The Wedding Deception (8 page)

- Aunt Agnes always lags five minutes. Not a second more or one less. Within two minutes she'll be here. If you want to avoid it, there's still time.

- My brother and I are alike only in appearance. In personality, are different as day and night.

- Nobody knows that better than I, my lord.

- So tell me how to act to save her aunt think I'm Jason.

- Will you help me? - Claire asked.

Jasper tried not to notice the look of relief on her face. Not only would such a sacrifice for her, but mainly to avoid a major scandal. - I'll give you a warning, my lady. Do not lie for you. - Never ask such a thing. Just tell the truth.

- What truth?

- Aunt Agnes knows that I married Lord Fairhurst. - Her voice was firm, but his eyes were somber. - Is it sufficient to present him as lord Fairhurst. She will be pleased. I should warn you that it will make indiscreet questions, as the state of his finances and his political convictions.

- Survive.

- Prepare yourself, my lord. She is an opponent, though. Despite their age, Aunt Agnes is very clever. - Claire frowned. - Finally, think it could be less formal?

- How so?

- I am very romantic, and everyone back home make jokes about it. The story of my relationship with Jay lightning is a subject much talked about in our little community. Aunt Agnes heard all the details, which were more exaggerated. If you keep behaving in ways their boring, she'll never believe us.

Jasper gave him an indignant look. What audacity to accuse him of being boring! He was deliberate and controlled, always the perfect gentleman. Never would a loving husband, even in front of other people!

The sound of a mild cough prevented him from responding to the task. Looking over his shoulder, saw the steward standing at the door.

- Mrs. Agnes Humphrey - he announced.

Aunt Agnes came with a thoughtful look at the elegance of the room. She was short, robust, and was dressed all in black. His features were striking features, keeping the beauty of youth. Jasper stood up and straightened his shoulders, but soon took a more casual attitude.

- Aunt Agnes, good to see you. - Claire's aunt kissed cheeks, and turned to Jasper. - Can I have the pleasure of presenting it to Lord Fairhurst?

Agnes bowed his head slightly in return for the fulfillment of Jasper, then faced him.

- I waited too long to meet you, kid.

- I have heard a lot about, milady - Jasper responded with kindness. Aunt Claire led to a chair and sat down beside her. Jasper stood with one arm resting on the frame of the fireplace, assessing the situation. Agnes looked at him fixedly, as if to penetrate the deepest point of his soul. Kind words and good manners would not be sufficient to give a good impression. Jasper was not easily discouraged. Almost with resignation, set out to be absolutely charming. Asked about the trip, over time, health, the favorite topic of the elderly. Agnes replied in a tone of complacency, as if those trivia questions that bothered her. And, as if expecting him to feel honored to be asked by her, said:

- I certainly hope that proves to be a gentleman worthy of the hand of my greatniece. I'm not impressed with your procedure to this point, but I'll give you a chance to redeem himself.

Jasper pursed his lips. Her words express exactly what he would say to his brother, if given the chance. Went to look for Aunt Agnes with new respect.

- Claire is really a jewel, my lady. I promise to commit myself to constantly improve and be worthy of her niece.

Claire raised an eyebrow, surprised by the statement. Still dazed, he pulled the bellrope. A servant answered and she gave orders that the tea was served. Minutes later, the boy put the tea tray on the coffee table, and so he turned away, Agnes insisted:

- I believe that husband and wife should live together, Lord Fairhurst. Jasper grinned.

- Generally, this is how the couples live.

- It will be well with you?

- We'll see - Claire intervened, taking the platter of cookies and extending it to the aunt. - Try an oatmeal cookie. They are delicious.

Agnes took the biscuit, but left it untouched in the saucer. His gaze focused Jasper again.

- I wonder why he traveled to Wiltshire to find a bride. The girls from London does not appeal to him, my lord?

Jasper felt a chill. Could she have heard comments about his marriage to Rebecca?

Agnes did not attend the same social circles as him, but juicy stories always came to every corner of the city. On the other hand, if he had heard any comment about it, it would have faced when they arrived.

