“As the new matriarch,” Honora said simply. “You earned my respect yesterday. Youfought back.” Her voice wavered, but then she hardened it. “To keep my respect, you need to be a viscountess in your own right. It’s a different world from debutante to titled lady. Marry Lord Lincolnshire, but rule society withme.”
“I don’t want to rule society,” Jasmine complained.
“Yes, you do. To fix the Coopers’ reputations, you need to control the narrative,” Honora said. “A woman’s words can break a man in one breath, and build an empire with the next—that is done byattending tea parties, and talking. But first, you need tolisten.”
They approached a trio of ladies, and Honora’s face softened.
“Good evening ladies.” With a firm push, Honora thrust Jasmine into the middle of the group, and she sang, “Ladies, allow me to introduce Lady Jasmine, a dear friend of mine.”
One lady appeared older than Jasmine’s mother, another, younger than Caroline, and the last somewhere in between. Like a hydra, they smiled with their mouths while watching her with wary eyes.
“Lady Jasmine, meet Lady Alverton, Lady Linwood, and Mrs. Winslow.” Honora gestured to each lady, from oldest to youngest. Jasmine struggled to remember their names, and she curtsied. “Good evening, ladies.”
“Lady Jasmine is looking into charitable causes to contribute to,” Honora said. “Might you be so kind as to share your endeavors?”
“I’m Lady Alverton,” the eldest woman said. “You have impeccable timing. I was just discussing workhouses near the docks. It’s atrocious the conditions those poor children are in.”
“Yes, there is always more that can be done for children, especially young girls,” Lady Linwood, the middle-aged woman, chimed in. “Too many end up in less reputable houses.”
“And we could reform those houses! Teach those women employable trade skills,” Mrs. Winslow turned to Jasmine. “Once you’re Lady Lincolnshire—” she stopped at Honora’s glare. Then, she gushed forth, “Pray forgive me, Lady Jasmine, I spoke out of turn.”
“Don’t mind Mrs. Winslow, she’s a newlywed. She sees love everywhere,” Lady Linwood explained. With an air of bored curiosity, she asked, “But perhaps it’s a matter of time…?”
Their eyes watched her with intent now. Not merely philanthropists, butgossips. Her eyes traveled to Honora, waiting for her response.
“Your time is precious, I would hate to waste it with idle talk.” Jasmine smiled and spoke with her mother’s diplomatic tone. “Tellme, where is the greatest need?”
The ladies all shared a smile, and Honora gave her a nod of approval.
For the next three dances, the ladies inundated Jasmine with the needs of workhouses, veterans, orphanages, and hospitals. She would discuss each with Matthew later. If he could purchase an entire livelihood, certainly he would help.
Her gaze drifted to him, commanding his own conversation. Mid-sentence, his amber eyes looked up to caress her own. His lips lifted, then he returned his attention to her father. The blush on his cheeks might have been a trick of the light, but she couldn’t claim the same of hers.
After some time, Jasmine and Honora wished the ladies a good evening and took their leave. Sweat beaded on Jasmine’s brow, and in other unpleasant places. She still had time before her dance with Matthew, and she needed to freshen up. He had gone to so much effort for her. The least she could do was smell pleasant.
After excusing herself from Honora, Jasmine retreated to the retiring rooms. Lit by oil lamps, the dark room was a balm to her senses. Sturdy walls muffled the music and chatter, giving her space to breathe. Taking her time, she fixed her hairpins using the mirror in front of a porcelain washstand. Powdered and presentable once more, she dabbed rose water behind her ears and gingerly dotted her wrist.
Soon, it would be time for her waltz with Matthew, then they would go their separate ways, and she would count the minutes until tomorrow. She closed her eyes and sighed.
Why did every separation from him feel like heartbreak?
Jasmine opened her eyes, looked in the mirror—
And found two of herself.
She jolted and twirled around to face Lady Ravenshaw, who gave her a gentle smile.
“There you are, Lady Jasmine. I’ve been meaning to have a word with you.”
“Good evening… Lady Ravenshaw, was it?” Jasmine asked. “If I remember correctly, Matthew introduced us at the park.”
“Yes, you’re making quite the social circuit. Haven’t stopped moving for a moment since you arrived in London,” Lady Ravenshaw said. “Some Spanish gentlemen even followed you here.”
“A boatload of them, with that logic. How may I help you?”
Lady Ravenshaw leaned against a support pillar and sighed. “It is with genuine concern that I say this—you should be cautious around Lord Lincolnshire.”
GoodLord,it was going to be one ofthosetalks.
