed her finger to her lips. “This is not the place to speak of such things.”

Jasper looked around as if becoming aware of the rest of the company for the first time. “You are right, of course. But I do mean to speak of them at my earliest opportunity. In the meantime, if you will not dance with me again so soon, at least let me fetch you another cup of punch?”

“I would be most obliged to you. I had forgotten what thirsty work dancing can be.”

Perhaps a cool draft of punch would dampen the dangerous sparks of ardor his attentions ignited in her. If they blazed out of control they could threaten the life’s work to which she had dedicated herself.

Jasper seemed to take her acceptance as further encouragement. “I shall return in a moment.”

He had gone no distance when Squire Brunskill appeared before Evangeline and requested the honor of the next dance. The squire was a jovial little widower who often spoke kindly to her and the children after church. She accepted his invitation with a degree of eagerness that might have appeared rather forward.

While they waited to take their turn on the dance floor, Jasper returned bearing the promised punch.

The squire mistakenly accepted both cups for Evangeline and himself. “Why, thank you, Mr. Chase. It is very good to see Miss Fairfax enjoying a little local society. She is so devoted to your dear children, but surely the lady deserves a little life of her own.”

The poor man seemed oblivious to the baleful glare he received from Jasper. For a moment Evangeline feared her employer might seize his neighbor by the collar and give him a sound shaking.

Before he had a chance, the squire bolted his punch and shoved the empty cup back into Jasper’s extended hand. “Drink up, Miss Fairfax. The next set is about to form. If you will excuse us, Mr. Chase, I mean to take advantage of her unexpected presence this evening.”

Evangeline did as the squire bid her, torn between alarm, relief and a wild urge to laugh. Finding herself suddenly the object of masculine rivalry was simply too ridiculous!

* * *

Did the squire have any idea how ridiculous he looked fawning over a lady nearly half his age?

Until that evening, Jasper had liked the plainspoken North Countryman who took a benevolent role in the activities of the village. Squire Brunskill had accepted him as a member of the community in spite of his being city bred and having bettered his fortunes by marriage. With no family of his own, the squire clearly doted on Jasper’s children, losing no opportunity to praise their looks, cleverness and behavior.

But as Jasper watched his neighbor dance with Evangeline that evening and ply her with rustic gallantries, he found himself detesting the man. It was clear he had fancied the lady for some time but never found an opportunity to pursue her. The churchyard was hardly the proper place to conduct a courtship. Tonight, as the squire had proclaimed, he was eager to
take advantage
of her presence.

Worse than that, Evangeline seemed to be encouraging the squire in a deliberate effort to avoid Jasper! Could that be because she had no romantic interest in him and found his attentions distasteful? Or were her feelings quite the opposite and so strong that they alarmed her? After the silent communication that had passed between them during their dance, Jasper was inclined to believe the latter.

He must make Evangeline understand she had nothing to fear from him. But how could he persuade her of that if the squire insisted on monopolizing her company?

In a fever of anxiety, Jasper sought out Norton Brookes and drew him aside for a brief word. “Can I prevail upon you to claim the next dance with Miss Fairfax? A neighbor of mine is making a nuisance of himself.”

His friend glanced toward the dance floor. “I shall always be happy to assist Miss Fairfax, though she does not strike me as a helpless damsel in need of rescue.”

“Of course she’s not helpless!” Jasper bridled at the thought. Even as a young girl, in that repressive school, Evangeline had found ways to stand up for herself and her friends. “But I fear he may take advantage of her good nature to impose upon her.”

Still, his friend did not seem to appreciate the gravity of the situation. “If you are so concerned, why not have a word with the fellow? Or ask Miss Fairfax to dance yourself? That would be no hardship, surely?”

Of course it would not be a hardship! Jasper fought the urge to rage at Norton. His emotions felt raw, too easily inflamed. That was not a pleasant sensation, yet he felt more fully alive, somehow, than he had in a very long time. Perhaps this was part of what Evangeline feared about allowing herself to care too deeply for someone.

“If you will not oblige me, I suppose I shall have to ask her,” he muttered darkly.

The worst she could do was refuse. Jasper told himself that would be a minor setback, though his heart regarded it otherwise. Perhaps a breath of fresh air would help him put the matter in proper perspective.

He turned away from his friend and stalked to the door, making a determined effort to avert his eyes from the dance floor. If he happened to see Evangeline enjoying the squire’s company more than his, he feared he might do something he would regret.

A moment later, he emerged from the assembly hall into the cool air and relative quiet of the village square. A few coachmen had congregated within sight of the door, enjoying a little conversation and refreshment while they waited for their passengers. Jasper turned in the opposite direction and took several long slow breaths in an effort to clear his head.

Before he had managed that properly, Piers Webster appeared. Jasper doubted their meeting was a coincidence.

Mr. Webster wasted no time confirming his suspicion. “Have you and Margaret had a quarrel, then?”

“Nothing of the kind,” Jasper insisted.

It was perfectly true. He liked Margaret Webster as well as ever. They’d never had the slightest disagreement, in contrast to his frequent clashes with Evangeline. He’d believed that was what he wanted from marriage—unbroken tranquility. Now he sensed it would only lull his heart back to sleep. While that might be a comfortable state, how much would he miss as a consequence?

Piers Webster gave a doubtful sniff. “Then why are you skulking out here while my daughter is inside dancing with every bumpkin beau in the parish?”

Jasper hesitated. He wanted to tell Margaret’s father that there could be no match between them because his heart was committed elsewhere. But this was not the proper time. Perhaps he should go back inside, dance with Miss Webster and pretend his intentions toward her had not changed. But he did not want to lead the lady on any more than he had already. Neither did he wish to embarrass her with his obvious neglect. Evangeline had already chided him for that.

“It is not easy to get near her.” Jasper offered the first excuse that came to mind, insisting to his conscience that it was true. “Your daughter is the belle of the ball and justly so. I do not wish to cheat her of her triumph by keeping her all to myself.”

Piers Webster lowered his voice to a menacing rumble. “I did not make my fortune by being thick, you know. You’ve had no trouble getting near that chit of a governess. There looks to be more between you than is proper for master and servant.”

“Miss Fairfax is not a servant!” Jasper could not bear to hear Evangeline referred to in that dismissive way. “There is nothing between us, nor has there ever been.”

Not in the sordid way Mr. Webster meant, certainly. The last thing Jasper wanted was for ugly gossip about them to stain Evangeline’s reputation.

“I am relieved to hear that.” Piers Webster backed down in the face of Jasper’s emphatic denial. “Can you promise me that your intentions toward my daughter are honorable? You haven’t just been trifling with her, amusing yourself at her expense?”