“Matthew ispersona non grata,” she said. “You would think at leastoneperson could look past it, but so far no such luck.”
“Thank you, sister, for that invaluable input,” Matthew drawled. “Consider our conversation enriched.”
Caroline’s smile was bright enough to light up the room. “Lady Jasmine, welcome home!”
Jasmine brought her close in a crushing hug, returned with the same amount of force.
“I’ve missed you so much!” Perking up, Jasmine looked for Matthew’s other sister. “Is Cassandra here?”
“She’s in Mayfair with Seth and their children. They arrived this morning.” Caroline beamed. “Breakfast is tomorrow! You haven’t forgotten?”
Saturday morning breakfast was Jasmine’s favorite Cooper family ritual. The Coopers collected family like crows with shiny baubles. Every Saturday morning, they invited close friends over for an all-out rambunctious event with a full spread of delicious food. Informal and chaotic, but filled with love.
“I remember.” Jasmine smiled. “I’ll be there tomorrow, I can’t wait to see everyone!”
“We would love for you to join us.” Matthew leaned in and whispered low, “Muchhas changed in your absence, I can’t wait to show you what you’ve missed.”
Gooseflesh rose on her arms. Heat rushed to her cheekbones, her face surely as flaming red as the mask that hid it. The appraisal in his gaze sent a lightning spike of attraction through her. If he were any other suitor, she wouldn’t have tolerated it, but this wasMatthew.
And he doesn’t care.
When she first arrived in Spain, she had spent month after lonely month missing home. Night after night, in a foreign bed in a foreign country, she stared up at her canopy… wondering why Matthew was the only Cooper not returning her letters.
“We have plans tomorrow,” Mother reminded her sternly. “She’ll be too busy to attend.”
“My plans will be rescheduled,” Jasmine said with a demure smile. “As I’ve saidmultiple times, Mother, my priority this season is to spend time with my friends. It is mylastseason after all.” She raised a haughty eyebrow. “Isn’t that right?”
Before her mother could argue, a blond gentleman approached. Fit,composed, and dressed as a musketeer with a feathered hat and cape. He waited, as if hesitant to approach. After a breath, he squared his shoulders, then bowed to the group. To Jasmine’s surprise, instead of asking her to dance, the gentleman turned to Matthew.
“Forgive me for the interruption, Lord Lincolnshire.”
Matthew turned to the newcomer with an icy glare, a drastic contrast to the tenderness from moments before.
“Lord Croydon?” Matthew turned to the gentleman. “What is it that you require?”
“Might I have the honor of Miss Caroline’s next dance?” He flashed Caroline a brilliant smile. “If it pleases you as well, my lady.”
Matthewflicked his gaze to Caroline, who hid her face behind her fan. She communicated with him through a subtle glance and aminusculeshake of her head.
Matthew’s face split with a shark-like grin. As if negotiating a business deal, he said, “Certainly! You may dance with Caroline once you’ve cleared your gambling debts at White’s and when you stop neglecting your child in…” He paused, frowned, then turned to Caroline. “Where was it, sister?”
“Bath,” Caroline said under her breath.
“Bath,” Matthew repeated. “As you know, my sister Cassandra married a bastard. Our family has a fondness for them.”
Lord Croydon’s face turned red.
“Thenerve!” Charm lost, he stomped away.
Caroline and Matthew shared a smug smile as if toasting to one another as the man faded into the crowd. Turning to them, Caroline said simply, “My dowry could purchase five countries.”
Matthew shot a glare at his sister.
“What? It’s true!” Caroline said. “Matthew has to fight off fortune hunters left and right.”
“I’ve made a sport of it.” Matthew gave a slight lift of his shoulder. “Most gentlemen don’t stop atno, unless it’s afirmno.”
“It can be exhausting,” Caroline lamented.
