“Are they so interchangeable to you?” Jasper asked, stepping back from his future father-in-law with a scowl.

Shelley’s smile faded a fraction. “You ought not to talk, my lord. After all, you did not recognize that Thomasina was taking Anne’s place any more than anyone else in that room did, including me.”

Jasper set his teeth and growled, “Actually, I did. I realized it was Thomasina the moment she stepped into the room last night. I honestly do not know how anyone could mistake her for Anne. She moves differently, she tilts her head differently, she carries herself completely differently.”

“Made a study of my youngest, have you?” Shelley said, his brow arching. “And found yourself differences where I assure you none exist. But those feelings do tell me that you are not entirely unhappy with your change in circumstances. If you are trying to pretend upset in order to extract something extra from me, I will not negotiate. You are getting a fine settlement and a bride of the Shelley fortune, and that is what you asked for from the beginning.”

Jasper wrinkled his brow. The man was truly only about the business being done. His daughters could have been prized horses or barrels of whisky to be traded and he would have had the same disregard. And every time he saw that, Jasper couldn’t help but think of his own family. His father overly emotional, his brother driven by passion.

At least he’d known they cared enough to fight, whether it was physically or for something that mattered. He’d never really appreciated that fact until now.

But he pushed it all away and forced his strong reactions down deep where Shelley wouldn’t see them. Where they wouldn’t distract from the reality of Jasper’s situation.

He extended a hand reluctantly. “I am not trying to renegotiate, sir, I assure you. Our documents are signed, at any rate. And my man Reynolds has informed me that the special license will be ready for us before the wedding on Saturday.”

Shelley seemed satisfied and shook Jasper’s hand firmly. “Excellent.”

“I assume you plan to send someone to Gretna Green after Anne,” he said.

Shelley wrinkled his brow. “Why?”

Jasper stared at him a moment. “Because she’s run off with some unknown man, a potential villain. Don’t you want to know her whereabouts? If she reached her destination? If she wed as she thought she would?”

Shelley shrugged. “I’m sure she did, for that was the plan and Anne has a way of getting what she wants. The gentleman may not be as elevated as I hoped for her, but I’m certain we’ll determine his credentials soon enough when she returns with him.”

“You’re so certain she will return?” Jasper asked.

Shelley nodded. “Of course. She and the new husband will no doubt want to convince me that she still deserves her part of the dowry settlements.”

“You think this is all about the money for her, for this man, and that doesn’t trouble you?”