As Matthew turned to find a footman to summon their carriage, Aunt Valentine bustled through the crowd to them. Terse-lipped, she glanced around and sighed.
“I had hoped Jasmine was with you,” Aunt Valentine said. “Have either of you seen her?”
“I haven’t spoken to Jasmine all night.” Cassandra furrowed her brow and asked Matthew, “Have you?”
“The last I saw her, she was in the hallway with a maid,” Matthew half lied. They would both hear the truth from Jasmine tomorrow, no need to tell them now. He didn’t needfourwomen angry with him tonight.
“I don’t need to know the details,” Aunt Valentine said carefully. “Only the time.”
He checked his watch.
Was it midnight already?
“About an hour ago,” Matthew said.
“I’ll keep searching.” Aunt Valentine huffed. “If you see her, send her my way.”
And all business, Aunt Valentine walked away, her head held high, as if nothing was amiss. Matthew’s scowl deepened. Jasmine should have returned by now. She was likely hiding somewhere, as she always did when overwhelmed.
Or crying.
That he might have brought her to tears left a bitter taste in his mouth, but he could only focus on one problem at a time. There was no fixing anything with Jasmine tonight. He would only make matters worse. Aunt Valentine would have to take care of her own debutante.
He needed to look after his.
The waltz ended, the crowd parted, and silence descended over the ballroom. All eyes were on them now, and Duke Kendall’s hand was still on Caroline’s back. A blush covered her freckled cheeks. She stood proudly, looking like a duchess. In the carriage, he would trample that dream once and for all, and then arrange a marriage for her.
As he should have done already.
Matthew donned a stoic expression as Duke Kendall escorted Caroline to him. First, Duke Kendall inclined his head to Cassandra.
“Here you are, Mrs. Reeves—your charge. Safely returned, as promised.” Duke Kendall turned to Caroline and whispered close to her ear, “It was a pleasure waltzing with you, Miss Caroline.”
“Yes it was, Your Grace.” Caroline stepped away from him, curtsied low, and smiled. “We must do it again some time.”
“I assure you, we will.”
Duke Kendall had the audacity to wink at her, and Matthew stepped between them. Duke Kendall’s smile widened further.
“Lord Lincolnshire, I must thank you for allowing me to dance withtwoof your loveliest ladies tonight.” His gaze traveled to Cassandra. “Perhaps a minuet next with Mrs. Reeves, to top it off?”
“She’ll have to decline,” Matthew answered for her. “My family and I are departing for the evening. Thank you for yourhospitality, Your Grace.”
“You cannot leave yet,” Duke Kendall said. “I see so little of you lately, I insist we have a proper conversation. Walk with me, Lord Lincolnshire.”
Good Lord, Duke Kendall was going to ask for Caroline’s handnow. Matthew felt as helpless as Cassandra looked, and he couldn’t refuse.
But maybe he could buy himself some time.
“If it pleases you, I’ll call upon you this week. With my current mood, I’ll only sully your evening.”
“You aren’t enjoying yourself? Why didn’t you say so sooner?” Duke Kendall tsked. “I have just the thing to make you feel better. Come with me, I have a gift for you.”
Duke Kendall waited for Matthew’s answer, as did the rest of the ballroom. Cassandra and Caroline both met his eyes, with questioning glances of their own. Matthew squared his shoulders and plastered on a smile.
“Very well.” Matthew turned to Cassandra and said pointedly, “I’ll see the two of you at home.”
Caroline tried to argue, “But the evening isn’t half over—”