Emmett declared that he was going to wash and change before dinner. Jasper settled the horses, then had a long talk with Sam about the dogs.
Then he hung around the courtyard, kicking his heels and waiting for his squires to reappear, whilst trying to pretend that he didn't care about how long they were taking.
"What are we doing, sir?" Seth asked.
Jasper looked down in surprise. He hadn't noticed the boy was with him.
No, that wasn't quite right, he had shown the boy how to check the horses' hooves, he had corrected the way the boy was rubbing down Duchess. He had certainly noticed Seth. He had just become so distracted by wondering where Edward was that he'd forgotten all about Seth.
"Right now, we're doing nothing," Jasper admitted, "what we should be doing is sweet talking the kitchen to make sure they'll cook our dinner. Cook is not always very pleased when I bring in deer."
Seth laughed, "Cook doesn't like the rush, sir," he said, "there's not enough time to prepare meat on the day it's caught."
That made sense. Jasper wondered if Cook had thought him a fool for never noticing before. Of course, Jasper hadn't spent much time in the kitchen, and Cook would never have considered discussing her opinions of hunting with him. It simply wasn't appropriate.
"I assume that Cook doesn't want the distraction of a visit from me, right now," Jasper said.
Seth nodded, "you would be a great nuisance, sir," he agreed.
"Then we'll go and see Rosie shoot," Jasper said, "she always calls me a nuisance, so at least I know that I won't be unusually irritating to her."
With Seth by his side, Jasper strode over to the lawn, where he found Rosalie, practising her archery.
"Did you have a successful hunt?" she asked him, not looking his way, but focussing on the target as she loosed another arrow. It flew well, and stuck itself just left of the centre of her target.
"We did," Jasper said, "you would have enjoyed it. But, I see your time has not been wasted here. You're getting very good."
Now Rose did turn, to let her brother see her pleased flush. "Thank you, sometimes there is a slight pull to the left. Do you think it's the bow, or my grip?"
Jasper stepped closer, "let me see," he said.
Obligingly, Rosalie notched another arrow.
"Shoot," Jasper said, watching his sister's hands intently.
As she shot, he saw her lean very slightly left.
"Ah," he said, taking the last step and standing right beside her, "your arm slides just a little, you're not standing quite steady; move your front foot back, just a thumb's width. There, now try again."
He wrapped his hands around his sister's waist, holding her steady as she shot. This time there was no lean at all and her arrow sailed perfectly to the centre of the target.
Rosalie laughed with delight.
"You cannot always hold me when I shoot," she said.
"If he's unavailable, I would be willing to step in," Emmett spoke from behind them, "I would hold you whenever you wanted."
Jasper had been concentrating on his sister and not heard his friend approach.
Now he turned to face him.
"Sorry, Jasper," Emmett said, taking a step back, "I meant no offence."
Jasper hadn't even realised he'd been scowling. The wariness of Emmett's expression made him wonder about his own. How angry did he look?
Rosalie took over the conversation, "Sir Emmett, it is a pleasure to see you. My brother has been tutoring me, but perhaps you will favour me with your opinion."
She notched another arrow and looked over her shoulder to check that she had Emmett's full attention. She most certainly did.
Emmett watched as Rosalie shot, glad of the excuse to stare at her.
"Beautiful," he said, then he noticed Jasper's tight smile, which looked ready to turn back into a scowl, and he added, "a beautiful shot, Lady Rosalie."
Jasper frowned a little, he didn't much like the role of chaperone, it was more suited to mama. Right now, however, he had no choice. He could hardly leave Rosalie and Emmett alone. He suspected Emmett would be more restrained in mama's presence. He knew Rosalie would not lock eyes in such a manner if her mother was looking on. And, yet, neither of them were doing anything to which he could easily object. A man may look at a woman practising archery. That woman may look back at him and ask his advice. Clearly the role of chaperone is a complex one and one for which Jasper considered himself inadequately prepared.
He was most relieved when Bella arrived on the scene, dressed in a fresh outfit, followed by Alice, Jacob and Edward.
The atmosphere changed as all these new eyes came to see what was happening. It felt less private, less intense.
Jasper kissed his wife's hand.
"My love," he said, "have you come to shoot?"
Bella smiled, "would you mind my joining you, Rosalie?"
"Quite the contrary, you will improve the sport immeasurably," Rosalie replied.
Alice caught Bella's eye, "I'll run and fetch your bow," she said, darting off towards the house.
"Fetch my arrows, boy," Rosalie commanded, glowering slightly at Edward as she did.
Edward's eyes narrowed in response. He disliked being called 'boy', and was not fond of taking orders from anyone but Jasper. He walked slowly onto the field, towards the arrows.
