At her weak whisper, his nostrils flared, but he kept his expression stoic as she continued, “I punched him, like you taught me, but my knuckles are split. And there’s a bruise around my left wrist.”
“There’s visible damage?!”
Imagining finger-shaped bruises on her body made Matthew’s blood burn. As soon as he left this building, he would hunt Rothwell down and give him some bruises of his own.
“Show me what he did.”
“Not here. I don’t want anyone thinking it was you.”
“I don’t care—”
“I do.” Jasmine shot him a glare. “We can’t fix your reputation if you do anything brash.”
“I thought you didn’t care about reputation?”
“I’m starting to see things differently. What happens in this building echoes outside of it. Reputation is a currency. I’m to be your viscountess. I want to donate to an orphanage in our name.”
“What does that have to do with anything?”
“There’s power in perception. I need you toprotectour reputation, not sink us further.” She lowered her voice. “And I need you to protect us. Lord Rothwell saw us, and he threatened me. Now, I don’t know what he’ll do.”
“He won’t do anything. I’ll take care of it.”
Jasmine eyed him warily. “Don’t hurt him.”
“I’m not going to hurt him,” Matthew promised. “I’m going toruinhim.”
***
Despite the heat, a chill ran through Jasmine at Matthew’s catlike smile. The sharp line of his jaw could have cut through metal. His voice was low and cold, and her father’s words came to mind:a man is capable of great wrongs if he thinks he’s right.
“What are you going to do?”
“I’ll purchase his debts. I assume they’re substantial, if he would go so far as assaulting you.” His lip curled at the word. “After that, I’ll own him. We’ll see how he talks once I have his purse in an iron grip. But first, I’ll make his word worthless. Tomorrow morning, I’ll have Blackmoor look into him. If he has a black mark, Caroline and Honora will spread that gossip.” Matthew shot a glance at Honora. “Right, Lady Worthing?”
“Gladly,” Honora assured them. “If there’s kindling, we’ll burn him.”
“Won’t that enrage him further?” Jasmine asked.
“If it does, I’ll handle it. I’ve dealt with a rabid dog before,” Matthew said. “There are other ways to solve disputes among gentlemen.”
“Donotduel for my honor,” she hissed. “It’s not that important.”
“Youare important. No one will threaten you and get away with it.” He held her gaze. “I doubt it’ll come to a duel. Men like Rothwell areweak. Once they’re reminded of their place, they stay down. Trust me, I’ll keep you safe.”
“I do trust you.”
More than anyone else.
Their conversation halted when they returned to her mother. Caroline and Don Alejandro stood across from each other on the ballroom floor. Violins rose with the orchestra’s first notes to a quadrille. Laughter and movement accompanied the tune.
“Thank you for returning my daughter,” Mama said. “You can’t stay now, Matthew.”
Matthew stood his ground.
“I’ll stay long enough for someone to explain to me why Caroline is dancing with the Spanish Ambassador,” he said to both her mother and Honora. “Need I remind everyone that she ismysister?”
“They’re dancing because he asked,” Honora cut in. “And she’s not your concern tonight.”
