“It’s a surprise, but I have big plans!”
***
Matthew didn’t have any plans at all!
The outing was as much of a surprise to him as it was to Jasmine, because he didn’t know the first thing about courtship.
Matthew stood over his desk, pencil in hand. The schematics of Duke Kendall’s pistol lay before him, but the lines blurred on the page. He couldn’t concentrate on anything other than Jasmine. Once a week, he could wait in the hall—with her other suitors—for twenty minutes of her time. At balls and soirees—and he would go to every singleoneof them—he could hold her for scant minutes. Every second with her needed to count.
Propriety stated she didn’t have to marry him; she had to marrysomeone. Her marriage of convenience offer could go to any other gentleman. Once society whispered toxins in her ear and she learned of his multitude of sins, how in blazes was he supposed to make her fall for him?
He hadn’t been able to sleep the night before, haunted by the memory of Jasmine underneath him. When she spoke Spanish in the wine cellar, he learned that her tongue was magic,his kisses felt like fire, and that her body wasmade for him. Every word consumed his thoughts.
Especially the echo of her breathing, “Quiero más.”
She wanted more, and he would give hermore—in five miserable weeks!
He gripped a fistful of his hair, and he inhaled through his teeth. Struggling to keep his thoughts clean, he returned his attention to the pistol’s diagrams. As he did, the door opened. Seth entered the office, bringing with him the scent of hot metal and smoke. Blotchy patches of oil stained the sleeves of his linen work shirt. Seth’s blue eyes widened a fraction when he saw Matthew.
“I thought you would be with Lady Jasmine.” Seth offered Matthew his hand. “I hear felicitations are in order! It’s a good match. Well done.”
“Lower your hand. Don’t congratulate me until she accepts my proposal.” Matthew tapped his pencil against his desk. “She’s not mine yet.”
“Yes, but that’s only a matter of time.” Seth frowned. “Why are you unhappy?”
“I’m not unhappy.” Matthew returned to the sketch. “I’m concerned about this. This pistol problem needs to be solved.”
“Thisis all but solved.” Seth took the paper from Matthew and placed it on his own desk. “The barrel needed straightening, and I’ve adjusted the trigger. It’ll be a smoother shot, most likely as accurate as you’re going to get without us starting over.”
“When will it be ready?”
“By the end of the day, I imagine.” Seth pursed his lips. “You canleave. When it’s done, I’ll test it.”
Matthew shook his head. “It needs to be me. I have to showcase it blindfolded at Duke Kendall’s birthday ball. I’m the guest of honor.He wants a performance.”
“You never should have gotten involved with Duke Kendall. He’sunholy.” Seth’s eyes narrowed. Voice low, he asked, “Do you suppose he will ask for something simple and safe? I would hate to see what Duke Kendall considers a parlor trick.”
“I can’t deny him, Seth—you know that. But that’s not all.” Unable to meet Seth’s eyes, Matthew looked at the floor. “I promised I would bring Cassandra.”
Seth stepped forward with lethal quickness. Matthew stepped back and flinched.
“That’s no longer your promise to make,” Seth ground out. Crossing his arms over his chest, he stared Matthew down. “My wife and my unborn child will not be attending Duke Kendall’s birthday celebration. I don’t care what the consequences are for you.”
The door creaked open, and Zeke walked in. The clink-clanking sound of the factory stole into the room before he closed the door. He glanced at Matthew and gave him a welcoming smile.
“I’m surprised to see you this morning, Lord Lincolnshire. I expected you would be—”
“I know damn well what you expected,” Matthew snapped.
Zeke’s brown eyes widened at Matthew’s sharp tone. He moved to stand in front of his desk and spoke to Seth as if Matthew wasn’t there.
“Viscount Lincolnshire is in a foul mood this morning.”
“You don’t know the half of it.” Seth paced around the room, circling Matthew. “He’s lost his mind.”
“Such hostility is unusual for a man who is to be wed.”
“He’s like a baited badger.”