- I did not travel to Wiltshire in search of a bride, but came back with one. - He looked at Claire with a burning look. - Say that escaped my control.

- Oh, he's romantic! - Agnes exclaimed with a beaming smile. - What about the children, Fairhurst lord? Want to have children soon, no?

- Aunt Agnes ... - Claire questioned.

- I'm just saying I want some nephews, great-grandchildren to cheer my old age.

- There are many things we want, aunt. Life is not all joy and do not always have everything we want. - Claire patted the hand of her aunt. - Or we deserve.

- Yes .. You're right.

Jasper was impressed. Aunt Claire had managed to detain without insulting her. The conversation shifted to other issues, and by the end of the visit, Agnes did not mention their favorite topics, namely, himself.

At bottom, should thank the good lady. If she had not insisted for Claire to visit her husband in London, he was married to Rebecca and adultery. He shuddered just thinking about the proportions of the scandal.

Finally, the visit ended. After hugging her niece and say goodbye to Jasper with a graceful curtsy, Agnes left the hall just as entered, with the nose up and rustling skirts.

- Well, it was not too bad - Jasper said.

- Compared to what? In the Spanish Inquisition?

- I confess that it is a little overbearing.

- Yes, a little. - Claire laughed.

- I think she liked me.

The comment earned a fun look for Claire.

- You were absolutely charming and exceptionally patient. Thank you.

- Just absolutely charming?

- Extraordinarily charming. Are you satisfied, my lord?

They both laughed. The irritation that Jasper felt before disappeared. In its place was a strange and almost desperate tenderness. Their faces were close, and Jasper has become much more conscious of the warmth and femininity Claire. Decided to unbalance it.

- As you know, did not attend his wedding. By all accounts, it is possible that I'm the groom. - He held the hand of Claire. - I think I have the right to kiss the bride. Despite the expression of amazement, she did not protest. Encouraged, Jasper nodded and brushed his lips on hers, feeling its softness and warmth. He knew that the softer taps could provide the greatest pleasures.

A tingling sensation started at the point of contact and spread rapidly through his body. Proved Claire lip and inhaled its fragrance sensual. She sighed and he sucked her lips eagerly.

At the same time, held her head between her hands and with his fingertips, has skirted the line of the eyebrows and cheeks. Then his lips pressed harder, prompting her to open her mouth so that the tongues touched.

He felt her shudder and pulled her into the bodies of amoldarem. His mouth was a delight of softness and eagerness. The tongue dueled his. The heat intensified. Jasper tried not to be haywire, but the taste of her lips fed his desires. The pleasure burned his body and blood in the veins throbbing in rhythm hot and powerful. Jasper felt the passion that it offered, the passion that she was able to ignite and experience. And at that moment, he found the truth. I wanted that kiss to turn into something more.

In a deep corner of his mind, flashed a spark of sanity. He knew that his behavior was unthinkable. With great reluctance, lifted his head. Claire blinked and staggered. He held her by the shoulders, supporting her. She took a deep breath and looked around. In an instinctive gesture, placed his hands on his chest, but not pushed.

- I think it was a folly - she murmured. Jasper agreed. Outside one of the more misguided actions of his life, kiss the wife of his brother. But his conscience was not concerned with the issue of ownership, but his vanity was a man who resented her reaction.

- It was so unpleasant? She shuddered.

- No. In fact, it was spectacular.

Then, with a mysterious smile on her lips, she left the room. Jasper followed it with their eyes, questioning. Why kissed? Was it because she called him boring? Or a kind of revenge against his brother, responsible for this untenable situation. Or, the most disconcerting of all possibilities, he was losing some of his famous control and succumbing to the passion that inspired Claire so strongly?

Claire climbed the stairs wondering what happened. He could not explain why it had allowed Jasper to kiss her. Typically, one person was filed, although he was always in the company of Lord Fairhurst, she felt the need to do crazy things. It was nice to think that the initiative off the kiss, but acknowledged his share of blame, it had a chance to say no. And, taking possession of his mind, thoughts screamed yes.

