“You could haveasked.”
For the first time in months, Matthew considered spending the night in his own townhouse. But that empty house wasn’t home to him anymore. Home was behind Cassandra’s front door, where there was an abundance of love and plenty of noise. The house was silent now. He stood at his sister’s front door, knowing she had left it unlocked for him—and he was too ashamed to walk inside.
How am I supposed to face them?
Making as little noise as possible, Matthew let himself into the house. As he approached the sitting room, the flicker of orange candlelight caught his attention. Moving closer, he heard hushed feminine voices, and he peered inside. Cassandra and Caroline sat cross-legged on the sofa in their dressing gowns, sipping from steaming teacups.
Giggling.
Matthew lingered in the doorway and watched. After their parents passed, when it was only the three of them, he often wondered if he would ever hear his sisters laugh again. Even when Caroline drove him to frustration or Cassandra tried to mother him, he loved them dearly.
How would he feel if someone trappedthemin marriage?
Cassandra lifted her head and noticed him in the doorway. She offered a welcoming smile. “You’re home late.”
“Or early, depending,” Caroline quipped.
Matthew removed his coat and folded it over the back of a chair. His sisters moved to either side of the sofa to make room for him in the center. Matthew settled between them and leaned back.
“Why are you two still awake?”
Cassandra sighed and rubbed her belly. “It’s getting harder to sleep. Seth is snoring. Rose climbed in with us, and shekicks.” She shook her head. “Sometimes I’m better off on the sofa.”
“And I’m enjoying a cup of chocolate with my sister, who I have not seen in months.” Caroline met his gaze with a raised brow. “Are you about to ruin that?”
Matthew whispered, “Yes, I believe I am.”
The weight of what he had done settled in. Now the initial shock and excitement had worn off, he was filled withdread.
Caroline’s face shifted to one of concern. She placed her teacup on the table and reached for his hand. “Brother, you’re trembling.”
Alert, Cassandra placed her teacup on the table as well, and focused all of her attention on Matthew. “What’s wrong? What happened?”
“I… I think I made a really big mistake.”
Cassandra gently took his face in her hands and met his gaze. “Talk to me.”
Where would hestart?
“I’m marrying Lady Jasmine.”
“That was fast!” Caroline exclaimed.
Matthew shook his head and looked away.
“I forced her into it.”
Caroline’s shrill voice pierced the room. “Youwhat?”
“Keep it down.” Cassandra held a finger to her own lips and shushed Caroline, then turned back to Matthew. Intently, she asked, “What didyou do?”
“At the soirée, Jasmine went to the wine cellar alone. I followed her, with the full expectation that we would be caught alone together.” Matthew took a shuddering breath. “And we were.”
Glaring at him, Cassandra hissed, “Matthew.”
“Don’t, Cassandra, please. Can we spare the lecture until tomorrow?”
“You’veentrappedmy best friend—”