Rosalie stomped a foot in frustration, then turned her back on Edward.
Edward hadn't finished his task when Alice returned with Bella's bow.
Irritated at the squire's slow service, Rosalie notched an arrow and let fly, allowing it to glide through the air, only a few paces from Edward.
He fell backwards in surprise and Jasper ran up to his sister.
"Rose!" he said, "you must not shoot when there's anyone on the field. You know that well enough."
Rosalie pouted, "he takes too long," she said, "and I am sure he does it deliberately to vex me."
Jasper sighed, "Jacob, help Edward fetch Lady Rosalie's arrows, quickly. I'll prevent her shooting at you."
Between the two of them, the task was quickly accomplished.
Jasper and Emmett watched the ladies shoot until the light began to fade, then the party dispersed. Rosalie and Bella went to Rosalie's rooms. Emmett went to discuss something with Carlisle. Jasper took the opportunity to have his own discussion with Edward.
"Edward," Jasper said, making the young man look up suspiciously, he hadn't done anything recently to earn being called by his name. "I may not return from my trip."
"Should I fetch a priest for this, sir?"
Jasper wasn't quite certain whether or not Edward was joking. The strange question gave him pause. Did Edward think that he was afraid to face death? Was Edward concerned for him?
But, Edward's face remained innocently questioning, while Jasper paused, and that convinced the knight that the boy was teasing.
"Impudent puppy," Jasper muttered. "No, that won't be necessary, I have been a knight long enough to make peace with my life. This is for your benefit, not mine. If I don't return, my father will probably sell you."
Had he not been watching carefully, Jasper might have missed the wince that jumped across Edward's brow, but he was watching closely. He saw the wince and he wasn't fooled when Edward laughed.
Of course, Edward was pained by the suggestion that he might be sold to anybody. That possibility had probably not occurred to the boy when he had taken the risky step of binding himself to Jasper's service. It was one thing to agree to serve a man you knew, and quite another to be sold to anyone who cared to offer a good price. Yet, it was a possible future, and Jasper wanted Edward to be as prepared as possible.
He wanted to give the boy a few pieces of advice before he left, to do what he could to ensure that Edward's future would not be too fraught. Father would be considerate, of that Jasper was assured. Edward's new place - should he require one - would be as a scribe or a steward, nothing strenuous. Yet, it would be a servant's role and any new master, however kind, would expect, at the very least, obedience.
It was understandable that Edward would want to dismiss this terrifying future with a laugh.
Still smiling, as though he thought that Jasper was fooled, Edward said, "My riding has most certainly improved, sir. Yet I find it hard to imagine any story in which I could return without you."
"You're not coming," Jasper said. He was surprised at having to say it. It hadn't occurred to him that Edward might be expecting to go to war with him. Edward, the child who could barely ride, the squire who was born to wear a coronet, how could he imagine that Jasper would take him on a campaign.
"Sir? My place is at your side."
"Your place is where I say it is," Jasper replied, not interested in discussing such a ridiculous prospect, "which brings us back to my original message. If I don't return, my father will sell you, and your next master will not indulge your ducal habits."
"Ducal habits, Sir Jasper?"
"Yes, Edward. You sleep as late as a duke. You assess my behaviour as if I were your vassal. Edward, you have a duke's voice, and I fear for you with another master."
Edward clasped his hands behind his back and looked at his feet, "does my tone displease you, sir?" he asked in a soft, humble voice. "I don't wish to annoy you, sir."
Jasper sighed, "I wasn't scolding you, Edward, you know that I am used to you as you are. I merely want you to be prepared, if need be."
"Yes, sir, I know that," Edward smirked up at him. "I was trying to demonstrate that I can curb the" he sighed "the 'impudence', if need be."
"You wouldn't call it impudence?"
"My father called it assurance," Edward said quietly.
Neither man spoke for a few seconds.
Jasper wondered about the life that Edward remembered when he talked of his father. Did he remember first his father's betrayal and death, or whatever ways his father had spolit him? Jasper did not doubt that Edward's father had spoiled him.
Then Edward returned to what seemed the more serious point, "why aren't I coming with you?"
"You wouldn't be an asset, and you might get hurt," Jasper said. "It's not a picnic, boy, not a treat to miss out on. War is messy and dangerous," he looked very much older as his mind took him back to a wet field, blood and screaming. With a great effort, the knight forced a cheery expression back onto his face and finished, "besides you won't be up early enough."
Edward scowled at his master's teasing.
"Come on, boy," Jasper said, "time for dinner. Meat tastes better if you've chased it down yourself."