“It was,” he acknowledged.

She was vaguely disappointed. He didn’t seem like the kind of man who would fall back from a challenge. “You didn’t need his permission. I’m of age. I can wed whomever I choose.”

“Quite so. Which brings us to where we are today.” Jasper looked into her eyes. “I ask you again, do you still want to marry me?”

She bit her lip.

“Before you make your reply, I should warn you that failing to tell you about my call on your father isn’t the last mistake I’ll make. If you shackle your fate to mine, best prepare yourself for something less than perfection.”

“I don’t expect perfection.” She doubted whether the quality existed either in herself or in others. “And I do still want to marry you.”

The muscle in his jaw relaxed; a subtle indication of his relief.

Had he actually thought she’d change her mind? All because he hadn’t told her about calling on Papa?

She wasn’t so unreasonable as that.

The omission had hurt her a little, but it didn’t change how she felt about him. He was a good man; she was sure of it.

And besides, what gentleman didn’t withhold things from his wife? It was maddening, to be sure, but not at all surprising. In Julia’s limited experience, married people rarely existed on terms of equality.

The most a woman could hope for was to wed a man who was kind and understanding, and who—if she was lucky—might make her heart beat faster.

Jasper had those qualities in abundance.

“What happens next?” she asked him.

In answer, he took her hand in his. His clasp was firm, but gentle. Far gentler than one might expect from a man so powerfully made. As if he held something infinitely precious in his grasp. “I have a plan,” he said. “If you approve of it, we can leave directly.”

She hadn’t expected him to ask her approval. No one ever consulted with her about anything, least of all her own happiness. The fact that he was doing so—especially now, when things were so fraught and every second counted—moved her beyond measure.

Her fingers curved around his, just as they had when he’d taken her hand in her bedroom at Belgrave Square. “What do you have in mind?”

“There’s a small church in Camden where we can be married. After that, we’ll go to King’s Cross. There will be a train leaving for York around four o’clock. My hope is that we can be on it.” His gaze held hers. “Is that acceptable to you?”

Julia nodded. “Yes. Only . . .”

“What is it?”

She gave him an apologetic look. “I might have to lean on you a little.”

His expression softened. “What do you suppose I’m here for?”

Warmth infiltrated her veins. There were a thousand things she might have said—a thousand emotions waiting to be expressed—but before she could formulate a reply, Jasper had released her hand and was up and striding toward the door.