She turned, meaning to slip away, but the widow’s sharp eyes found her at once. So did his.
“Lady Matilda,” Jasper drawled, as though her sudden appearance were the most natural thing in the world. His lips quirked. “You honor us.”
Her chin lifted. “Honor is the last word I would use here.”
The widow… yes, Matilda remembered now, the infamous diamond of some years past, gave a flutter of laughter and murmured something about fetching more champagne. She vanished swiftly, leaving Matilda and Jasper alone amid the silent rows of books.
Matilda crossed her arms. “Is this what you call honorable conduct? Luring widows into corners?”
“Luring?” His brows arched, dimples appearing as if to mock her. “My lady, I assure you, I was the one cornered.”
She narrowed her eyes. “You expect me to believe you were the innocent party?”
“Not innocent,” he said smoothly. “Merely polite. She seemed so determined, I had no wish to wound her pride. But then you arrived, all fire and silver, to rescue me. How very gallant of you.”
“I did not rescue you,” she snapped. “I only wish you to cease such… such rakish displays. It is an embarrassment for a man of your status.”
He stepped nearer, far too near, his height and presence making the air feel heavy. A loose curl had escaped her coiffure, brushing against her temple. He lifted his hand, and before she could retreat, he caught it between his fingers, twirling it lightly.
“Tell me,” he said softly, teasing lilt beneath the words, “was that concern I heard? Or…” his eyes glittered with mischief, “was it jealousy?”
Matilda’s breath caught, a shiver running down her spine. But she stood firm, though her heart thundered treacherously.
“Jealousy?” she repeated, her voice cool despite the warmth flooding her cheeks. “Do not flatter yourself, Your Grace. I would sooner be jealous of a black cat in the sun.”
He laughed, low and pleased. He tucked the curl back behind her ear with a care that made her tremble again. “You wound me, Lady Matilda. And yet somehow, you make it sound like a challenge.”
She forced herself to meet his gaze, grey fire against blue. “You mistake me. I issue no challenge. I simply wish you to behave as a gentleman should, if you even have any knowledge what that might entail.”
“And what a pity that would be,” he murmured. “For I much prefer provoking you.”
Their eyes locked, the silence taut as a drawn bowstring, and that was when the library door burst open.
“Matilda! There you are!” Cordelia swept in, with her cheeks still flushed from dancing. Mason followed, more composed, but with a look of genuine concern. “We could not find you in the ballroom. Are you quite well?”
Matilda straightened at once, willing her own cheeks to cool. “Perfectly well,” she said, though her voice came a touch too firm. She glanced at Jasper, then back at Cordelia and Mason. “Though I must say, your cousin has no idea what it means to behave like a gentleman in another’s home. He seems to imagine every room is his personal playground.”
Cordelia blinked, looking between them in confusion, while Mason raised his brows with interest.
Jasper gave a low scoff, folding his arms. “And this from a lady whose sensibilities are so fragile that she nearly swooned in the middle of a ballroom?”
Matilda’s eyes flashed. “I did not swoon.”
“No?” His grin was all provocation. “Forgive me. I must have imagined the pale face, the trembling hands, the desperate flight from the floor. Very convincing performance, though.”
Her back stiffened. “Performance? If I wished to perform, sir, I should not waste it on you.”
Cordelia gave a startled little laugh, quickly covering it with a cough. Mason’s lips twitched, though he wisely stayed silent.
Jasper stepped closer, his tone mocking but warm. “Come now, Lady Matilda. If you dislike my company so much, why chase me into the library?”
“I did not chase you.”
“Then you admit you were hiding?”
Her lips parted, but she caught herself before she gave him further victory. “If I were hiding, Your Grace, it was onlyfrom the stifling arrogance of men who think too highly of themselves.”
His eyes gleamed. “And if I am arrogant, what does that make you, to scold me as though you were my governess?”
