“Because I’m taking that necklace off of you.” He removed his gloves and set them on the bed. He would never undo that small clasp with them on.
Resigned, she shook her head. “Mother insisted I wear it.”
“She can lose this battle.” He twirled his finger. “Turn around.”
Flushed, she did as she was told. She gathered her hair over one shoulder and lifted it above her necklace. She smelled heavenly, like a field of flowers. Her raven hair looked so soft.
“Can you see?” she asked.
“Well enough,” he lied. He couldn’t see anything at all with only one candle, but he wouldn’t let this opportunity pass him by.
He reached for her, then ran his fingertip along the necklace and her skin. Gooseflesh rose on her arms. Her neck warmed under his touch, and hewantedher. He grazed a fingernail over her pearls until it caught on the clasp, and he gingerly unhooked it. The pearls slackened, revealing dimpled skin left over from their pressure. Matthew rubbed the back of Jasmine’s neck with his thumb. She swallowed and released a sigh so sweet it tested his resolve.
He could steal one kiss, right where her neck met her shoulder. Glide his mouth up to her ear and take it between his teeth. Only a small taste. His fingertip trailed to the spot. Her breath hitched, and he leaned in. One… Kiss…
No.
He turned away and faced the window. If he stole one kiss, he wouldn’t be able to stop. He couldn’t take that chance. Not in Jasmine’s bed. Not with hundreds of his peers, Spanish diplomats,business associates, and a slew of potential customers downstairs. This was their chance to expand beyond England.
Butnoneof that mattered when Jasmine was sad.
She adjusted her hair to fall down her back, hiding her neck from view once more. She faced him and gave him a weary smile. “Thank you. That feels better.”
“I’m glad.” He nudged her shoulder with his. “Tell me what happened.”
“It’s nothing.” She closed her eyes and relaxed against him. “Another one of our fights. It’s all we do.”
“Do you want to get out of here?” he whispered. “I know of a servant’s passage that leads to the gardens.”
“We would never make it that far.” Jasmine shook her head and stood. “We should go downstairs.” She hesitated. “How should we go about that?”
“You go first,” he said. “I’ll sneak out later.”
She gave him a dubious look. “Are you sure you won’t get caught?”
“I came into your room with the utmost confidence that I could leave it,” Matthew assured her. “Don’t worry. I’ll find my way out.”
When she smiled at him, he had an overwhelming urge to kiss her on the cheek. The moment passed, and she walked to the door. When she reached for the handle, she paused. “I almost forgot my gloves.”
She went to her dressing table, opened a drawer, and searched for her gloves. She pulled out a pair and squinted. “Could you bring the candle here? I’m not sure if this is white or ivory.”
The flame swayed as Matthew brought the candle over to her and lifted it to allow her better light.
“Thank you.” Jasmine inspected her gloves. “I think these are the ones.”
One at a time, she slid her arms into the white silk. She pulled the fabric high over her upper arms, hiding her skin from his view.
What a shame.
He set the candle down on top of her dressing table. They stood in awkward silence, both waiting for the other to act.
After a while, Jasmine said, “I’ll see you down there?”
He nodded. “I’m right behind you.”
She walked away from him, opened the door, exited, and closed the door behind her silently. As he turned to extinguish the candle, a scrap of paper caught his eye. Further inspection revealed it to beexactlywhat he thought.
The list.
