The glass of punch fell from her hands, landing soundlessly on the carpet below. Stumbling, she reached for the wall to steady herself. Her stomach heaved. The edges of her vision blurred.
And Duke Kendall laughed.
“What did you—” her voice slurred. She opened her mouth to speak again, but couldn’t get words out. The room spun in a haze of color and light. Closing her eyes, she pressed her hand to the wall…
… or was it the floor?
“My dear, you look unwell,” Duke Kendall’s voice warbled in her ears, and shadows surrounded her. “My maids will see you to a place where you can rest.” He snapped his fingers. “Girls?”
Jasmine tried to take a step back—fought to stay awake. She opened her eyes as wide as she could, but they drooped. Pressure closed over both of her arms, then lifted. She struggled, but her body was heavy.
And then she was falling.
***
Matthew paced on the back terrace, breathing through his teeth. The wind burned his cheeks. Raising his face to the heavens, he prayed forpatience. He needed to apologize, and he would—when he calmed down. Even infuriated with her, he loved her. But damn it—she made his heart hurt.
Because Jasmine didn’t love him.
After all the work he did to earn her favor, hestillwasn’t enough.
The music from the ballroom carried into the open air. He should go back in. But what for? To watch Jasmine dance with Duke Kendall all night?
No, he wouldn’t stand for it.
He needed to box. Pummel something, or get some sense knocked into him—whichever came first. It was Saturday evening, so there would be a match at the Rookery. He would take part, no matter the cost.
Decision made, Matthew reentered the ballroom to say goodnight to his sisters. The stifling humidity of perfume and sweat covered the room. Once more, a crowd formed a circle around a dancing couple—murmuring and whispering. As he searched for his sisters, he caught scraps of conversation:lovely couple… golden pair… perfect match….
“Exquisite, isn’t she?”
Matthew clenched his jaw. Trying to ignore the whispering, he scanned the room for Cassandra and Caroline. And near the front of the circle, he spotted Cassandra staring helplessly at the dancers. Her gaze shot to him as he approached, and she glared.
As if his evening wasn’t unpleasant enough.
“Where have you been?” she hissed. “I needed you here!”
“I stepped outside. I needed air,” Matthew grumbled. He took in Cassandra’s distraught expression and released an exasperated sigh. “What is it now?”
But then he noticed Cassandra was alone.
A chill crawled over his skin. He shifted his gaze.
And in the middle of the room…
Duke Kendall waltzed with Caroline.
Caroline’s white dress fluttered like a dove’s wings with their graceful movement. Her golden hair glowed under the flickering lights, matching the gold rings adorning Duke Kendall’s fingers on her back. She glimmered like a diamond, as bright as the gleam in Duke Kendall’s eyes.
“How did this happen?” Matthew asked.
Cassandra’s voice trembled. “You weren’t here, and I couldn’t refuse him.”
Matthew cursed under his breath.
“It’s not your fault. I’ll take care of this,” he assured her. “Stay here and wait for me. I’ll have the carriage brought around. As soon as Caroline returns, we’re leaving.”
And first thing in the morning, his sisters would leave London.
