Chapter 20
Jasper folded the letter slowly, his expression unreadable. He set it beside him on the armrest of his chair.
“He is not unsympathetic,” he said at last. “But he is… exacting.”
Thalia tilted her head, her voice cool. “That letter did not read as sympathetic.”
“No,” he allowed. “But it wasn’t unkind. Sebastian rarely expends sentiment. He prefers to express himself through expectation.”
She rose from her desk and crossed the room, coming to stand beside him.
“He suspects something has changed.”
Jasper glanced up at her, his expression softening. “He suspects I’ve stopped sending reports because I no longer trust myself to write them honestly.”
“And have you?”
He looked at her then, fully—no performance, no detachment. “I believe I have.”
They stood in silence for a moment longer.
“He will expect a reply,” Thalia said quietly.
“Yes,” Jasper agreed. “He will.”
He reached again for the letter, folded it once more, and laid it flat against his palm.
“Well,” he murmured, with the faintest trace of dry humour, “it appears the family account is due.”