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He did not answer.

Was it because of her letter? Why had she mentioned it at all?

Or perhaps it was because he thought her prying and prone to gossip. If he were to discover that her mother was Aunt Augusta…

It did not surprise Anna that Lord Pershore left shortly thereafter, but it did surprise her that she missed him already.

Perhaps the house party would thaw her heart from Benjamin, and perhaps one day, Lord Pershore would steal that kiss.

Perhaps a Christmas kiss…

She found herself hoping that might be the case.

CHAPTER13

17th December,1812

Tomorrow night would be the start of the house party, but Jasper had no intention of going.

“Won’t you consider changing your mind?” his mother asked that afternoon. They were sitting in their parlor, or, rather, his parents were sitting while Jasper stood by the window.

“So many people,” he muttered.

“I know what happened wounded you terribly. Are you willing to give those who wronged you the pleasure of knowing they control your life? That because of them, you would deny yourself the opportunity for happiness?”

He held his tongue.

His mother stood and approached him, touching his shoulder. “I hear from Louisa that her daughter Anna hopes to see you. Won’t you reconsider?”

“I…” He shook his head. Sorting through his past hurt and endeavoring to determine how much he cared for Lady Anna was too much for him. Would not it be better to stay here, away, where he could never be the object of a scandal?

She sighed. “Very well then. You have been an obedient enough son when I’ve asked for you to go out on other occasions. I won’t demand this of you as well. Only, please do consider attending. Your father and I are.”

A throat cleared. Their butler stood in the doorway. “The Duke of Barnet is here.”

His mother smiled widely. “At least you have made one friend.”

Jasper nodded to her and followed the butler to the door. Barnet was a friend, yes, because they commiserated about gossips and having their hand forced.

The two played cards, drank, and talked. All the while, Barnet did not know what grieved Jasper so, but nor did he press for details. If Jasper could not confess to a friend, how could he ever tell Anna? And if he did not tell Anna, how could he dare think of her as more than a friend?

Was he ready to try again? To reach out? To perhaps find love? He thought he had already found it…

“I know that look.” Barnet laughed and tapped his glass to Jasper’s. “What lady has captured your attention so raptly?”

Jasper was so flustered he answered honestly. “Lady Anna.”

“Ah, yes. I should have guessed. She is a lovely lady, is not she?”

“Yes,” he murmured, and he drained the last of his drink.

“Speaking of gossips, they would have it that she had a tendre for me, but have no fear. My engagement has put that on hold, I am sure.” He grimaced.

Startled, Jasper stiffened. Anna and Barnet? Did the duke care for Anna? Did she still care for him?Is she merely using me as a means to get over him?

“When are you two to marry? I had thought you would have by now.”

The duke’s grimace twisted fiercer. “As soon as Florentina feels up to it. I am afraid that… her condition… is not an agreeable one.”