That was the last thing he was expecting from her.
He's not a sentimental man, but he spent a good six months as Liam's security detail, he's even willing to go as far as calling him a friend and he doesn't have many of those, if any.
At her words he feels a tight clutch of fear.
But he knows that what he feels after knowing Liam for six months is nothing to how Eleanor must feel.
After her father and Robert died, he knows that Liam was the only one left she could count on - that both of them felt it was them against the world as Cyrus took hold of the Crown illegally.
Once the paternity test results were announced, Liam was restored as rightful heir and his friend who Jasper still thinks of as boy, fresh out of school, because he is a child in so many ways, is now King of England.
Jasper swallows, and clears his throat. "If Liam needs me - if you need me - I'll come back," he tells her.
She still has her hand clasped tight in his, even if she's not consciously aware of it. In his hand, her palm feels sweaty and he's sure that she's on something. Which for Eleanor would be entirely predictable given the current circumstances.
"Thank you," she says, and she sounds genuinely thankful that he's deigned to return again.
She knows she hurt him and she had been afraid that he would make her beg for him to come back.
"You can't tell anyone what I've said about Liam. It hasn't been announced that he's ill yet and won't be until later this week. And when it is a media circus will very likely break out which Liam doesn't need right now," she adds, her brows knotting together.
Normally Liam is perfectly adept at handling the media but the thought of him being so unwell and having to deal with media harassment makes her unreasonably angry. And protective of her brother.
"I know," Jasper nods, because he'd figured as much already. And he's ready to fight for Liam's right to privacy, for his right to be allowed to be treated and recover without worrying about intrusion into his private life.
Eleanor suddenly seems to recollect that she still has her hand in his and withdraws it abruptly.
"Jasper, I appreciate what you're doing for Liam and for me in agreeing to come back to England and resume your duties at the Palace. Liam considers you a friend to him, a good friend, and he needs that right now," she tells him earnestly.
She leans forward into the glovebox and takes out a tissue and wipes her nose, and he's not sure if it's talking about Liam or the line of cocaine he's pretty sure she did not long ago that's making her sniff. Both, he suspects.
She shifts in her seat looking uncomfortable, and looks at her hands as she clutches the tissue. "I know that whatever we had between us was messed up, and that we were messed up, so I think its best if try to keep a relationship that's professional between us. Or even if we could try to be friends. I don't think I can try be anything else to anyone right now because Liam needs me and I need to give him all of my time."
She turns and looks up at him then, "We don't have anyone else you see - only each other," she says simply, trying to make him understand.
He does understand this all to well already. And he understands why she's disregarding her mother's existence. Because a mother who's spent 21 years ignoring and belittling her children and ten months deciding to be a mother isn't much use in a crisis.
Jasper sits back in his seat and regards her steadily.
"I can't pretend that what happened between us never happened, or that it wasn't a relationship because it was," he tells her.
He sees her open her mouth, and he suspects she's going to tell him it wasn't, but then she thinks better of it, and abruptly shuts up.
"But if you and Liam need me there on a strictly professional basis, I can do that," he tells her.
He's not sure whether he can do friends with the Princess, because seeing her here in the flesh today just reminds him of how much he wants to have her in his arms, cover her lips with his and take her again and again. That urge hasn't lessened any with time and distance, unfortunately.
Eleanor nods and leans back into her seat, feeling suddenly exhausted at the thought that she's not even half way through what she needs to do today.
"I have to go back to London today," she tells him. "I can't be away for too long at the moment given Liam's condition. Will you come back with us on the jet today or do you need a couple of days to arrange things here?" she asks.
"Yeah I'm gonna need a day or two to get my shit in order," Jasper replies.
"Of course," Eleanor replies. "James will arrange a flight for you then. Business class. No doubt he'll be in touch with the details."
Jasper nods and takes that as his cue to leave, and starts sliding out of the car door.
"Thank you, Jasper," Eleanor says politely once he's standing by the car door.
"Princess," he replies in acknowledgement, returning to the formal greeting he would use in public when he was her security.
James is waiting by the car door and nods at him as steps away from the car.
A few seconds later Jasper's watching as the car silently pulls away bound for LA International airport with James behind the wheel, while he contemplates what exactly it means that Eleanor Henstridge is back in his life again.