Little bird, he had called her.
He had been patient and kind. Strong enough to carry her with one arm, as if she weighed nothing. The way he regarded her with midnight eyes, as if she was this fragile and precious thing. He had beenso close.
It had to have meantsomething.
If she had not stopped him, would he have closed the distance between her mouth and his? Ifshehad inched closer tohim, she would have—Cassandra sighed.
She would have ruined her entire life.
She would think of something else.
“You may converse with whomever you please, gentleman or otherwise. I promise to not interfere, as long as you make a promise to me.” Matthew fixed her with a serious expression. “You are not to take any permanent actions regarding your future in the next seven days. Is that clear?”
“Yes,” she bristled. She was tiring of catering to the whims of men, and now dreaded inviting more of it.
“Do you promise?”
“I promise,” she said. Irritated at his lack of faith in her, she turned to look out of the window. “Anything else Lord Lincolnshire?”
Matthew gave her a lopsided grin. “Try to enjoy yourself.”
They emerged from the forest into an expansive green field. In the middle, Hollingsworth Manor stood as a brick fortress, curved like a shield that sheltered a shooting range, an equestrian track, and an impossibly large glasshouse. The fading sunlight glimmered off the glass panes, as if calling to her.
It must have been two stories tall!
Already she had questions for the groundskeeper. How was it able to maintain heat throughout the winter? How many species of plants grew inside? Did it house trees? It was certainly tall enough to do so.
The carriage came to a stop in front of the main doors. Her feet had scarcely touched the ground before a rush of emerald green skirts hurled itself at her with a high-pitched squeal of delight. Ivory silk gloved hands grasped both of her own. A full head taller than her, with shimmering obsidian hair and bronzed skin, the young woman greeted her with a toothy smile. “You’re here! I can’t believe that you’re here!”
“Jasmine!” Cassandra squeezed her hands and closed her eyes to fight tears, unaware until that moment of how much she hadmissedher. They had corresponded, but letters weren’t enough, not for as long as it had been. She longed to wrap her arms around her, and would have done so if not for the troop of footmen arriving to assist with their luggage.
Jasmine was the daughter of an English marquess and a Spanish heiress to a vineyard empire. A perfect blend of both, she inherited her darker coloring and full-figure of her mother, and sharp cheekbones from her father. Her saucy attitude and mischievous nature were all her own. She was as courageous and effervescent as champagne, mouth popping off with whatever came to mind.
“I could scarcely believe my ears when Mama told me that you’d be here.” She turned to Matthew. “Matthew, everyone is calling you the best kept secret in England. A true dark horse!”
Matthew laughed loudly, moving aside to allow the footmen to dotheir job.
“The moniker is flattering, but I’mcertainlynot the best kept secret, Lady Jasmine.” Matthew raised an eyebrow at Cassandra. Heat rushed to her face. He returned his gaze to Jasmine with a conceited grin. “Don’t stop now. What else are they saying about me?”
“Mostly that you’ve lost your senses and don’t stand a chance.”
Matthew scowled.
“Is it true that you have partnered with a ruffian?” Jasmine’s eyes brimmed with curiosity as she focused her attention on Matthew before looking around, as if said ruffian would appear.
“No,” Matthew said, at the same time that Cassandra said, “Yes.”
“I’ll pray for your victory.” Jasmine glanced between the siblings dubiously. “Ruffian or no.”
“I’m honored by your favor, Lady Jasmine.” Matthew bowed to her with a hand over his heart. “I have some business to attend to. Can I trust you to keep my sister out of trouble?”
Jasmine winked at him.
“Cassandra is the one that keeps me out of trouble, but yes, I will take good care of her. In fact, I plan to steal her straight away.” She turned to one of the three footmen and instructed, “Please deliver Miss Cooper’s belongings to the second to the last bedchamber in the West Wing.”
“Yes, my lady.”
“I had a maid show me to your bedchamber this morning,” Jasmine said to Cassandra. “We are on the same floor, but a good distance away from each other. You’ll be getting your daily exercise walking to the breakfast hall! I’ll give you a tour along the way.” Jasmine led Cassandra up the stairs. Almost as an afterthought, she threw over her shoulder. “Say goodbye to your sister, Matthew! You won’t see her for a week!”