“Trevor!” She separated from him and held him at arm’s length. “You’rehuge!”
Cassandra and Seth’s adopted son had grown at least two feet in her absence! No longer a scrawny boy, Trevor towered over her.
Time had moved right on without her, but as if she hadn’t been gone longer than a week, the house welcomed her.
Caroline took a seat at the table—and was thatAdrianHollingsworth, Lord Blackmoor, seated to the left of her? Black-haired, broad, and dressed in all black, his ice-blue eyes lowered the temperature of the room when they met hers. He gave her a short, dignified nod, and she imagined that was him beingfriendly.
Scanning the room, Jasmine was surprised to see Honora, Lady Worthing. A severe woman of an age with Jasmine and Cassandra, but one she had never been close to. She greeted her with a polite smile. “Welcome back to London, Lady Jasmine.”
Rose rushed under the table to play with another child—a blond boy about her age—who could only be Lady Worthing’s son, George.
Next to Lady Worthing stood a fawn-like younger gentleman dressed in a tan suit. Matthew’s and Seth’s business partner, Mr. Ezekiel Sanderson, greeted her. “Lady Jasmine! What a lovely surprise! I was just telling Lord Lincolnshire we’ve been needing some excitement around here.”
Jasmine laughed and gestured to the room at large. “What could bemore exciting than this?”
“Having a full stomach,” Cassandra said, and pushed her to the sideboard.
Matthew took his seat at the head of the table and read the paper. Seth helped Cassandra into her chair before taking the seat opposite Matthew. Conversations paused by her appearance resumed. Mr. Sanderson spoke to Seth, bringing him up to speed on the new improvements to the gun factory. The children laughed as they played under the table. Cassandra’s soothing tones were met by Lady Worthing’s clipped, but respectful replies. Trevor shoveled eggs into his mouth. Between bites, he relayed gossip from Lincolnshire across the table to Caroline.
The chaos of clinking flatware and the chatter of cross-table conversation drowned away all of Jasmine’s thoughts, allowing her to justbe.There was no pressure here to be anything other than who she was, and to enjoy themultitudeof food. Helping herself, Jasmine plated blueberry scones and apple tarts.
When she sat in the empty seat between Cassandra and Caroline, Cassandra had already prepared Jasmine’s tea just the way she liked it. Strong, sweetened with sugar and a splash of cream. She took a sip. Warmed from the inside out, Jasmine relaxed her shoulders and smiled at Cassandra.
“Thank you.”
Cassandra’s lips lifted. “It’s wonderful to have everyone around the table again.”
“It’s been so quiet without Cassandra’s wing here,” Caroline chimed in. “With you here, it’s like having the whole family back! When did you arrive?”
“Thursday morning,” Jasmine said.
“Already off running?” Cassandra sighed. “Aunt Valentine still isn’t giving you a break from the marriage mart?”
“She’s only gotten worse,” Jasmine grumbled.
“If you need a husband, I’ll happily volunteer for the job!” Trevor burst forth with a hopeful gleam in his eyes. “I’m a grown man now, Lady Jasmine, and more than capable of providing. I have an income of my own. While not as impressive as Father’s, Iamgrowing facial hair. If you look here—”
“Trevor.” Matthew lowered his paper and shot his nephew a raised brow.
Trevor pouted and looked at his plate. “I’m only joking, Uncle.”
“I’m not looking for a husband, and I don’t need to.” Jasmine’s heart filled with the rage she had been suppressing for days. Holding her hands in fists under the table, she took an unsteady breath. “My mother is writing a final list of gentlemen for me to choose from as we speak. I’ll select one, and I’ll be married by the end of the month.”
The room fell silent.
Cassandra’s eyes widened. “Has it truly reached that point?”
Matthew dropped his paper and set it to the side. His entire attention focused on her, as if dissecting her.
“Who is on the list?”
Jasmine narrowed her eyes at him. “She hasn’t told me.”
“Who areyouconsidering?” he asked.
Jasmine glanced around the table. All eyes were on her now, even the children under the table had quieted as she considered her response.
“Whoever is the best match.”