Chapter 2
Chapter Two
Minnie stayed close to Emmaline and Lily as they weaved their way through the tavern patrons to the table where the Manchester Central players always convened.
“It seems we’ve beaten the men here,” Emmaline said as she took a seat at one end, Lily and Minnie sitting across from her. “How did you escape your parents, Min?”
“Now that you are both respectable, married women, it seems that you are proper chaperones.”
“I never thought I would see the day when I was a proper chaperone,” Emmaline laughed. “Lily, perhaps.”
Colin hadn’t been far behind them, having accompanied them in the carriage that he and Lily had been gifted from Lily’s father, Lord Harcourt. He had been waylaid outside the tavern by those who had recognized him and been quick to offer their congratulations.
“I’m glad you could join us,” Colin said as he took a seat somewhat gingerly, having taken a hard fall on a hip during the game. He looked behind him quickly before returning his gaze to them with a mischievous grin. “And I’m not the only one who is pleased about it.”
“No?” Emmaline said, lifting a brow. “Let me guess. A certain Tommy Ward is eager to see Minnie?”
“Why, Emmaline, how did you ever guess? Perhaps because Tommy has been interested in Minnie ever since you brought her out with the team as your pretend companion?” Colin said with a laugh as Rhys walked in and joined them, sitting beside his wife and drawing her close, placing a kiss on her neck.
He was one of the most formidable looking men Minnie had ever seen — that was, until he came close to Emmaline, and then he turned into the softest lamb.
“Rhys is still annoyed about that?”
“I know you’re angry that he would be interested in a teammate’s woman, but surely we can let that go, considering it was all a ruse,” Emmaline said, leaning her head into Rhys, and he sighed.
“I suppose,” he agreed with a shrug, which was likely the most he would ever say about it, considering how little the man ever spoke.
“I must say,” Minnie said, changing the subject, “your game today was rather tame.”
“Tame?” Rhys repeated, his brows lifting in question.
“Considering the outcome the last few times you played the Athletics, I was expecting a brawl or vendetta of some sort. At least some words to be had.”
“Their captain, Harrington, is actually not a bad sort,” Colin said with a shrug. “Now that Reeves is gone, the Athletics seem to be more subdued.”
“Thank goodness for that,” Emmaline said, as Minnie’s gaze swung toward the opening tavern door.
It wasn’t the first time patrons had entered since they’d arrived. In fact, players and fans alike had been making their way from the football match to the tavern.
But somehow, this time, Minnie knew.
She stared through all the people seated at the tables and standing between them.
And instantly locked upon him.
His green eyes were focused on hers, glinting with mischief as he stared her down, his footsteps heading toward her, prowling like a panther.
His lips tugged up into a smile, a deep dimple appearing on each cheek, as though he was lucky to have found her there, having captured her in his nest.
Minnie couldn’t look away.
He wasn’t as classically handsome as Colin or even Rhys, but he had a mischievous look to him that made something deep inside her twinge with a restless need to know more, to discover what was hiding beneath that mysterious exterior.
His sandy hair curled around his head, sticking up almost like a halo, although Minnie knew he was far from an angel.
“Be careful, Min,” Lily murmured in warning. “We love Tommy, but that smile has charmed more women than Tommy himself would likely ever admit.”
Minnie nodded in recognition of Lily’s words, even though she had no wish to believe them, as her heart rate picked up when the man closed in toward her.
“Miss Draper,” Tommy practically purred as he pulled out the chair next to her and sat down. “Fancy seeing you here.”
“You knew very well she’d be here, Tommy,” Colin said drolly, but Tommy didn’t even look over at him.
“While I appreciate the input, Colin, I do not believe you are part of this conversation,” he said. “This is between me and Miss Draper.”
“Minnie is fine,” she said, unable to tear her gaze away from his mesmerizing eyes. His smile widened at her permission to use her given name.
"Minnie," he repeated, her name a caress on his tongue. "A lovely name for a lovely lady."
Heat crept up her neck at his bold words. Across the table, Emmaline raised an eyebrow, a knowing smirk on her lips.
"I saw you at the match today," Tommy continued, leaning closer. His knee brushed against hers under the table, sending a jolt of heat through the rest of her body. "Did you enjoy the game?"
"It was...illuminating," Minnie replied, trying to keep her wits about her despite his proximity. "Though, as I was just telling the others, not nearly as exciting as some of your past matches against the Athletics."
Tommy chuckled, the sound rich and warm. "So, you’ve been watching us? I'm flattered."
"Don't let it go to your head," she teased. "I merely have an appreciation for the sport."
"Is that all you appreciate?" His gaze dipped to her lips for the briefest moment before meeting her eyes again.
Minnie's heart stuttered in her chest. She was used to men attempting to charm her, but something about Tommy Ward set him apart. Perhaps it was the glint of real intelligence behind his flirtations, or the sense that he saw her as more than just a pretty face to woo.
She opened her mouth to reply, but was interrupted when the barkeep, Milton, arrived with pints of ale for the table. He sent a serving girl for everyone else, but always served the team personally.
