“So you’re doing it now,” he said.

She shrugged. “I’m trying. I couldn’t protect Anne. I don’t want to see Thomasina hurt.”

Jasper opened his mouth to respond, but before he could there was the sound of a clearing throat at the door, and then Thomasina’s voice said, “Juliana?”

All the color bled from Juliana’s cheeks and she pivoted to face her sister in the entryway. “Thomasina,” she gasped, her breath short.

Thomasina entered the room, her gaze focused on Jasper and Juliana. Normally he could read his wife’s expression, he had become adept at parsing out the fine movements that told him her desire or her happiness or her fear. But in that moment she was emotionless. It was only the paleness of her cheeks and the tightness of her smile that made him realize she had likely heard some of their conversation.

It was evident from how Juliana’s hands shook that she knew it too.

“I didn’t see you there,” Juliana said, coming closer to her sister.

“No, I think you didn’t,” Thomasina said softly, and her stare held Juliana’s for a long moment. “Do you mind if I have a moment with my husband?”

Juliana nodded, but as she moved toward the door, Thomasina caught her hand. They stood, eyes locked, and then Thomasina squeezed gently. Juliana seemed to relax and then exited the room.

Thomasina sighed before she shut the door behind herself. Jasper smoothed his hands against his jacket as he watched her begin a slow stroll around the perimeter of the room, looking at all the books on the shelves. “Did you and your father enjoy your walk?” he asked.

She jerked her face toward him and gave a wan smile. “You know he is always a pleasure. I did convince him to stay two more weeks, to at least look like he gave a damn about his missing daughter once the truth comes out.” She shook her head. “So it was not for nothing.”

“Good,” he said.

“Do you want to speak to me about what you and my sister were talking about when I came in the room?”

He pressed his lips together. “About you.”

“Yes.” She moved toward him. “She ought not have come to you to speak about me. I am an adult, after all. My marriage is not her business.”

“She worries about you,” he said softly. “Don’t be too hard on her, it is a kindness not every person has from a sibling.”

Her gaze relaxed a fraction and she sighed heavily. “I know she worries. It is her nature to look at each situation, find the problems and then try to fix them. I still object to her involving herself in my marriage.”

He tilted his head, for this was a rare glimpse at a Thomasina who didn’t want to please. She was angry, though she barely showed it. But there was a fire in her eyes that drew him in.

“Will you tell me what was said?” she pressed.