The Necessary Lesson: A Late Regency Romance (The Harcourts: Another Generation Book 4) by Penny Fairbanks

Author:Penny Fairbanks [Fairbanks, Penny]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2022-06-30T18:30:00+00:00

CHAPTER 8

“Mama, might I ask you a question?” Jasper asked as he peered into the morning room. His mother sat by the window, embroidery in hand. The early mornings were her only opportunity to indulge in any of her favorite hobbies, the rest of the day given over to conveying various family members from one event to the next.

She glanced up with a calm smile. “Of course, son. Come in.”

Jasper crossed the room, looking over his shoulder to ensure none of his siblings—especially curious Amelia—happened to walk by. Mama waved to the chair across from her and Jasper took it, perched on the edge.

“Is something wrong, Jasper?”

“No, not precisely,” he mumbled, fidgeting with the light tan fabric of his trousers where they bunched at the sides of his knees.

“Are you wondering why I have kept your schedule so busy?” she pried, gaze never leaving the cottage scene she diligently stitched.

Jasper jumped, his spine straight. He eyed Mama with wonder and a tiny dose of fear. “How did you know what I was going to ask?”

Her piercing eyes flashed up, accompanied by a mischievous smile. “A mother always knows these things, darling. To answer your question, I thought you might need a little boost in finding a lady. I know you tend to be on the reserved side like your father. You make and keep friends very well, but when it comes to ladies—well, I only want you to have the best advantage. It is already May, after all, and your past two Seasons did not prove very fruitful for courtships. But now you have more connections and I am always expanding our circles, so we simply need to utilize them.”

A dejected sigh escaped Jasper. Intrigued, Mama lowered her embroidery hoop to her lap and looked at him fully.

“I do appreciate that very much, Mama, but you know I am not in much of a rush. I know the right woman will come along at the right time,” he offered, hoping that she would not read the rest of his thoughts with her powers of motherly wisdom. Jasper could no longer deny that that woman was much closer than Mama realized—if his hopes and suspicions proved correct.

Of course, knowing him, Jasper would not have been surprised if he had somehow terribly missed the mark and completely misinterpreted Miss Seymour’s speech and manner. Yet that little voice in the back of his mind, growing stronger by the day even when he did not have time for so much as a glance in the governess’ direction, whispered that he had not gotten it wrong this time. Miss Seymour was fond of him. Every fleeting look, every hitched breath, every warm word confirmed it.

“I have every faith that she will,” Mama agreed, her normally sharp and discerning eyes softening. She leaned forward and laid her hand over Jasper’s, encouraging him to relax and cease his fidgeting. “I pray for it every day, for all my children. I only hoped to use my vast network of acquaintances to expedite the process.

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