The conversation turned to a lively discussion of the game as the players recounted key moments between sips of their drinks.
But even as Minnie laughed and chatted with the others, she remained acutely aware of Tommy's presence beside her. Every accidental brush of their arms, every heated glance in her direction, sent tingling sensations across her skin.
As the evening wore on and the ale flowed freely, the group began to disperse.
Colin and Lily were the first to take their leave, Colin's earlier fall catching up with him.
Rhys and Emmaline, wrapped up in each other as always, promised to see Minnie home, but for the moment, they had vacated their places at the larger table to sit in a more private area to the side.
Leaving Minnie and Tommy relatively alone at the table, the din of the pub swirling around them. Minnie knew she ought to make her excuses and head home soon as well but found herself reluctant to bring an end to her time with Tommy, uncertain of when she might see him again.
"What are you thinking in that pretty head of yours?" Tommy asked, his voice low and intimate as he angled his body toward hers.
Minnie met his gaze, emboldened by the ale and the undeniable pull she felt toward him. "I was thinking that you're not at all what I expected, Mr. Ward."
"Please, call me Tommy." His eyes sparkled with mirth. "And what exactly did you expect?"
"I'm not entirely sure," she admitted. "But whatever this is… I think I like it.”
Tommy caught Rhys’s stare from across the tavern. Even though the captain was well occupied with his wife, his warning gaze was clear.
But Tommy didn’t care.
The moment he had seen Minnie, he had abandoned his plan to find someone else to help forget her. For there was no one else anymore.
Just her.
And, miraculously, she seemed equally as interested in him as he was in her.
He leaned in closer, his lips quirking into a roguish grin. "I'm glad to hear it, Minnie. Because I know I like you. Quite a bit, if I'm being honest."
Tommy noticed the catch in her breath at his bold declaration. Her eyes roamed his face as if searching for the truth, and he hoped she could read just how sincere he was.
She was the most beautiful woman he had ever seen, yes, but most men would say the same.
There was more to her, however, more than Tommy had felt toward any other woman.
It was that hint of her own mischievousness that spoke to his soul, that prevented him from drawing away, encouraging him to want to know more.
"You barely know me," she pointed out, but the way she bit her lip belied her true thoughts about him.
"I know enough," Tommy countered smoothly. "I know you're brilliant and quick-witted. I saw the way you handled that supplier at your father's warehouse. You didn't back down an inch."
Minnie's eyes widened in surprise. "The supplier? You were there? I didn’t see you there, in the warehouse. Although…”
"I have my ways," he said with a wink. "The point is, you intrigue me, Minnie Draper. And I'd very much like the chance to get to know you better.”
He knew that it was not his place. She should be rebuffing his advances, placing a greater chasm between them due to their social standings. She might not be of noble blood like Lily, but she was close enough, while he was a mere blacksmith – an apprentice at that.
But staring into those beautiful blue eyes that seemed to see straight into his very soul, Tommy found he didn't give a damn about propriety in that moment.
"I think I'd like that as well," she said. "Though we'll have to be discreet. My parents are trying to see me married off, though I’m not thrilled about it. If word got out that I was socializing with a footballer–”
"You would be scandalized," Tommy finished for her, his hand finding hers under the table and entwining their fingers. Sparks of electricity seemed to dance across her skin at his touch. "I understand. I can keep a secret when I need to. If you would like to take the chance. Only if."
Her brows lifted, and he knew what she was thinking. He was sure his reputation preceded him, and he was even surer that Colin had put their friendship to the side to warn Minnie off.
But he could tell that maybe, just maybe, she enjoyed the thrill of something scandalous.
"And what sort of chance might that be?" she asked, her tone playful yet laced with a hint of breathlessness.
Tommy reached out to brush a stray curl from her cheek, his fingertips grazing her skin and leaving a trail of heat in their wake. "The chance to get to know each other properly. Away from prying eyes and wagging tongues."
"And how do you propose we manage that?" she whispered, leaning into his touch, likely despite her better judgment. "I'm hardly ever without a chaperone."
"Leave that to me," Tommy assured her with another wink. "I can be quite resourceful when properly motivated."
Before Minnie could respond, a sharp clearing of a throat drew their attention. Rhys stood beside their table, his expression inscrutable as he regarded the pair of them. "It's getting late," he said pointedly. "We should see Miss Draper home."
Tommy sat back reluctantly, his hand falling away from Minnie's face. "Of course," he agreed. Despite his disappointment, he knew Rhys was right. He stood and offered Minnie his arm. "Allow me to escort you out."
Minnie accepted his arm, the heat of her body seeping through the fabric of his shirt and warming his skin. As they made their way through the crowded tavern, Tommy leaned in close to her ear as he spoke low enough for only her to hear.
"This isn't over, Minnie. Not by a long shot. I'll find a way for us to continue this conversation. I promise you that."
With those parting words, he handed her over to Rhys and Emmaline.
And missed her already as she walked away.