After Henry, she never reacted physically to any man. In the circumstances, Lord Fairhurst should be the last man she should be emotionally involved. Upon entering the room, approached the window. The sun began to set. Soon the garden to cover the twilight, buttons hoping for the warmth of the sun the next morning to open into splendid flowers.

The garden kept the promise of spring, the allusion to the beauty to come. It seemed a metaphor for his feelings for Lord Fairhurst.

The thought saddened her. The conflicting emotions he faced was evidence of the attraction he felt for the first time since Jasper.

But he had no right to such emotions. Lord Fairhurst belonged to another, and she to another. His relationship with Jay was not romantic in nature, and never would, but that was the agreement that he accepted.

And the agreement that would keep forever.

At least now, she had memories. For a long time was not granted. Jay could be considered the libertine of the family, but the kisses of Jasper Fairhurst made clear that Lord knew how to please a woman.

Just thinking about it, Claire was on shaky legs. Determined, banished the thought and images of his mind. He spent the rest of the afternoon in the rooms, deciding whether it would be better to stay here alone and sit quietly at the dinner table. He needed to get used to loneliness. It would be a nice evening, but would not be horrible. It would be exactly what it was: the reality of their future. Eventually, when he could not control his thoughts, remember the kisses of Lord Fairhurst. But with the pleasant memories, the warning was cruel. She should not kiss him again. He was not her and never would. Deceiving him only bring disappointment. Unfortunately, the mind does not dictate orders to the heart. As feared, Claire spent half the night awake, and when I finally fell asleep, the memories of kisses seducing a charming man populated his dreams.

Chapter VII

During the days that followed, Jasper tried to occupy himself with the business. He spent almost all day at the office, sending or reading with the secretaries. Repeating to yourself that it was simply a precaution, he avoided Claire. The mansion was huge, so the chances of finding it were slim, but to ensure its isolation, had come to dine at the strangest times of day and evening in the privacy of your room or office.

For the first time in her life, she felt uncomfortable and ill at ease in his own house. Well spent to avoid social events. It was not yet prepared to respond to friends and acquaintances about his relationship with Rebecca. Sending flowers daily to Rebecca, but she never thanked for his kindness. Her silence was significant, and Jasper began to consider whether you would be given the chance to hit the edges between them. And in the days of greatest despair, he wondered if he really wanted that chance. The only person who was eager to see his lawyer, Walter Beckham, who appeared to be strangely aloof. By morning, received it at home, but the meeting was unproductive. And not only by the slow progress in pursuing the issue, but also by the strange behavior of the lawyer. Always calm and talkative, Beckham looked nervous now, with laconic answers and evasive and avoid facing Jasper. Jasper never questioned the competence and honesty of the attorney, but had been left with the distinct impression that he was hiding something.

- I interrupt?

Jasper looked up and saw his brother, the Marquis de Dardington, standing at the door.

- No. Come in.

- I heard that Beckham was here. - The Marquis sat near the fireplace. - I guess the news was not encouraging.

- Not at all. - Lord Fairhurst filled two glasses with port wine and handed one to his brother.

- The firm that hired the research confirmed its request that the marriage between Jasper Barrington, lord of Fairhurst, and Claire Truscott is actually registered in the office of the village. We also found that the Truscott family is very respected and loved in the community - said the marquis.

- What about my brother?

- He went to Wiltshire after marriage, ostensibly to resolve family matters in London. How do we know it did not, researchers are checking other possibilities, but it takes a long time and a little luck to find it. Jason did not leave clues. - The Marquis Jasper looked over the edge of the cup. - Do you think he'll be back soon?

- I do not know. My brother has disappeared for long periods of time on several occasions. - Jasper took a sip of wine, then laughed. - Sure, he had never before left me a wife!

The marquis raised an eyebrow.

- She's your wife? That is what the lawyer said?

- Not with all the letters, but it realized that the nervousness will not be easy to extricate myself from it. I doubt there is cancellation. Perhaps the divorce. The Marquis took a sip of wine.

- I personally do not believe in the validity of their marriage. Would you like to see my father's lawyer to get a second opinion?