A duel of hearts

Whispers and Whistledown

Jasmine stood there quietly as they talked, just sipping her lemonade and listening when she glanced over, seeing the Viscount come over. When she heard what he said about Whistledown, she nodded. "Whistledown does end up causing a lot of trouble," she agreed. She turned her attention to Nathaniel. "A viscount is a bit of a high rank. They are respected," she said.

But Jasmine could see how the girl had gotten closer to him, watching them quietly. Although she was almost tempted to say a few things to the flirty girl, she stayed quiet, mostly because she didn't want to say anything in front of the Viscount. But hearing what Nathaniel said about going to dance with the girl, she didn't know why, but she wanted to be the one to dance with him. Although she knew how other girls could be and knew it would probably be impossible, she gave a small sigh as she finished off her lemonade, watching them go to the dance floor. "Have fun dancing," she muttered softly, even though that probably seemed unladylike. For a minute, she forgot the Viscount was near. "Always making jokes and probably flirting with a bunch of women." Even if she hadn't ever been to the United States, her brother had traveled there and had told her some things about how the Americans can be. But she didn't know if anyone had even heard her. But she didn't remember the Viscount was near; she gave a small smile and turned to face the table to get some more lemonade.

The lady with whom Nathaniel was dancing was all smiles and flirty looks, holding him close and looking right into his eyes. As they held hands while dancing, she drew him even closer. Nathaniel didn't like that; he looked back at Jasmine, who didn't seem pleased. He wanted to dance with her—he was deeply interested in her—but still, he couldn't flirt with someone who was hosting him. He looked at Jasmine for a moment, feeling ashamed for dancing with the other girl without any genuine interest.

The girl, Lady Cowper, was now touching his shoulder, and he smirked slightly. "So, you were saying? The revolution?" she inquired, leaning in closer. Nathaniel shook his head, getting closer to her as well. "Lady Cowper, you seek danger. You forget the war was fought against your country. I would torment myself to put you in such danger," he said, his tone teasing.

"Oh, just a story. Please... come, come, share it with the others," she insisted, grabbing his arm and pulling him next to the Viscount and Jasmine. "We are all curious. My father would never talk about it. And the Viscount would love to hear as well."

Anthony looked at him, unsure of what Nathaniel was up to. Jasmine stood quietly, her eyes shifting between Nathaniel and Lady Cowper. Nathaniel sighed and decided to indulge them. "Very well," he began, adjusting his stance. "The revolution, as you know, was a time of great turmoil and bravery. My father, Alexander Sinclair, was deeply involved. He fought for the ideals of liberty and justice, believing in the potential of a nation free from tyranny."

Lady Cowper's eyes widened with interest. "And did he encounter any... dangerous situations?" she asked breathlessly. Nathaniel chuckled. "Many, Lady Cowper. Battles were fierce, and the risk was constant. But it was the resilience and determination of the people that won the day. My father often spoke of the camaraderie and the sacrifices made by many."

As he spoke, Nathaniel's eyes met Jasmine's. He could see a mix of emotions in her gaze—curiosity, admiration, and perhaps a hint of something more. He continued, "It was a time of great change, and while the struggle was arduous, the outcome was a new beginning for many."

Anthony nodded, clearly interested. "Your father sounds like a remarkable man, Mr. Sinclair. It's fascinating to hear firsthand accounts of such pivotal moments in history."

Nathaniel inclined his head in acknowledgment. "Thank you, Viscount. It is important to remember the past and learn from it."

Lady Cowper, still holding his arm, looked satisfied. "Thank you, Mr. Sinclair. Your stories are truly captivating."