He grabbed her wrist and yanked her backward.
Nostrils flaring, fist up—without thought—Jasmine punched him square in the nose. A sickeningcrackfollowed, and a shock of pain traveled up her arm. Lord Rothwell howled and clamped one hand to his face as blood gushed down into his mouth. Spluttering and groaning, he tightened his grip on her wrist. Cursing, he dragged her close enough to his face for her to smell the metallic tang on his breath.
“I’ve done everything right. I’ve brought flowers and danced for years, and now, you will submit tome—”
“My daughter does not submit toanyone.” Her mother’s voice pierced the air like a blade. “Drop your hand before I remove it from your body, Lord Rothwell.”
Lord Rothwell released his grip. Eyes wide, he stepped back. Jasmine held her throbbing wrist with her split fist. Mother approached with her hands clenched into fists, as if prepared to strike too. Feral rage radiated from her, and Jasmine feared forLord Rothwell’ssafety.
“You are no longer welcome in my home, nor in my sight,” shegrowled, her every word dripping poison. “My husband will be hearing of this.”
“He’s not the only one,” he snarled back at her. “Everyone will know what happens under this roof.”
Holding his nose, he turned on his heel and left them alone in the hall. Silence descended upon them, with only the sound of their unsteady breathing filling the space.
“That is your starred suitor.” Jasmine pointed down the hall with her shaking hand—already bruising. “What a gentleman!”
Mother’s voice broke. “Did heevertouch you like that before?”
“No.” Jasmine trembled, and she forced the words out. “But I knew something was wrong about him. That’s why I didn’t marry him the first time! Or the other four times you let him court me!”
“You didn’t tell me.” Mother shook her head. Denying it still! “You should have told me!”
“I tried—you didn’t listen!” Tears welled in Jasmine’s eyes. “You never listen to me!”
“Speak louder!”
Her mother’s shout echoed in the hall. Tears streamed down her face, unashamed and concerned. Jasmine had never seen her mother cry. She choked back a sob.
“If you’re listening, you should know Don Lorenzo is constantly looking down my dress. If anyone is likely to mishandle me in the future, it’s him.”
Mother reached for her hands and held her as gently as she would hold a newborn. “Don Lorenzo is highly valuable to your father. You cannot insult him—orstrikehim—without considerable political damage.”
Jasmine gritted her teeth. “It’s worse to have me lead him on! He does not take no for an answer.”
“We will make him take no for an answer.”
“Allow Matthew to propose and that’ll happen sooner.”
“We’ll discuss it while we put some salve on that bruise, and ice on your hand.” Gingerly linking their arms, her mother guided her down the hall. With a raised brow, she asked, “Who taught you how to punch like that?”
Jasmine smiled and gave credit where it was due.
“Matthew.”
Chapter Seventeen
Matthew arrivedthirtyminutes early and waited on King Street for Almack’s to open. Dressed in the Almack’s uniform—a black evening coat, a white cravat, and wool knee breeches—he stood in line with identically dressed gentlemen, all searching for wives.
His first opponent was at the front door. The pompous doorman doubted his entry voucher, claiming it to be a forgery or a mistake. The Lady Patronesses were strict with their vouchers. A libertine like Matthew wasn’t welcome in their space, but he fought hard to be there.
He went to mythological lengths to gain an audience with the Lady Patronesses. Hades himself would have an easier time pleading with the Fates than the word-weaving he had to perform. After hours of debate, he finally broke ground when he asked that they take pity on his sister—who shouldn’t suffer for his moral failings. They unanimously agreed that it would be an act of public service to have Caroline married and away from his influence.
And so, they allowed him in as her chaperone. But the moment he walked through the door, Honora marched up to him and promptly kidnapped Caroline. With the air of a woman prepared for war, she expressed her full support of his pursuit of Jasmine.
“I’m here to helpyoutonight. Whatever you need.”
Though perplexed—and admittedly unnerved—at her sudden drive, he wasn’t complaining. He needed as many allies as he could get.
