“Nevermind him. You and I will have the afternoon to ourselves, it seems. What do you say, would you like to promenade through the park later?” Cassandra’s eyes misted over, and she groaned. “Perhaps first we could get an ice? I would kill for a lemon ice.”
“Yes.” Jasmine returned her smile. “All of that sounds lovely.”
A knock on the doorframe signaled Mr. Davis’ presence. He entered the room and presented Cassandra with an off-white card. She took it from him, and her eyes roamed the card. She sighed. “The ice will have to wait. Lord Bolderwood has summoned my husband.”
“Would you like me to run it down to the docks for you?” Trevor asked through his full mouth. He took two big gulps of his tea and then said, “I’m headed there anyway.”
“How about we all go? I haven’t seen it since the last expansion.” Cassandra turned back to Jasmine. “Would you like to see the factory?”
Chapter Five
God, she’s still so damned beautiful.
Matthew lunged forward. Seth feinted to the side and stuck out his foot. Matthew tripped over it and lost his balance. Taking advantage, Seth gave a lightning-quick strike to his back, toppling Matthew to the mat.
“That’s point one for Mr. Reeves,” Zeke called out from the edge of the ring.
Matthew rolled onto his back, grateful they had invested in the softer padding.
The boxing room was an early addition to the factory, but necessary. Followingthe incidentwith Sir Reginald, there were few things that Matthew hated more than himself. Instead of falling into melancholia, he was unexpectedlyangry.
He had meant to propose to Lady Jasmine Sinclair upon her debut. Then his parents died, and he assumed the title of Viscount with all of its financial burdens. Years later, he had earned a fortune from a rifle invention and finally had the means to marry her—only to become the most hated man in the kingdom, and watched her sail away.
In the following weeks, he carried himself as if he had a thorn in his shoe. Between the demands on every single minute of his time and lack of sleep, he sometimes lashed out.Said things he didn’t mean.
Said things hedid.
Seth said his aggression was normal, but it needed an outlet.
They had spared no expense in the training room’s construction.Striking dummies and punching bags lined the walls. The room was sectioned off from the rest of the factory, with an open door to the alley allowing air in. The cool brick walls had absorbed the smell of rotten fish and stagnant water from the nearby docks. He spent so much time here, maybe he absorbed it too.
Maybe that’s why she’s not interested.
With a shake of his head, Seth grabbed Matthew’s hand and helped him to his feet.
“Am I going to be your punching bag every time you and Lady Jasmine fight?”
“No, because we won’t fight again,” Matthew said. “I got the message last night and this morning. I doubt she even likes me anymore.”
“You could be less aggressive,” Zeke offered. “It might help to be nice to her.”
Matthew rolled his eyes. “Helpful advice as always.”
Compared to the half-dressed men in the ring, Mr. Ezekiel Sanderson stood pristine in a tan suit, put together and ready for paperwork.
“This is all simple,” Zeke said. “You care for her. You’re titled and wealthy. Breakfast notwithstanding, Lady Jasmine used to like you. Send flowers and go ask for her hand.”
“Why ask?” Matthew scoffed. “I’m not going to waste my time with a woman determined to marry another man.”
Matthew challenged Seth again. Elbows up, he blocked Seth’s advance andwaited. After three punches, Seth left his right side open—and Matthew landed asolidstrike against his ribs.
Seth grunted, then took a step back and rubbed the reddened skin from the blow. Breathing through his teeth, he said, “I agree with Zeke. Stop being a coward and ask her to marry you. Your name is likely on that list!”
“And it has been for years! Jasmineneverpicked me. It became a running joke.” Matthew gritted out, “Perhaps a direct refusal, for old time’s sake?”
“You’ve changed. Maybe it’s fair to say she has too,” Seth said.
“She’s changed plenty,” Matthew grumbled. No longer soft and sweet, but bitter as chocolate. It was maddeningly attractive. Sucking in his cheek, he admitted, “I don’t know where I would start.”
