The wounded expression on his mother’s face gave him pause. “Sit. We’ll order tea, and Emma Jane and I will tell you about everything that’s transpired.” He used a gentler tone with his request, and he was pleased to see that Emma Jane had already rang for service.
He’d asked her to try harder with his mother, and despite the fact that they were going to end their marriage, Emma Jane was still being kind to the difficult woman.
His mother sat on one of the gilt chairs, and Emma Jane sat across from her on the sofa. He took a seat next to his wife, then placed his hand over hers.
Then, calmly, as though being kidnapped by bandits and escaping through a snowstorm was an everyday occurrence, he relayed their story. Fortunately, his mother was too busy sniffling through her handkerchief to interrupt.
The tea service arrived, and Emma Jane immediately rose to serve them all tea. His hand grew cold without her warmth, and he found himself hoping she’d hurry so she could join him again.
Abigail entered the room carrying Moses. “He’s been fed and changed, and I’m sure you’re eager to have him back in your arms.”
He watched as Emma Jane rushed over to her and immediately brought the baby against her. How could he have even suggested that she not raise this child? Her face glowed every time she held him.
“What is the meaning of this?” his mother demanded, looking at him rather than Emma Jane. “I know plenty of orphanages that can take the child. There’s no sense in getting attached.”
“Emma Jane is going to raise Moses,” Jasper said quietly, looking at Emma Jane rather than his mother.
Did she understand what he was trying to say? What he couldn’t say in front of his mother? He finally understood how Emma Jane felt about the baby, and hopefully, it wasn’t too late.
“Why would she do such a foolish thing? Do you have any idea what people will say?”
He hated how his mother sounded, especially when he saw the way Emma Jane cringed.
“I would hope that they would say what I believe to be true. That Emma Jane is a fine woman, with a good heart and that she’s doing a very noble thing by loving a child who needs a mother.”
Continuing to keep his gaze on Emma Jane, he said quietly, “And I wish I’d realized that sooner, before pushing her away.”
Then he looked at his mother. Taking a deep breath, he braced himself for his mother’s reaction. “During our time away, we realized that our marriage was a mistake. Once things are settled with the bandits, I’ll be speaking to Father’s lawyers about getting an annulment. Emma Jane did nothing wrong, and she shouldn’t be forced to marry me because of others’ mistakes.”
His mother turned a shade of scarlet that matched the lamp shade on the desk. “What kind of nonsense are you speaking? Have you any idea of the scandal it will cause?”
Jasper took a deep breath, then nodded. “I won’t have Emma Jane be miserable for the rest of her life. Scandal will blow over. But...”
“Miserable?” His mother rose, turning her ire at Emma Jane. “You were taken from a low station in life, brought into my home and given everything a girl could have possibly wanted, yet you’ve somehow convinced my son that it makes you miserable?”
“How could it not? When you speak to her like that and treat her as though she were lower than a servant?”
Jasper moved to stand next to his wife. “Emma Jane is the kindest woman I have ever known, and she’s tried so hard to do the right thing by all of us, yet none of us have given her the respect she deserves.”
Then he turned to her, blocking his mother from her view. “I am sorry. I’ve been blind to a lot of things concerning you, and selfishly only cared about how I was affected by it all. I have been the worst of husbands to you, and I deeply regret that I didn’t do more to make our marriage work.”
Tears rolled down Emma Jane’s face, and he reached out to gently wipe them away. “I’m sorry for all the times I’ve made you cry. I do not deserve a wife of your character.”
“A wife of her character?” His mother’s voice clawed at his back.
Stepping so that Emma Jane was by his side, he regarded his mother coldly. “If you had taken the time to get to know her, you would have realized that for yourself.”
“She is nothing but a gold digger. Need I remind you how much money your father spent to pay off her father’s debt, send them away and put her sister in that fancy boarding school? There’s nothing we can do about what we already spent, but if she thinks we’ll continue supporting them...”
“Then she is absolutely right,” he said smoothly. “I’ve already promised her as much, as well as a house and future support for her and Moses.”
Jasper held out a hand to Emma Jane, and she took it. “Even if it means giving up everything I have, I will keep my promise to you.”
More tears flowed down Emma Jane’s cheeks. He hated putting her in the middle of his fight with his mother, because none of this was about her. No, this was about Constance’s need to control everything. When he told Emma Jane about his mother’s losses, he realized just how much of his world she controlled. He’d done so much to please his mother, but just like Emma Jane working tirelessly to
