Disclaimer as usual...
This is a not so nice chapter, but it is necessary for the plot. Without drama there can't be a happy end, so please don't hate me for this.
In 4 days it's time for my oral exams. I will try to update beforehand but I can't promise anything.
Thanks to Alice Vampire for her support (and virtually kicking my butt countless times so I would study more ;)) and thanks to jazzie-luvs-me-22 for continuous reviews.
(btw. It is Sunday so I totally forgot to add to the last two chapters that they all attended church in the course of the day)
Tenth chapter
Major Jasper Whitlock was trying to finish a letter. He had sat at it the whole morning after service and thrown out three tries already. Every time he would try to concentrate he saw in front of him a pair of bright green eyes looking up at him in wonder. Those eyes brought back the two dances he had shared with their owner.
The second set of dances they had shared had been a surprise not only to himself but to the whole room. He still could not believe he had acted that way. To dance two sets with one lady would show harmless preference for someone who had danced every set, but for him, who had barely danced at all, it was unacceptable behaviour. In town it would be laughed and gossiped at, but at a country dance… he would surely be expected to propose within the month.
An expectation he could not fulfil since he was honour bound to another. He would not have thought himself at risk since his head was set to fulfil his obligations. Seemingly his heart was not guarded well enough by reason to not feel foolish sensations towards another than his bride.
His bride, Miss Maria, was the beauty of Spanish Town. He had been stationed in the West Indies at the time and – flattered with her attentions, stupefied by youth and anxious to live on the brink of war – he had proposed within a month of their acquaintance. She had agreed to make him the happiest of men, but asked for secrecy in fear of her father's reaction.
He had thought himself in love, but now, five years the older he knew he never was and worse, never could be. He had found his future bride-to-be shallow and foolish, lacking in wit and improvement. Her accomplishments were as scarce as her virtues.
The time when he would not have been agreeable to her father was long gone. Now he had a fortune, a secure place in life and the reputation of a hero in war, but the engagement remained a secret still. He would have to visit Spanish Town to openly court her and ask for the consent of her father. At the time he could name his duty to his regiment as the factor to limit his travels, but this would only be an excuse for a short time longer. He could break the engagement, but that would not only smirch his honour but destroy his self-esteem in the same process. No, he had pledged himself and he would follow through as long as the lady wished it. With a discontented sigh he took another sheet and prepared his pen.
My Lady,
I hope this letter finds you in good health. My duty has now
placed me in camp near the small city of _____. After the
fulfilment of this assignment I plan to beg my superior for a
long leave since I have been unable to take one for some
time.
I would be grateful if you would welcome me with a loving
heart on my long awaited return to Spanish Town.
Your sincere friend,
Jasper Whitlock
Discontented with his life and his own wrongdoing he sealed the letter and placed it on his desk to send as soon as possible. It was then that his officer in attendance announced his visitors.
Did you recognize poor Edward Ferrars from Sense and Sensibility? I hope so. There are some similarities.. both are shy, nice guys... at least Jasper has not the inconvenience of a selfish, greedy mother...