Matthew’s next blow connected with Seth’s jaw.
Seth’s blue eyesflared,and he swiftly grabbed Matthew’s arm, swept his leg behind his knees, and shoved him face-first into the platform. Landing hard on his elbows, pain shot through Matthew’s arms, and he groaned. His next breath was a sharp hiss as he rolled onto his back.
“We’re done. Whatever this is, take it out on the bag.” Seth rubbed his chin with the back of his hand and grimaced. “Be prepared to hear it later from my wife about why her husband is coming home bruised.”
“Why wait until later?” Cassandra’s voice carried.
Matthew jolted to a seated position to meet his sister’s eyes. Arms crossed, she glared at him, and standing next to her was—bloody hell—Jasmine.
Her face reddened. She stomped her foot forward and shouted, “I might have stayed in Spain if I knew I would receive such a warm welcome!”
Hands clenched into fists, she stormed out of the training room andinto the alley.
Matthew stumbled to his feet and slid between the ropes to follow her. He shot a scathing look at his sister along the way, who matched it.
Good to know she would benohelp.
The cool air hit his flushed cheeks as he stepped outside and searched for Jasmine’s green dress. He didn’t have to search far. She waited for him right outside the door. Using both of her hands, she shoved him and then poked her finger into his chest. Her eyes were aflame as they met his.
“If you’re so desperate to be rid of me, don’t you worry! I’ll be engaged by the end of the week, and I’ll gobackto Spain!”
He reached for her, and she stepped back. He ran his hands through his hair and took a deep breath. “Let me explain myself, at least.”
“Don’t bother!” Through her anger, her chocolate eyes tinged with hurt, and her lip quivered. “I missed you! I wanted to see you! When you danced with me last night, I thought you missed me, too.” Tears welled in her eyes, and she turned from him. “I don’t even know you anymore, Matthew.”
He reached for her again, but she didn’t see it. In a flash of skirts and quick strides, she ran from him. At the end of the alley, she turned onto the main road and disappeared.
That was all sheeverdid.
Heart-pounding and hurt, he whispered, “I did miss you.”
A series of small footsteps and an annoyed sigh alerted him to Cassandra’s presence. She looked to either side of the alley. “Where did she go?”
Matthew pointed and drawled, “That way. She took a left.”
“What is wrong with you?” With a hand on her hip, Cassandra poked him in the same spot Jasmine had. “If my best friend moves to Spain becauseyoumade an offhanded comment—”
Matthew slapped her hand away.
“Save your scolding.” Matthew met her glare with one of his own. “You’ve gotten bossier since you became a mother.”
“I’m scolding you because you’re acting like a child,” she snapped. “Whatever you did wrong, fix it!”
In the same aggravated manner, Cassandra followed Jasmine.
“You brought her here,youfix it!” Matthew yelled out at Cassandra’s back. She threw her hand in the air flippantly. His fingers flexed as she faded from view.
Seth came into the alley, wiping his face with a towel.
Matthew collected himself. “What did she want?”
“To give me this.” Seth sighed, holding a card in the air in his fingertips. “Lord Bolderwood hasinvitedus to Lord Dorchester’s soirée this evening.”
“Lord Dorchester is having a soirée tonight?” Matthew’s brows furrowed. “At the Sinclair Mansion?”
Why was Lord Bolderwood inviting them to the soirée andnotLady Dorchester?
“Foreign dignitaries will be there this evening, so brush up on your Spanish.” Seth crossed his arms and released a long breath. “Lord Bolderwood wants to parade us around.”
