“Haven’t the faintest idea why,” Matthew said to him.
“Children, please behave.” Cassandra sighed. “And Matthew, stop talking.”
“Two against one.” Matthew tsked. Turning to Jasmine, he said, “Do you see the disrespect I endure?”
“I agree with them.” Jasmine furrowed her brows. “You’re being cruel.”
Matthew inhaled deeply. He slowed their pace, increasing the distance between them and their companions.
“I’m being thorough,” Matthew explained quietly. “If he’s afraid of me, he isn’t the right man for Caroline. Look around you.”
As they walked, she studied each person they passed. She knew most of them. Women who simpered for her approval at tea parties clung to the edges of the path to avoid them.
“It’s hard to be related to us Coopers,” Matthew continued. “We need to marry someone fearless.”
Fearless.
That she understood. Jasmine also needed someone who would fight for her. Glancing at Mr. Langford—and how his eyes darted away from Caroline as they walked. He wasn’t brave enough to stand with them. She glanced down at her hand on Matthew’s arm and wondered what that made her.
“Does it bother you?” His expression softened with his voice. “Their treatment?”
Jasmine shook her head. “Hmph. Of course not. You know that I don’t concern myself with the opinions ofnecios.”
Matthew’s eyes shot to her mouth.
“What is that word?”
“Fools,” Jasmine said. That wasn’tquitecorrect, but it was close enough.
“No, say it in Spanish.” With his gaze fixed on her lips, he drew out his next word. “Slower.”
Coyly, she mouthed, “Necios.”
“Necios.”He repeated the word, as if savoring it on his tongue. He swallowed thickly, and his voice deepened.“Do it again.”
Eyes widening, Jasmine asked, “Do what?”
He leaned closer to her. Near her ear, he purred, “Talk to me in Spanish.”
A blush rose on the back of her neck. He was goading her again. Jasmine considered what she wanted to say to him. It was her turn to make him feel foolish. Feeling bold, Jasmine rapidly fired off, “Desde anoche he sentido el ansia de daros diez bofetadas, pues os portáis como un canalla.”
Matthew swallowed, and his voice came out hoarse. “What did you say?”
Airily, Jasmine replied, “I said you should be nicer to me.”
“What doescanallamean?”
Flushing to her ears, Jasmine lied, “A friend.”
“Canallameansfriend?” he asked slowly, his brows cinched as if he were working it through in his head. “I never would have guessed that.” He leaned in and teased, “You’ll have to teach me your Spanish words,mi canalla.”
“Whatever you do, don’t say it tonight at the soirée.” Jasmine heldback her laughter. “It isn’t proper.”
On the path, they approached two ladies Jasmine would recognize anywhere. Blonde-haired, blue-eyed, Lady Samantha Penrose, and petite, red-haired Miss Georgiana Davenport. Jasmine hadneverliked them. Lady Samantha had endlessly belittled Cassandra since their debut.
Lady Samantha’s cornflower blue eyes shot to thegroundwhen she saw them. Before, she had nearly tripped over herself to fawn over Jasmine. What would their next interaction be like? How long did this effect last? Testing her limits, Jasmine leaned more into Matthew’s arm and tried to meet Lady Samantha’s eyes as she passed.
“Good afternoon, Lady Samantha.” Jasmine greeted her as she walked past.
