“Of course!” His grin sharpened. “He’s been patient, but even patient men have their limits. How far do you think he can be pushed before he explodes? Shall we find out together?”
“The way you talk about him, one might think you hated him,” she said through gritted teeth.
“That couldn’t be further from the truth. If I hated Lord Lincolnshire, I wouldn’t have saved his life.”
“Saved his life?” Her brows furrowed. “How?”
“It wasmyword that kept him from the hangman’s noose. And do you want to know a secret?” Then he whispered in her ear, “I lied.”
The waltz ended, and they stopped moving.
“Lied…?” she repeated hollowly. “Lied how?”
“You should ask him,” Duke Kendall chirped. He looked over her shoulder and said, “Ah! There you are Lord Lincolnshire!”
With her heart in her throat, she turned to see Matthew approaching with steady strides. Expressionless, but firm around the eyes—contained fury on the edge of snapping.
He didn’t even look at her.
Instead, he bowed to Duke Kendall. “Good evening, Your Grace. Might I have a word with your companion?”
“Lord Lincolnshire, blunt as a hammer.” Duke Kendall greeted him, then gazed over to Jasmine. “We do have a busy evening planned, but I can excuse her for a short while. If you need somewhere private...” he whispered to Matthew darkly, “My study is always open to you. I’m sure Lady Jasmine can find her way there in a few minutes.”
“Thank you, Your Grace.” He bowed to Duke Kendall once more, then turned on his heel and disappeared in the crowd. Jasmine lost sight of him as Duke Kendall covered her hand with his.
“Now, my dear, we can’t have you rush after him right away. It’llbe less suspicious if you wait. Let’s give him time to simmer.”
Half an hour later, Duke Kendall had a maid ‘show her to the ladies’ room.’The young woman held her shoulders close and her eyes trained to the floor as she led Jasmine through hallways lined with stained-glass windows.
Matthew stood at a double door with his arms crossed. He looked at her for a split second, opened the door behind him, then stepped into the room.
“I’ll wait here, my lady.” The maid curtsied and moved to the side.
Tentatively, Jasmine entered the room, closing the door behind her. Dull embers in a stone fireplace lit the room. Matthew’s eyes glinted as dangerously as the swords on the walls.
“You promised you would wait for me.”
“I am waiting for you,” she said. “Didn’t you talk to Cassandra? I told her to tell you—”
“That you’remine?” he cut in, raising his volume over hers. “You’ve just convinced the entiretonthat you aren’t. Do you intend on marrying him?”
“Of course not!”
“Then why are you here?!”
“To take his measure!” She stomped her foot. “He humiliates you and he uses you. You can’t do anything, but maybe I can.” She gave him a pointed look. “You have to stand up to men like him, don’t you?”
“Menhave to stand up to men like him,” he ground out. “Andno onestands up to Duke Kendall. You don’t see the recklessness of your actions. Don’t play games you don’t understand.”
“Don’t underestimate me.” She huffed. “I can handle a man like Duke Kendall.”
“No, you can’t! You punch a man in the face and you think you can conquer the world.”
“I’m more than capable of taking care of myself! I can—” Jasmine stopped as Matthew stalked forward, closing the distance between them. He caught her hand and pulled her to him.
“Prove it.” He took her head in his hands. “Conquer me.”
And he kissed her. Nothing else mattered, only the warmth of his body and the silk-smooth slide of his tongue on hers. His scent enveloped her senses, and she used her hold on his shirt to pull him closer. Whimpering, she deepened their kiss. A pleased hum sounded from him, and he advanced, step by step, until her back rested against the wall.