When she closed her eyes, she saw Matthew’s hard body under hers, his hands on her thighs, and hismouthon herskin.In that last kiss, he had teased her with his tongue and skillfully controlled her movements, as if he had all the time in the world. Tender and sweet. As if it were their first kiss.
As if he loves me.
Her heart sank at the thought of him loving someone else. But it didn’t matter what had happened in the past. If he kissed her like that, he cared. No matter how wretched she felt about forcing his hand, at least the deed wasdone. She pondered her next problem. How was she supposed to look her father in the eye ever again?
Papa had taken a hands-off approach in raising her, unless the situation truly called for it. Even in those rare cases, he mostly sidedwith her mother. After he finished with Matthew, would he go to Mother first, or Jasmine?
After what felt like an eternity, two sharp knocks sounded on her door. Jasmine flinched when it creaked open, the noise shattering the silence of her room. Papa entered alone. He still wore his suit from the soiree, though he had loosened his silver cravat. With his face steeled into fine lines, he held his hand out, palm up.
“Give me the key.”
Jasmine’s cheeks burned. She retrieved the cellar key from her gloves and deposited it in his waiting hand.
Her eyes fell to the floor. “It’s not Matthew’s fault.”
“Yes, it is,” Papa said sternly. Then his tone softened. “It’s also yours.” He sat on the settee in her room and patted the seat next to him. “Come, daughter, talk to me. What drove you to this?”
Jasmine sat next to him. Unable to meet his gaze, she struggled with where tostart. Her eyesburned. Her breath caught in her throat. It had all beenso much. Her father’s kindness shattered her defenses. She tried to hold back her tears, but her words left her in shuddering sobs.
“You gave me amonth, Papa! One month! You both tricked me! And Mother! She’s going to have me marry Don Lorenzo or Lord Rothwell. I want to marryMatthew—” she choked. “And he’s not on her list—”
“Such importance placed on a scrap of paper,” Papa ground out. He released a controlled breath before he continued, “Though you and your mother might disagree, I am the head of this family. I decide who you marry, not alist.” Firmly, he said, “Breathe.”
Jasmine shook on her inhale, releasing the breath as slowly as she could. She took another breath and watched her curtains fluttering in the breeze. After one last shaky exhale, she wiped her eyes.
Quietly, she asked, “Did Matthew ask for my hand?”
“Yes, he did.”
“Did you give it to him?”
“I did.”
“Thank you.” Smiling up at him, she whispered, “Will we marry soon?”
Papa shook his head.
“No.”
Jasmine’s jaw dropped.
“No?Butwe—”
“Lord Lincolnshire assured me there is no reason for a special license.” His grey eyes hardened. “Did helieto me, daughter?”
Blushing, Jasmine shrank away from him and shook her head. “No, sir.”
“Then there’s no reason you can’t have a proper courtship.” Papa’s voice gentled. “Do you love him? Is that why you concocted this”—he coughed and averted his gaze—“elaborate setup?”
“I don’t know.” Jasmine groaned. “I care for him. Itrusthim. I know the family I’m marrying into. He’s a good man, he’ll be a good husband.”
“Are yousure?”
“Not you too.” Jasmine clenched her hands. “You know Matthew. You helped raise him.”
“Yes, and I know Matthew in ways that you do not,” Papa cradled her chin. Ensuring he had her attention, he said, “He’s strong-willed and intelligent. I’ve rarely seen another man exhibit control like his, especially during a debate. He’s calculating, and doesn’t make decisions unless he’s thought them through.”
“Those aren’tnegativetraits.”
