Matthew’s face hardened. “What about love?”
“What about it? Not everyone gets to marry for love.”
“The woman who boarded that ship for Spain wanted love,” he accused. “You searched the world for it, and now you’re settling without a fight? What happened to the Jasmine who demanded perfection?”
“She didn’t find it!” she snapped. He flinched. She didn’t care. “And now, I am left to choose the least objectionable gentleman on my mother’s list.”
“Least objectionable?” Matthew scoffed. “Do you hear yourself?”
“Matthew!” Cassandra scolded.
“No, let him say what he needs to, Cassandra.” Jasmine met his eyes. Steaming, she focused all of her pent-up frustration on him. “Do you have a problem with me being at this table, Matthew?”
“I have several problems with what you’re saying,” he parried. “Has anyone proposed?”
“Not yet, but Mother believes many could be convinced.”
“If a man has to beconvincedto marry you, it means he doesn’t love you—”
“Oh, isthatwhat that means?!” Her words were sharp as a whip, aiming to hurt. “You are one to talk! Where isyourwife, Matthew? Where is your great love? You at least have choices. What I do with the few I am afforded are my concern. So yes, I will choose theleast objectionableman and be done with it.”
Matthew’s eyes widened, but not with the hurt she was expecting. Instead, he seemed to ponder. He kept his eyes firm on hers, and his voice lowered.
“Unbelievable.” He enunciated each word slowly. “You’ll marry someone you don’t love.”
“I’ll do what I have to,” Jasmine spat.
His tone sharpened. “What has your father said about the matter?”
Jasmine frowned, taken aback at the change in him.
“He hasn’t said anything to me.” But then, he rarely left his study. “My father doesn’t have strong opinions about anything.”
“I’ve heard his strong opinions before,” he said. “He’s an excellent conversationalist. Perhaps I’ll call upon him this afternoon.”
Matthew lifted the paper to his face once more. Jasmine huffed.There he was, hiding.
Again.
You’re a coward, Matthew Cooper.
Caroline clapped her hands together. “Well, this is uncomfortable!”
Cassandra pursed her lips, her eyes darting between Jasmine and Matthew. Those seated wore similar expressions of unease, as if someone had dropped a snake on the table. Mortified, Jasmine slumped in her chair. She fought the dual instincts of running from the room and hiding her face in her hands. Not only had she intruded…
She ruinedbreakfast.
“Now, now. No need to be upset.” Caroline shot her eyes to Matthew, still obscured by his newspaper. A quick smirk crossed her face before she returned her gaze to Jasmine and beamed. “Whenever you marry, we will happily be your bridesmaids. Isn’t that right, Cassandra?”
Cassandra smiled and reached for her hand to give it a squeeze. “If that’s what you wish.”
Soothed by Cassandra’s tone and her soft gaze, Jasmine’s sharp edges eased. Cassandra’s gentle strength always had that effect on her. Any other woman might have crumbled under the weight of Cassandra’s life, but she was happily in love. She had loved Seth for most of her life. Love was right in front of her the entire time.Lucky.Even years after their wedding day, whenever Cassandra looked at Seth, sheglowed.
Jasmine’s jaw dropped. Her next thought slipped out of her. “Cassandra, you’re expecting?”
Cassandra flushed scarlet, and another hush came over the room. Seth sheepishly put his hand on the back of his neck and rubbed slightly. With a shy grin, he said, “We were planning on making an announcement—”
An eruption of noise interrupted his words, and everyone rushedforward to offer their congratulations. Caroline embraced her sister, and Matthew got out of his chair to wrap his arms around both of his sisters. He gave Cassandra a peck on the top of her head, then shook Seth’s hand. Seth looked at his wife, proud, and Cassandra beamed at him with pure happiness in her eyes.
