Rejection.
Seth’s eyes widened. “What wasthatabout?”
“I’ve upset her, but I truly didn’t realize—” Matthew bit the insideof his cheek. “She has never treated me like that before.”
Jasmine must have said something to her.If Lady Dorchester was in such a state, Jasmine would be worse.She must be exhausted.
They both had a long day, and they left each other on uncomfortable terms. He needed to clear the air, but now he couldn’t get her alone.
Unless…
If he couldn’t speak with Lord Dorchester about his intentions, and Lady Dorchester wouldn’t allow him to talk to Jasmine for the rest of the evening, Matthew would have to get a word in before dinner started.
He checked his watch. He had twenty minutes. Just enough time if he used it wisely.
“Seth, I’m going to step out for a moment,” Matthew said. “If anyone asks where I am, tell them I’m indisposed.”
“No one will ask, and I don’t want to know what that means.”
“It means I’ll see you at dinner.”
Seth shook his head. “Be careful.”
Discreetly, Matthew slipped out of the room and made his way through the halls until he reached a winding square staircase. His boots clipped against marble as he ascended the steps. Walking down the hall to Jasmine’s bedchamber, Matthew glanced up at the portraits on the walls of stoic and distinguished Dorchester Marquesses.
He used to invent names for them as a boy while he waited for his father to conclude business. Now, he couldn’t remember which were their real names and which he had made up. They were pale, with sharp cheekbones, and a wisdom in their eyes that put him at ease. Even younger portraits featured silver-haired Sinclairs. They greyed early, or the weight of their position caused them to age faster.
Thinking of Lady Dorchester, he scoffed.
Perhaps it’s their taste in women.
Matthew stopped in front of a broad oak door and checked to ensurethe hallway was empty. Satisfied that he was alone, he gave the knock of a servant. An exasperated groan sounded from the room, followed by an annoyed, “Enter.”
He entered and closed the door behind him softly. The sun had already set. The room was lit by the grey haze of dusk and a single candle flickering on the bedside table near Jasmine—as if she hadn’t the energy to light anything else.
“You may tell Mother I’ll be down shortly, Minnie. I’ll need another minute.”
She didn’t turn to acknowledge him as he approached, but merely stared out of a viewless window. Every breath was a labored, shuddering puff of air. Blotchy red spots marred her cheeks and the tip of her nose.
Matthew’s heart rebelled at the sight, and he wanted to gather her into his arms.
“She made you cry?”
She jolted. “¡Dios mío!” She put a hand on her chest and shot him a glare. “Matthew, what are you doing here?”
“I wanted to talk to you.” As he sat on the bed next to her, the feather mattress sank with his weight. He gave her a sad smile. “I won’t get another chance this evening. I’ve angered your mother by not sending you home.” His voice gentled. “Are you all right?”
“I’m fine. I forgot how overbearing she is.” Jasmine dabbed at the edges of her eyes with her fingertips. Matthew’s gaze followed the movement of her gloveless hand, and he realized how much skin was available to him. Her arms were bare from her fingertips to her shoulders. The low neckline of her dress left half of her chest on tantalizing display. And around her throat—pearls.
He wanted to trace them with his tongue.
Lovely.
But damn it looked uncomfortable. The pearls dug in and leftindentations on her skin. Couldn’t anyone see it was too tight? He couldn’t steal her away and strip her of the rest of her trappings, but he could fix at leastoneproblem.
“Turn around,” he said.
Her eyes widened. “Why?”
