And Jasmine was… jealous.
She washideouslyjealous of Cassandra with her growing family. Jasmine was thrilled for her—of course she was—but it stung, and itfeltwrong. Cassandra was about to have her second baby… and Jasmine had only found one man to be perfectly tolerable. He stood like an island on the other side of the room, staring at her with amber-brown eyes that didn’t want her.
“Seth thinks it’s a girl,” Cassandra said, glancing down at her daughter. “He was right about Rose, so we’ll see.”
Matthew rolled his eyes and chided, “It’s not clairvoyance, Cassandra. It’s a fifty percent chance.”
“It’s a girl,” Seth assured him.
“You don’t want a son?” Jasmine asked.
Seth frowned. “I have a son.”
“Of course!” Jasmine tripped over her tongueagain. “I didn’t mean to say that youweren’tTrevor’s father.”
“I take no offense. He may not be blood, but Trevor’s mine.” Seth looked at the boy. “Isn’t that right?”
Trevor smiled in response. “That’s right!”
At the head of the table, tension eased from Matthew’s shoulders. Softer around the eyes, he took in the family he had created from scraps.
Uncle Matthew.
It suited him.
In Jasmine’s absence, he had grown into the title of Viscount. The wildness in him had been tamed to the point that he must besuffocating underneath. His eyes met hers. A controlled focus in his eyes flashed like steel, and it was gone again.
She used to be able to read him so easily.
He may as well be a stranger now.
The clock struck eleven in echoing chimes, interrupting her thoughts and the flow of conversation.
Lady Worthing stood. “We should be going, Caroline. We have a busy day.” Speaking to Cassandra, she said, “She has an appointment at Madame Fournier’s. Then, she’ll be promenading with M—”
“Mysistertoday!” Caroline interrupted. Her eyes darted to her sister, pleading. “After Madame Fournier’s, Cassandra and I will promenade through Hyde Park.”
“Very well.” Cassandra smiled knowingly. Turning to the head of the table, she asked, “What are you doing today, Matthew?”
Matthew set his paper down next to his untouched breakfast.
“Seth and I are boxing.”
“We are?” Seth squeaked. His gaze pivoted from Matthew to a frowning Cassandra and back to a glowering Matthew. “What I mean to say is, yes, we are!” Cassandra’s eyes narrowed at her husband. Seth’s lips curved up in a sideways, apologetic grin. “I’m sorry, sweetheart, I must have forgotten.”
Jasmine knew that was untrue—Seth never forgotanything.
“Well, best get to it,” Matthew said, standing from the table. Then, he strode out of the room.
“Oh, you mean rightnow.” Seth stood. He bent to kiss Cassandra on her cheek and pointed at Trevor. “Mind your mother. Don’t be late for work.”
One by one, everyone left the room, except for Cassandra and Trevor, who was halfway through eating a muffin. The only sound in the room was his chewing.
Jasmine worried her bottom lip. After a moment, she turned toCassandra and asked, “Is there a reason Matthew is cross with me?”
As if to herself, Cassandra whispered, “I wouldn’t call it cross. I believe it’s more complicated than that.”
She gave Jasmine a soft smile.
