Chapter Thirty-Six #2
Jasmine covered her mouth and fought back a sob.
“A mugging?!” a high-pitched lady’s voice shrieked, echoed through the crowd as if each woman had heard it first.
“Last Saturday evening,” Lady Ravenshaw cried, holding her hand to her heart. “I was terrified for his life, but Lord Lincolnshire brought him here to safety.” Tears streamed down her face, but steel glinted in her eyes when she glared at Duke Kendall. “It’s a shame the knave got away with it.”
Duke Kendall gritted out. “How dare you—”
“His Grace has been kind to us, but this I will not tolerate. Ladies at gunpoint. Gentlemen acting like animals,” she continued, her voice rising above Duke Kendall’s protests. “Birthday or no, Duke Kendall’s actions have been atrocious this evening. I will no longer allow my fiancé to stay here.”
She delicately wiped a tear from her eye and flicked it onto the grass. Determined, she strode back into the mansion, tugging Lord Rothwell violently behind her.
Duke Kendall stood frozen to the spot.
And the guests erupted in laughter.
“What a show!”
“His Grace certainly knows how to entertain!”
Duke Kendall stood in front of them, bits of apple in his hair. His dark eyes met Jasmine’s in the crowd and she smirked.
Checkmate.
He lunged forward, swiping at Matthew. Matthew stumbled back, and Jasmine rushed to him, bracing him while Duke Kendall drew back his fist.
A low hiss rippled through the crowd. The guests disapproving glares directed at Duke Kendall. The air charged with hostility.
“Poor sportsmanship!” Lord Stretton called out. “Lord Lincolnshire did precisely as you asked!”
“Yes, he shot the apple!” another said. “Now you’re subjecting us to a boxing match?!”
“I didn’t—” Duke Kendall stammered, backing away. “He threatened me!”
“A practiced event you agreed to!”
“You were never in any danger!”
Under their cries of outrage, Matthew narrowed his eyes at Duke Kendall and spoke slowly. “Do your worst. I’ll take my chances with a trial of my peers.” He stepped back and grinned. “They seem to like me more.”
Duke Kendall glanced around, meeting the guests’ glares with one of his own, stepped forward, and slipped on a chunk of apple. He righted himself, set his shoulders, and retreated into his mansion.
A crowd rushed forward, patting Matthew on the back, and shaking his hand. They spoke all at once.
“I will pay a pretty penny for a pistol like that!”
“How fast could you craft two more?”
“Lord Lincolnshire, I will pay double the sum Lord Stretton offers!”
“Now, now, gentlemen,” Jasmine interceded.
“You may all discuss business with my husband on Monday morning.” She gestured to the mansion.
“Please see yourself to the ballroom for dancing and refreshments. There is no reason for your evening to be ruined, I’m certain Duke Kendall needs only a moment to recover from his little scare. ”
“Right after he changes his drawers.” Matthew dropped into a theatrical bow. “Enjoy your evening, ladies and gentlemen!”
The older men laughed and talked while their wives gave disapproving grumbles. The younger ladies of the crowd all giggled behind their fans at all of the excitement. One by one they entered the mansion until finally the family was left alone in the lawn.
Jasmine threw herself into Matthew’s arms. “My love—you did it.”
He wrapped his arms around her, resting his weight on her. Sweat covered his brow, dripping onto her shoulder. She brushed it away from his face with her sleeve.
“What the devil was I thinking?” he choked, burying his face in the crook of her neck. “I will never, ever, ever do something foolish like that again.”
“How did you do it at all? You moved, I saw you move, you—”
“Shh.” He placed his lips over hers. A gentle touch where she could feel his breath. “I’ll explain everything, I promise. But not here.” He tucked her under his chin. Over her head, he said, “Don Lorenzo, do you know where my townhouse is?”
Jasmine turned her head to see Don Lorenzo watching them, his eyes shadowed and his expression unreadable.
He nodded. “I know the way.”
“Meet me there, and we’ll have our discussion.”
“I’ll have my carriage brought around,” Don Lorenzo said. “I’ll summon yours as well.”
“Please.”
“Tonight?” She frowned. “Whatever he needs to say can wait until morning.”
Matthew shook his head. “No, I believe I’ve kept him waiting long enough.”
“You have.” Don Lorenzo smirked and walked back into the mansion.
Seth, Cassandra, and Caroline waited behind them. Huddled together, Seth had Cassandra wrapped in one arm, and Caroline in the other. Bursting into tears, Caroline launched herself at Matthew.
“You horrid, wretched, idiot.” Caroline slammed the side of her fist on his chest. “You insufferable lack-wit, how could you—” she sobbed. “How could you?”
Matthew held her and Jasmine close to him, and for long moments they remained like that, not saying a word, until a heavy exhaustion fell on Jasmine’s shoulders. “Let’s depart this place while we can.”
She linked her arm with Matthew’s, and in a line, the family made their way to the entrance of the mansion. Paths parted for them as they walked through the ballroom. Smiles and scattered applause followed them. Aristocrats danced to light music, oblivious to the real danger her family had been in.
Something prickled at her awareness, the hairs rose on the back of her neck.
In the corner of her eye, she thought she saw her own reflection, a flash of bright skirts and black hair.
Lady Ravenshaw dabbed a handkerchief to her cheek, speaking with her hands as she wove her tale.
The ladies around her leaned in, hanging on to every word.
Jasmine stopped, and Matthew turned to her.
“What is it?” He followed her line of sight and hummed. “What would you like to do?”
“Do you mind giving me a moment with her? It won’t take long, I promise.”
He nodded. “I’ll be right here. Don’t go too far.”
Alone, Jasmine approached Lady Ravenshaw and curtsied.
Lady Ravenshaw smiled and she gently waved the ladies away.
“If you’ll excuse me, dears, I’ll be right with you.
I must bid Lady Lincolnshire goodnight”—she looked to Jasmine pointedly—“seeing as we’ve become such good friends after our shared ordeal. ”
With a collection of sighs and curtsies, the ladies left.
“Friends?” Jasmine raised a brow.
“Don’t dream of it.” Lady Ravenshaw huffed. “Did Lord Lincolnshire send you over here to grovel?”
She tried not to bristle at the insult. “I wanted to thank you. You put yourself at risk tonight, it was brave. I owe you a debt I cannot repay.”
“I didn’t do it for you,” Lady Ravenshaw spat.
“I know,” Jasmine said gently. “That’s why I’m thanking you.”
If Matthew felt any affection for her in the past, there had to be something redeemable underneath, something warm. Jasmine knew aside from appearances they had one thing in common.
They both loved him.
“Take care of him,” Lady Ravenshaw whispered. Then she snapped, “And take care of your problems yourself next time. Don’t expect me to intervene on your behalf again.”
“I’ll ensure we’re never in this position again,” Jasmine said through her forced smile. Lady Ravenshaw turned on her heel and walked away, and Jasmine wasn’t ashamed to admit she was glad to watch the other woman leave. Jasmine worried for her alone—but only for a moment.
She can take care of herself.
Jasmine had her own affairs to attend to. She returned to Matthew. With a smile, she placed her arm in his and settled at his side. “Now, what about this conversation with Don Lorenzo?”