Page 19 (1/2)

Jasper drew to a halt just inside the threshold, looking at Westfield in a way that said he wasn’t surprised to see the earl visiting Either histhe house had informed him, or he’d known from Westfield Eliza didn’t kno she felt about the latter possibility

What she did knoas that their relationship was irrevocably changed Although he was dressed from his neck to his toes, in her ht--flushed and disheveled, naked and vulnerable He had been so open then, so willing to bare his thoughts and feelings, even when he didn’t understand thee of that hidden side to hi A part of her believed she "knew" hi how little about his life and past was known to her, but it wasn’t herthe deter at her, he was reht before, too But if he felt the same deep connection, why had Westfield come to call on her?

"Miss Martin" Jasper bowed, his voice lingering in the air for a delicious htened and pivoted to face the earl "My lord"

Westfield stood "Bond How fortuitous your arrival is"

"Is that so?" Jasper looked at her "Why?"

Eliza understood from Jasper’s low tone that he was in a volatile , unsure how to relay the events of her"Lord West-field has come to offer his assistance"

Visually, there was no change in Jasper’s countenance, but his clipped response spoke volu the conversation over to him

Jasper’s ar through e discussed last night Seeing Miss Martin wed ht resolve the problems of everyone involved"

"Wed to whom?"

"To htly, in thebeast

Eliza, as uncertain of as transpiring, thought it best to keep her own counsel

Westfield’s san to fade as the silence stretched out

Jasper glanced at Eliza "Have you answered him?"

"Not yet, sir"

"Why the delay? Westfield is suitable in every way"

Stiffening against a sharp pain in her chest, Eliza lifted her chin and replied, "Perhaps I aiting for your endorseive it to you," he snapped

She blinked

The earl looked equally stunned "Now, see here, Bond--"

"What is your answer, Eliza?" Jasper stared hard at her