Once Upon an Aggravatingly Heroic Kiss (A Christmas Prequel)

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“Brace yourself,” he then warned in a hissed whisper. “I believe your mother has found another target.” He chuckled before adding, “Perhaps you should simply let her make this choice for you. Heaven knows she wouldn’t mind!”
Before Jasper could reply, his mother suddenly stood before him, her sharp eyes meeting his before once more moving across the room toward the front entrance. “Do you see the young lady just arriving?” She jerked her chin in the direction in question. “The one with the dark brown hair and hazel eyes?” She looked back at him until he nodded. “I believe that is the daughter of the Duke of Ashbrook, Lady Adele.” She heaved a rather wistful sigh. “She would be a marvelous match; do you not agree?”
Jasper heaved a deep sigh. Yes, the young lady seemed lovely, and yet he felt not a spark of interest at the sight of her.
“I beg your pardon, Lady Whickerton,” Andrew interfered, and for once Jasper was grateful for his friend’s company. “However, I am fairly certain that she is already betrothed.”
Jasper’s mother huffed out an annoyed breath. “True or not,” she replied pointedly, as though Andrew had set out to ruin her plans on purpose, “nothing is set in stone until the marriage vows have been spoken.”
Ignoring his mother, Jasper met his sister’s gaze. Compassion rested in her eyes because like no other, she understood what it was like to have their mother interfere in her life.
“Well?” his mother prompted, a note of impatience in her voice.
Jasper turned to look at her. “Well, what?” he inquired, knowing precisely what she meant.
Her lips narrowed as she shook her head at him. “Your father would be most disappointed,” she remarked chidingly. “At the very least, look at the lady. She is lovely, is she not? And a duke’s daughter! What more can you ask for?”
To avoid looking at his friend and the undoubtedly self-serving grin currently plastered upon his face, Jasper moved his gaze to the young lady in question. Indeed, she had a kind face and possessed the sort of elegant beauty admired by the ton. Yet, once again, Jasper felt nothing. He felt nothing beyond the usual boredom that seemed to accompany him day in and out as he—
His gaze flickered to the right for only a split second, and yet it was enough.
Eyes the color of a brilliant summer sky looked into his, and…he felt it.
A flicker.
A spark.
Something that was definitely not boredom.
He blinked, and then he saw her.
Standing next to Lady Adele was a rather petite young woman with wide blue eyes and blond hair that shimmered with a red hue in the candlelight. She looked like a hundred other young ladies, and yet…
Jasper all but stared into her face, waiting for—
There it was!
An almost sly curl came to her lips as she returned his gaze with equal frankness, not once dropping her eyes in coy surrender. Indeed, a moment later, her right brow seemed to arch up in…challenge?
Jasper shook his head to clear it. Was he mistaken? Was it possible that such a woman truly existed? Bold and daring and…mysterious?
In his chest, his heart suddenly seemed to collide with his ribcage as though urging him to her side, determined to uncover her secrets. His hands clenched into fists as he stared at her, knowing he could not do as he wished. After all, he did not know her. They had never been introduced, and it would be nigh impertinent for him to—
With that sly curl still upon her lips, the young woman leaned closer to Lady Adele and whispered something in her ear. Instantly, Lady Adele’s eyes opened wide, as though in shock, and then snapped to him with lightning-speed.
Jasper felt shaken to his core. What could she possibly have said?
“She is lovely, is she not?” his mother inquired, for once a satisfied tone in her voice. “Do not worry. I shall arrange for you to be introduced,” she assured him before hurrying away.
“I cannot help but think,” Andrew remarked in a hushed tone beside him, “that it is not Lady Adele who has caught your attention.” He chuckled. “Am I right?”
Jasper swallowed, finding it almost impossible to avert his gaze and turn to face his friend. “Do you know who she is?” he asked, ignoring Andrew’s teasing grin, and casting a look over his shoulder at her.
Andrew paused for an agonizingly long moment before finally saying, “I believe she is the youngest daughter of the Earl of Swansborough.” Again, he paused—if one could call it that for he did not continue.
“What is her name?” Jasper growled under his breath so as not to be overheard by his sister. Once or twice, their mother had managed to elicit information from her regarding his whereabouts, pastimes and whatnot.
Andrew chuckled, watching him with interest. “Indeed, this is serious! I have to say I’ve never seen you so—”
“Her name!” Jasper hissed, grasping his friend’s arm.
Andrew smiled, completely unimpressed. “Lady Edith.”
Jasper exhaled the breath he had been holding and turned to look at her once more. To his surprise, their eyes met instantly, as though she had been watching him this whole time. And this time, he was certain that both her brows rose in what he could only assume to be a challenging gesture.
A wide grin came to his face, and his heart seemed to stumble in his chest. Now, this was a woman worth knowing!