This morning she could barely move because of the sheer number of people in the halls. Including Don Lorenzo. Even he wouldn’t be so bold to accost her on a Sunday, but starting tomorrow he would begin his chase in earnest.
“Perhaps we can find a gentleman for me as well,” Caroline said. “If Matthew is busy courting you, he won’t have time to get in my way.”
Across the lawn, Matthew stood and bowed to Jasmine’s parents.Mother merely smiled, took Papa’s arm, and directed him to another set of guests. Matthew kept his face neutral as he maneuvered through the tables to reach them. But the corners of his lips lifted with each step closer. With a wide grin, he skipped his last two steps.
He bowed to them but remained standing.
Heart thumping, Jasmine asked, “What did they say?”
“The good news is I’ve been given official permission to court you.” Matthew’s grin faltered with his next words. “The bad news is that I have strict rules.”
“Which are?”
“I can’t fill your social calendar. I’m allowed to call once a week, and two personal outings—one tomorrow, and the other next Tuesday.” At Jasmine’s downturned expression, Matthew said, “We get both Saturday mornings, as long as you’re home right after.”
“At least there’s that.” Jasmine sighed. “What else?”
“Whenever we’re at the same ball, we’re allowed one dance per evening, and brief conversations. I’ll secure an invitation to every event you attend. You’ll see me every day.”
“Along with everyone else,” she said.
On the other side of the lawn, Lord Rothwell and Don Lorenzo sat at the same table. Leaning close to each other, they spoke in hushed tones—having a strategy meeting of their own. After following her gaze, Matthew glowered at the men.
“Don’t concern yourself with them. I’ll do what I can to get them to drop their pursuit.” He looked into her eyes. “I’ll be respectful in my courtship, Lady Jasmine, but I will not be subtle. You’re to bemywife. I’ll be by your side when I can.”
The masculine edge in his voice caused a fluttering within her—then, she remembered his sisters wererightnext to them. Cheeks warming, she took a sip of her tea to hide her smile. “Don’t you needto work?”
“Thanks to you, my work will bring me here this week.” Matthew grinned. “General Ortiz has requested a meeting.”
Jasmine raised a brow. “Why is that thanks to me?”
“Everylifelost is a tragedy,” Matthew repeated. “He was moved by your speech! He has a block of time available on Thursday, and your father has offered the use of his studies for our conversation,” he said with an optimistic tilt to his voice. “Nothing at the factory needs my full attention. Seth can take over for me. It’s the least he can do.”
Cassandra huffed.
“And Cassandra promised she would chaperone. Which has been approved, by the way,” Matthew directed the comment to his sister. “And I’ll only need her presence a few times, unlike the months of chaperoning I had to do for her.”
“I already said I would do it.” Cassandra huffed. She turned to Jasmine. “When I’m not chaperoning, I’ll visit—with Rose.” She gave a conspiratorial smile. “And the baby is quickening. If I can get Aunt Valentine to feel itonce, she’ll want me here every day.”
“Everyone thinks Cassandra is the innocent one.” Caroline giggled and matched her sister’s tone. “I’ll be here looking for a husband. Matthew will be busy, and poor Lady Worthing has run herself ragged chaperoning me lately. I’ll need a more dedicated match-maker. Do you think Aunt Valentine will be up to the task?”
Jasmine shifted her gaze from each sibling. They smiled at her with identical, determined amber-brown eyes. Feeling lighter, she laughed.
“Thank you, all of you.”
“You’re going to be Jasmine Cooper soon.” Matthew’s gaze lingered on hers—as tender as he had been the night before. He whispered, “We’ll take care of you.”
Spoken aloud, the nameJasmine Coopersettled into her mind forthe first time. She looked at Matthew—her future husband—and she considered what it meant tobecomehis wife.
Her actions had forced him to run this courtship gauntlet. Instead of retreating, he stood determined, welcoming the challenge. Her next words left her without thought. “I don’t deserve you.”
“Nonsense.” He gave her a rueful smile. “You deserve better.”
Before Jasmine could respond, Matthew pulled a watch from his chest pocket. He checked the time and sighed. “Alas, I must leave. There are some tasks I need to complete at the factory if I’m to carve out time for our outing tomorrow.”
Endlessly curious about how Matthew would approach courtship, she asked, “What are we doing tomorrow?”
The corner of his lip lifted, and he winked.