“We’re awaiting news from one more solicitor.” Cassandra’s voice pitched with careful optimism, but then fell. “I’m not sure how long it will take. Matthew said it could be weeks.”
Jasmine placed her head in her hands and stifled a sob.
Cassandra eased Jasmine’s hands away from her face and held them in the space between them. Her amber-brown eyes met Jasmine’s—the same shade as Matthew’s—and the ache intensified.
“Stay strong.” Cassandra squeezed her hands. “This will be over before you know it, and you’ll be home with us.”
“I’m going mad. I never thought I would say this, but I need to see him.”
“He’ll be at Duke Kendall’s ball tonight,” Cassandra said. “He’s going to ask your father for leniency. With any luck, you’ll be able to resume your courtship tonight.”
“I’m beginning to doubt whether or not Father will allow him to court me again.” Jasmine sighed. “I’m half-convinced he’s going to marry me to Don Lorenzo.”
“How is Don Lorenzo treating you? There are rumors of the two of you…?”
“Baseless.” Jasmine waved her hand as if shooing away a fly. “He’s close by all the time, and he makes his crude comments, but no more than usual.”
Don Lorenzo was a conundrum. Other than lingering in her orbit like his clove cologne, he hadn’t acted in a way that implied he was a serious suitor. He hadn’t asked her to dance, or conducted any other courtship rituals, like sending flowers or making calls. Not that he needed to when they shared every meal and he accompanied her to every event. Even after most of the Spanish delegation departed, he remained, as if waiting for something.
He could wait a lifetime, for all she cared.
“I’m not interested in him, Cassandra. I’m marrying Matthew—I’ll run away with him if I have to.”
“I don’t doubt your feelings for my brother,” Cassandra assured her. “I want to keep you safe. We’ll be sisters soon, but you’ll always be my best friend. You might not be able to punch Don Lorenzo in the face, but I’m the wife of a bastard and I’m pregnant.” She gave a mischievous wink. “I can do whatever I want.”
Jasmine’s first laugh in days escaped her, a mere puff of air that lightened her lungs enough to breathe. With a playful smirk, she flicked water from the fountain at Cassandra with her fingertips. Cassandra lifted her hands and gave a shrieking giggle.
“What did I do?”
“You like to flaunt your freedom in front of me.” Jasmine flicked more water at her, smile widening. “It borders on unkind.”
“You’ll get here.” Cassandra flicked water back at her. “Be patient.”
Jasmine dipped her hand in the water and splashed a handful at Cassandra, who retaliated until they were both water-logged and laughing.
“Girls,”a feminine voice called out from the walkway. “You misbehave the moment you’re out of sight.”
Jasmine dabbed water from her face with her sleeve, then lifted her gaze to her mother. Though Mama held herself primly, there was a pinch to her brow.
“Mama, what’s wrong?”
“Nothing is wrong,” Mama said carefully. “An emissary of Duke Kendall’s wishes to speak with you. His Grace has made an unusual request. You and I should discuss it before you make a decision.”
Jasmine frowned. “What does Duke Kendall want?”
“He wishes for you to be his companion for this evening,” Mama said succinctly. “You have every right torefuse.”
Jasmine’s eyes widened. “What has Father said?”
“He leaves the decision up to you.”
“Nice of him to leave me a choice,” she grumbled. At least her father stood byallof his convictions, including the one where he told her he wouldn’t reject other offers of courtship.
Butwasthat what the Duke was asking for? Courtship? She was a diamond of the first water without a wedding band, and he liked shiny things. She imagined he liked it even more when they shined bright enough to burn. Bright enough tohurt. There could be no other reason for his invitation other than wanting to hurt Matthew. Jasmine wanted to know why.
And how to get him to stop.
She was a fool if she thought she could gain the upper hand over him, but this might be her only opportunity to fully take the man’s measure. Jasmine knew how to handle a man like Duke Kendall—feed them compliments and they would talk all night.
