Chapter 8
Eight
Minerva strode through the manicured lawns of the rented London garden, her heeled slippers tapping lightly on the gravel path.
The sprawling greenery provided a rare oasis in the bustling city, and the shaded pergolas and flowered archways made the perfect backdrop for her annual Wallflower Garden Party.
Guests were already arriving, and the warm chatter of conversation filled the air.
She glanced around quickly, her eyes scanning for any potential problems. Servants carried trays of tea and finger sandwiches, and a string quartet played softly in the corner.
The vibrant display of roses and peonies framed the walking paths, while the delicate fountains sent a gentle spray of mist into the air.
“Lady Minerva! We are running out of lemonade on the west side,” called one of the footmen as he hurried over. He looked flustered, clearly overwhelmed by the number of guests.
Minerva nodded calmly. “Fetch additional lemonade from the kitchen, if you please. Ensure the trays are replenished with haste.”
“Yes, my lady.” The footman rushed away.
Minerva exhaled, turning toward the seating arrangements.
The area beneath the large oak was already filled with young ladies in pastel-colored gowns, fanning themselves delicately.
Nearby, a group of gentlemen were deep in conversation, but Minerva’s keen eye noticed a few sidelong glances cast toward the young women.
She smiled to herself. Everything seemed to be working.
Good, she thought. For once, it is all going according to plan.
“Minerva!” Cherie’s voice rang out as she hurried across the garden, her rose-pink dress fluttering around her ankles. “I have been looking everywhere for you! You won’t believe what just happened.”
Minerva turned, her brow furrowed. “What is it?”
“One of the ladies spilled lemonade all over her gown! But do not worry, I found one of the maids, and they’re sorting it out. Honestly, though, I thought you’d want to know.”
Minerva sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose. “It is fine, Cherie. Nothing we cannot handle.”
“Of course,” Cherie said with a grin, glancing around. “I must say, though, You have outdone yourself this year. Look at the turnout! Every eligible gentleman in London must be here.”
“That is the idea,” Minerva replied, smoothing her gown and casting a critical eye over the gathering. “Chastity needs to make an impression today.”
Cherie’s expression softened. “She’ll be fine, Minerva. You have planned this down to the last detail. Besides, she is more than capable of catching a gentleman’s eye.”
Minerva’s gaze drifted toward Chastity, who stood near a fountain, laughing with a small group of young women. Her sister’s dark curls gleamed in the sunlight, and her gown of soft lavender made her look every bit the part of an eligible debutante.
For the moment, at least, Chastity seemed to be enjoying herself—no signs of the recklessness Minerva feared. Was she enjoying herself too much? Were those bright-eyed glances meant for the colorful crowd, or searching for her mysterious Duke?
“I hope You are right,” Minerva said, though her tone carried a note of worry. “I cannot afford any surprises today.”
“Minerva, dear, you really should relax,” Samantha’s voice cut in from behind. She appeared at Minerva’s side, looking effortlessly elegant in her rose colored gown, her dark hair pinned loosely at the nape of her neck. “It is your party. You should enjoy it.”
Minerva smiled faintly, though her mind was already racing through a mental checklist. “I will relax when everything has gone off without a hitch.”
Samantha chuckled, glancing around the garden. “Everything looks perfect. You have done an amazing job. Now stop worrying and take a breath.”
Minerva opened her mouth to protest when one of the musicians hit a sour note on the violin. Her head whipped around, but no one seemed to notice. She released a breath she had not realized she was holding.
“You are too tense,” Samantha noted, following Minerva’s gaze. “The world won’t end if something minor goes wrong.”
“It is not the minor things with which I concern myself,” Minerva replied quietly, her eyes drifting back to Chastity.
Cherie sighed dramatically, fanning herself. “Oh, you and your need to control everything! Chastity is fine. Look at her—she is surrounded by admirers already.”
Minerva allowed herself a brief smile as she watched a young gentleman approach Chastity with a bow. “Yes, but she is always one misstep away from causing a scene.”
“Then let her cause a scene,” Cherie teased with a wink. “Maybe she’ll attract the attention of some dashing rogue.”
Minerva groaned, rubbing her temple. “That is exactly what concerns me.”
Before her friends could reply, a servant approached, bowing his head. “My lady, the Earl of Radcliffe has just arrived and wishes to greet you.”
Minerva straightened, smoothing her gown. “Thank you. Please show him to the main seating area.”
As the servant left, Samantha gave her a sidelong glance. “See? Everything is going smoothly.”
Minerva nodded, but a tightness lingered in her chest. For the first time in weeks, the event she had meticulously planned was unfolding without issue.
The young women were mingling, the men were engaged, and even the weather had cooperated.
And yet...No matter how hard she tried, she couldn’t stop thinking about the Duke of Colburn.
The way he had stood so infuriatingly close to her, that knowing smirk on his face.
How his very presence had unsettled her, making her feel as though she had lost control for the first time in years.
She shook her head, trying to refocus. This isn’t about him. It is about Chastity. It is about making sure she finds the right match.
Minerva had just started to relax when she saw him.
The Duke of Colburn swaggered into the gardens as if he owned the place, his stride slow and deliberate, a faint smile playing on his lips.
His tall frame, dressed impeccably in dark tailored attire, drew every eye in the vicinity.
The moment he stepped through the archway, it was as if the atmosphere shifted.
The soft hum of conversation faltered, and more than a few ladies straightened in their seats, casting furtive glances in his direction.
Minerva’s pulse quickened, and her grip on her fan tightened.
What is he doing here?
She knew, beyond any doubt, that she had not invited him. She had made sure to avoid his name when sending out the invitations, determined to keep the event free of any complications his presence might bring. And yet, here he was, looking entirely too pleased with himself.
