Under The Moonlight

Chapter 3

Chapter 3

The morning seemed brighter somehow. Maybe it had something to do with the night before, Andrew thought. When he had danced with the beatiful Jasmine Winters.

He had to admit, the event hadn't started out so well. The countless people offering their condolences, reminding him of what he had lost, really dampened his already sour mood. Then came the hopeful young ladies attempting to win his affections. He had been aquainted with so many that he had forgotten nearly all of them eventually.

Though, there are certain people who haunt your memories even when you try to forget them. Like Lady Cadwell for instance. The woman was incredibly annoying and seemed to lack any form of intelligence. When Andrew had asked her if she liked to go horseback riding, she had merely replied with "Ilike it if you do, my lord," and then launched into a fit of uncontrollable giggles.

There were some he had had a decent conversation with as they danced. And they had helped lighten up his mood. But a certain blue-eyed beauty had invaded his thoughts even after the ball.

Jasmine.

Andrew sincerely hoped he'd see her again soon. The conversation they'd shared as they danced had been light but he could still tell she was vying for his affections as well. Jasmine had done it in a different manner, however. Instead of outright flirting with him, as most of the women had done that night, she'd dropped simple hints. He hadn't noticed at first and it had only been by chance when he saw her bat his eyelashes at him or flash him a seductive smile.

Subtle, yet obvious.

Unfortunately, when he had tried to compliment her eyes she'd snorted and brought up Lord Devonshire and how he had made a similar compliment.

"He wasn't wrong," Andrew had told her.

"But I have my father's eyes," she'd protested. "Are you saying that if you looked into his eyes you'd be drawn in as well?"

He was left speechless, which made her laugh in return. He had decided that he would find a way to flatter her in a way that would leave her speechless instead. 

Andrew was brought out of his thoughts by the sound of a clearing throat. He realised he was standing at the bottom of the grand staircase of his manor, staring at nothing in particular.

"What were you thinking about, Andrew dear?" his mother asked.

"Oh," Andrew said, not knowing how to tell his mother that he had been thinking about a girl he had only just met. "I was just thinking about last night... the ball... and everything,"

"Really?" Lady Agatha asked, eyeing her son. "And what exactly happened at the ball to leave you standing at the bottom of the staircase, staring off into the distance with a smile on your face?"

"I may have... met... someone interesting,"

Andrew's mother gasped, brining her gloved hands to her face. "You met a girl!" she exclaimed happily. "Who is she? What does she look like? Do I know her?"

"Mother, I hardly know her. And Her name is Jasmine Winters, the baron's daughter."

"You have that look on your face. I can tell you fancy her. You must go to that soiree tomorrow evening. I am sure she will be there as well."

Andrew hadn't seen his mother this excited for weeks and if humouring her would keep her this way, then so be it. Besides, he couldn't possibly develop feelings for a young woman he'd just met, could he?

"Very well, mother. I'll go."

Even in her mourning attire, Lady Agatha still managed to look as joyful as ever when she smiled at her son. With both her husband and her eldest son dead, Andrew was all she had left. That was why she'd hoped for him to marry a woman he loves so that he could be happy.

 "But at the moment," Andrew said. "I have to run an errand,"

"You haven't had breakfast yet," Lady Agatha insisted.

"It can wait. I won't take long."

Andrew gave his mother a peck on the cheek and promised her he would be back as soon as possible. Settling into his carriage, he instructed Jeffrey to take him to the Knight Investigations office. 

*****************

Jasmine had awoken with a smile on her face and had ignored the curious looks from her family. All she'd told them was that she was looking forward to the next social gathering which happened to be a soiree the next evening. Many eligible bachelors were going to be in attendance as well as other men of the ton. She just hoped that her top three were going to be there as well.

Currently, she was having tea with her sister, Juliet, and her friends Charlotte and Rosaline Martin, identical twins. It was nearly impossible for one to tell them apart since they almost always wore identical matching dresses just to confuse people. They often switched places too. That usually went unnoticed.

So far, the young ladies had talked about the ball the previous night - except for Juliet, as she hadn't yet had her season.   

"But then came Lord Devil-shire," Jasmine said, wrinkling her nose in disgust.

"Oh, and then he tried to flatter you with words but he was no match for the frozen-hearted Winters lady," Juliet interjected.

"You weren't even there, Juliet," Charlotte giggled.

"And he is Lord Devonshire, Jasmine," Rosaline corrected.

"It does not matter what his name is," Juliet said. " After his failed attempts at trying to woo my sister, he tried to take her innocence. But she was rescued by a dashing... Earl."

"That's not even close to the truth," Jasmine muttered.

"I liked it," Charlotte said happily taking a bite of her scone.

"What really happened?" Rosaline asked.

"He just made improper advances and I stepped on his foot," Jasmine replied. 

"My story was better," her sister said.

"What about the earl you mentioned?" asked Rosaline.

"He was my next dance partner." Jasmine answered quickly before her sister could reply. "And he was really handsome too. Did you see him? The Earl of Huntingdon, I mean."

"Oh, I saw him," Charlotte replied, fanning herself with her fingers.

"Very charming," her sister added.

"Well Mr Rogers, Lord Avery and Lord Huntingdon are my main interests so far. And I plan on catching the eye of at least one of them so I can be saved from a boring future with lord Borington."

"Lord Torrington," Rosaline corrected.

"Might as well change his name," Juliet snickered.

"If you want to capture their attention," Charlotte said to Jasmine. "I know exactly what you should do for the soiree tomorrow evening."

Jasmine gulped. Her friend was scheiming. Just what had she got in mind?