Broken Promises Read Free Page B

shoulders. “You’ve never hurt me, Jasper. We’ve been over this before. I don’t blame you for what happened, not anymore.”
    “I know.” He reached up to caress her cheek, but his smile didn’t begin to hide the strain that pulled his features tight. “If only I could stop blaming myself.”
    “You can’t—”
    He shushed her, putting a finger to her lips. “Don’t worry, it doesn’t happen often. I think it was seeing you in here, hearing you talk about putting away your costumes and memorabilia. I wish I could convince you not to. I hate the thought that you’ve given up on ever dancing again.”
    The words stung, but neither one of them could afford to keep indulging in the fantasy that their lives would continue just as they’d been. She and Jasper had agreed to put the past behind them, but it seemed memory and regret were powerful divisors and would continue to throw a shadow on their marriage.
    With a shake of his head, he seemed to shut away his feelings until she no longer felt as if she were looking directly into his soul. Relieved and guilty, she took a deep breath and forced out a chuckle. “Do you think we’ve scandalized our servants enough for one day?”
    “No doubt.” He glanced past her. “Would you like some help with your packing?”
    She shook her head. “Actually, I think I had best leave it for another day.”

Chapter Two
    For God’s sake, he’d all but crumbled to pieces back there. She needed strength and support, not maudlin sentimentality. Instead of standing strong, he’d ended up burdening her with the depth of his regret and she’d been forced to offer him succor.
    Jasper headed for his study, thinking she would continue on into the morning room to check on the servants, but she turned back to him before he could disappear inside the dark room.
    “We can’t keep putting this off. I think our time is already about up.”
    His jaw tensed. “What do you mean?”
    “You know very well what I mean. General Black will come. I need you to train with me, show me how to protect myself. These limbs might be strong and fast, but in a real-life combat situation—”
    “There isn’t going to be any combat situation.” The very thought made him shudder. “I refuse to allow it. I don’t care what Black says, you aren’t getting involved in the War Office’s insane covert affairs. Malcolm and I have already agreed that if and when the bastard does show up, we will handle any mission he thinks to assign to you.”
    “You refuse to allow? ” She glared at him. “You and Malcolm have agreed on it?”
    He sighed. Perhaps he shouldn’t have brought their friend into the discussion. The former military captain wouldn’t thank him if he found out. “Don’t get angry. I haven’t lied to you or kept anything from you. It’s no secret I don’t want you dragged into that life. You have to know I wouldn’t let Black conscript you into service just because he likes the idea of having a new toy to play with.”
    “Because that’s all I am? A toy? Not so different from the doctor’s serviceable automaton, I suppose. I couldn’t possibly have a brain and make my own decisions. I only get wound up and set into motion by whoever turns the key and pushes me in the right direction.” The low rasp of her voice deepened, betraying her agitation, but the volume never rose above a conversational tone. “The only problem is I’m yours. Your toy. And you don’t want someone else to have a turn, do you?”
    “Don’t talk like that.” He reached for her arm as she moved to stalk away. “You’re my wife. I’m entitled to protect you from harm.”
    And I’ve done such a great job of that so far . It was no doubt exactly what she was thinking, too, but at least she didn’t say it.
    Only because she didn’t have time to.
    “Excuse me, milord and milady Carlisle?”
    Callie didn’t even blink, staring him down.
    Jasper sighed and turned to the housekeeper, who waited with a