“There’s no point to it,” Cassandra said. “Because Matthew always wins.”
Jasmine glanced at Matthew, who gave her a one-shoulder shrug.
“Even against Seth and Lord Blackmoor?” Jasmine asked.
“Oh, yes,” Caroline chirped. “You’ll see.”
“We’llsee,” Lord Blackmoor said pointedly.
Cupping her hand, Caroline whispered into Jasmine’s ear, “Lord Blackmoor has never beaten Matthew. I bet he’s been practicing.”
“I can hear you.” Lord Blackmoor scowled at Caroline.
The danger of a pistol gave Jasmine pause, but if slight-framed Caroline could do it, so could she. And she was never one to turn down a good time.
Jasmine beamed at Matthew.
“You’ll have to teach me.”
“I will.” Matthew returned her smile. “You’ll be a sharpshooter in no time.”
From his waistcoat pocket, Matthew retrieved a notebook and a small pencil. He jotted down names, placed them in his hat, and then offered the hat to Seth.
Seth pulled out two slips of paper and read out, “Blackmoor and Caroline, you’re first.”
Caroline sauntered up next to Lord Blackmoor. With a gentlemanly roll of his hand, he gestured for her to go first. She lifted a pistol, aimed at a target, squeezed the trigger—
And missed completely.
Lord Blackmoor shook his head. He tapped her elbow and corrected her posture. Caroline shot again and hit the farthest circle from the center. She giggled and thanked Lord Blackmoor, though he made no response.
“Does his face ever move?” Jasmine asked Cassandra.
“Caroline says it does. She thinks she can read his expressions.”
“Can she?”
“Who knows?” Cassandra shrugged. “I judge his emotions by his actions.Adrian scowls and rarely speaks, but he cleared his schedule to be with us today. That says all it needs to.”
Jasmine studied Lord Blackmoor, and her mother’s words came to mind. In high society, every bite of gossip had a dash of truth in it. Before she became the lady of the house, she needed to know every skeleton in the closet.
“Mother thinks Lord Blackmoor fabricated evidence with Matthew’s case,” Jasmine told Cassandra. “That’s why she’s been distant.”
Cassandra’s eyes widened for a moment, then her face fell. “I see… I’m sorry to hear that.”
Jasmine’s brows furrowed. Her friend held secrets close to her heart, but she was incapable of lying to her.
“Cassandra.” Jasmine kept her voice firm. “Did Lord Blackmoor forge a journal to clear Matthew of murder?”
Cassandra was silent for a long while.
“We don’t question Adrian’s methods, but… I’ve always suspected it.” She spoke in a faraway voice. “Even if he did, it doesn’t matter. Matthew did what he had to. He saved my life, and Lord Blackmoor saved his.” Though she kept herself upright, her shoulders trembled. “What other choice did they have? That man wasn’t going to stop. Oh Jasmine, it washorrifying—” Cassandra choked. Tears collected in the corners of her eyes.
Jasmine rushed forward to clasp her hands. “Cassandra, darling, I’m so sorry.”
“Look at me, I’m nothing but a watering pot these days.” Cassandra dabbed at her eyes. “Today was supposed to be a good day.”
“Todayisa good day.” Jasmine waited until Cassandra’s eyes met hers. “I’m having a good day withourfamily.”