Cherie, noticing the sudden stillness in Minerva’s expression, turned toward the source of her distraction. Her eyes widened, and she stifled a laugh. “Well, well, well. Look who’s decided to grace us with his presence.”
Samantha followed her gaze, her brow lifting in mild surprise. “The Duke of Colburn? He has certainly not on the guest list, is he?”
“No,” Minerva replied through gritted teeth, her voice tight. “He is not.”
Cherie’s eyes gleamed with mischief. “This should be entertaining.”
Minerva, on the other hand, was anything but entertained.
As Evan made his way through the garden, his eyes scanning the crowd with casual interest, she could already see several ladies swooning in his wake.
A small cluster of women had gathered near the rose bushes, giggling behind their fans and casting admiring looks his way.
He returned their attention with a brief, amused glance, but his stride never faltered.
Of course, Minerva thought bitterly. The Duke would never have lacked for admirers, with his looks, status, and reputation.
And now, here he was, uninvited, threatening to disrupt the entire event.
How can I remove him from the scene? The Duke had already proven he would not answer a courteous request, and anything more would cause a scene. The last thing she needed was for the gossiping tongues of the ton to start wagging again. No, she couldn’t afford that kind of scandal. Not today.
She inhaled deeply, forcing a calm expression onto her face. “I will have the staff find him an extra chair. Far away from me—and from Chastity.”
“Are you going to toss him out?” Cherie asked, her voice full of teasing amusement. “I would love to see that.”
“I am sure,” Minerva replied sharply. “The last thing I need is more attention drawn to him—or to me. We’ll seat him, and I will handle the rest.”
Samantha gave her a sympathetic look. “You are handling this better than I would. I would be tempted to confront him right here and now.”
Minerva sighed, already feeling the strain. “Tempting as it is, I would rather avoid any drama today. This event needs to go perfectly.”
She spotted a servant nearby and quickly waved him over. “Please bring another chair and place it near the far end of the seating area, away from the main group. And make sure the Duke is seated there.”
The servant nodded quickly and rushed off to carry out her instructions.
Minerva turned back to Cherie and Samantha, her calm mask firmly in place. “There. He’ll be seated, and we’ll carry on as if nothing happened.”
Cherie smirked, clearly enjoying the unfolding drama. “I am curious to see how long that lasts.”
Minerva shot her a look. “Cherie, you are less than helpful.”
But even as she tried to resume her role as hostess, Minerva’s attention flitted back to the Duke.
He had now reached the center of the garden, where several ladies had eagerly swarmed around him, hanging on his every word.
He was charming them, of course, effortlessly weaving his way through their compliments and coquettish remarks, looking every bit the dashing nobleman.
Her jaw tightened. Stay away from me. Stay away from Chastity.
Minerva watched as Evan settled into the far side of the garden, the ladies around him hanging on his every word. It irritated her more than she cared to admit, but she forced herself to look away, determined to maintain her composure.
Just as she began to move toward the main seating area, Cherie stepped in front of her, a playful grin tugging at the corners of her mouth. “You know, Minerva, this party isn’t just for Chastity to find a match. It is for you too.”
Minerva blinked, caught off guard by the comment. “What are you talking about? I am not—”
“Oh, do not give me that,” Cherie interrupted, folding her arms. “This is the perfect opportunity for you to meet someone. You spend so much time worrying about your sister that You have forgotten about yourself.”
Minerva opened her mouth to protest, but Cherie pressed on. “ I will keep an eye on Chastity. You do not need to hover over her all day. Let me take care of her for a while. You should be enjoying this event, not just running it.”
Minerva hesitated, glancing over at Chastity, who was laughing with a group of young ladies near the fountain. She seemed fine, for the moment.
“I do not know, Cherie. This event is important. I cannot just—”
“Yes, you can,” Cherie insisted, her tone firm but kind. “You have done enough. Everything is running smoothly, and Chastity is doing perfectly well on her own. You deserve to have a bit of fun too.”
Minerva raised an eyebrow. “Fun?”
Cherie rolled her eyes. “Alright, maybe not ‘fun’ in your definition. But at least allow yourself to sit at a separate table, away from all the responsibilities, and actually talk to someone. There are plenty of eligible men here, Minerva. You should at least enjoy their company.”
Minerva let out a long sigh, the tension in her shoulders slowly easing. “Fine. But only for a little while.”
As the guests continued to mingle, she signaled to the servants, who began setting the tables for tea. The clinking of china and the soft rustle of the garden party’s hustle and bustle filled the air as trays of sandwiches, pastries, and fine teas were brought out.
“Ladies and gentlemen,” Minerva called with a graceful wave of her hand. “Please take your seats and enjoy the refreshments.”
As the crowd took their seats, Cherie grinned, clearly pleased with herself. “Good. Now, let me handle everything here. Go find a seat and enjoy some tea with the other guests.”
Reluctantly, Minerva nodded and allowed Cherie to guide her toward one of the smaller tables near the garden’s edge.
Minerva, for once, found herself seated away from her usual duties. The table she had chosen was quieter, tucked beneath a shaded pergola where the scent of jasmine wafted through the air. She inhaled deeply, trying to calm the lingering tension in her chest.
As the guests settled in, Minerva glanced around the garden, watching the animated conversations taking place around her. The sight should have filled her with pride—her event was a success, after all—but instead, she found herself wondering how long it would last before something went wrong.
From across the garden, she noticed Cherie keeping a careful eye on Chastity, who had now attracted the attention of two gentlemen. Minerva smiled faintly in relief. Everything seemed to be under control.