Chapter 9 #2
“And yet,” he said, his smile widening, “here I am.”
Minerva’s gaze narrowed as she set her teacup down with a soft clink. “Thank you so much for shooing away the only two men who seemed remotely interested in me.”
Evan’s smirk deepened, clearly unbothered by her sarcasm. He leaned back in his chair, arms folded across his chest. “I thought I was saving you. Surely you can do much better than that pair of dullards.”
Her lips pressed into a thin line. “You think incorrectly, Your Grace. They were perfectly decent company.”
“Decent?” Evan raised an eyebrow, his expression one of mock disbelief. “You deserve far more than decent. And, if I may say so, your company was wasted on them.”
Minerva huffed, turning her head to avoid his piercing gaze. “I was not asking for your assessment.”
“I am simply looking out for you,” he teased, a glint of mischief in his eyes. “Tell me, Minerva, do you really prefer the company of those two over—well, let’s say—someone more... intriguing?”
She shot him a sharp look. “And what makes you think You are intriguing?”
Evan chuckled softly. “Oh, you wound me, my lady. But I suppose you wouldn’t admit it, even if you did find me intriguing.” He leaned in slightly, his voice dropping to a conspiratorial tone. “I have a feeling you find me more interesting than you care to admit.”
Minerva opened her mouth to retort, a sharp reply forming on her lips, when a soft, lilting voice interrupted the tension between her and Evan.
“Your Grace, Lady Minerva,” came the voice of Miss Emily Abernathy.
The young debutante, with her soft auburn curls and a delicate blush always lingering on her cheeks, approached their table with a shy but determined smile.
She smoothed the skirt of her pale yellow gown as she spoke.
“Lady Minerva, I simply had to come over and compliment you on the garden party. It is positively enchanting.”
Minerva blinked, momentarily thrown off. “Thank you, Miss Abernathy,” she replied, her voice a touch stiff as she tried to regain her composure. She had little doubt that Emily’s true target wasn’t the garden party, but the duke.
Evan, however, looked rather amused by the interruption. “Miss Abernathy,” he greeted smoothly, his smile as charming as ever. “I am sure Lady Minerva appreciates your kind words.”
Emily flushed under his gaze, her eyes darting to him before returning to Minerva.
“Yes, well, I just thought... with such a wonderful hostess and guest list, it must be quite the achievement to bring together such... distinguished company.” Her gaze flicked back to Evan, clearly struggling to maintain her composure in front of him.
Minerva could see through the feigned admiration for the event, but she nodded politely. “Thank you,” she said, though her patience was wearing thin.
There was a brief silence, and Emily, clearly eager to keep the conversation going, clasped her hands together. “And... forgive me for being so curious, but how is it that you two know each other?” She glanced between Minerva and Evan, her curiosity piqued and her blush deepening.
Minerva’s heart skipped. There it is.
Before Evan could speak, Minerva quickly interjected, her voice too cheerful and rushed. “We... met at a ball! Just a simple introduction at a ball.”
The debutante blinked, looking between them, clearly expecting more. Evan, however, was far from done.
“A ball, yes,” he agreed smoothly, though his eyes gleamed with amusement. “But it wasn’t just any conversation. In fact, I have never enjoyed a first conversation with a woman quite as much as I did with Lady Minerva.”
Minerva stiffened, her eyes widening in alarm. She shot him a sharp, warning look, but Evan, entirely too pleased with himself, continued.
“I daresay it is a conversation I won’t soon forget.” His gaze slid over to her, a teasing smile playing on his lips as if daring her to respond.
Minerva’s heart raced, heat creeping up her neck. She could feel Emily Abernathy’s curious gaze flicking between them, the young woman clearly sensing something more than a polite encounter. Absolutely not.
“Oh, well,” Minerva cut in quickly, her voice strained but still bright, “it was nothing at all. If he had not reminded me, I would still be wondering where I knew him from. Completely forgettable, really.”
Evan raised an eyebrow. “Forgettable? I seem to recall quite the opposite. We were quite engaged in our conversation about literature.”
Minerva shot him another pointed look, her hands gripping her fan tightly in her lap. “Yes, well, you must be confusing it with one of your many other encounters, Your Grace. I am sure they all blend together after a while.”
Evan’s smirk only deepened. “Ah, but you are mistaken, Lady Minerva. Pity you escaped before we could properly finish our discussion.”
Minerva clenched her fists under the table, forcing a tight smile as she spoke through gritted teeth. “Yes, a pity indeed. But some conversations are better left unfinished.”
Emily’s eyes widened, clearly intrigued by the mysterious undertones in their words. She leaned in slightly, her curiosity unmistakable. “Well, it sounds like it was... quite a memorable meeting.”
Evan, his eyes still locked on Minerva, replied smoothly, “Oh, it was. One of the most memorable meetings I have had in quite some time.”
Minerva’s face burned, and she was about to interject again when Emily giggled nervously, and glanced back at her companions. “I should... probably return to my friends. It was a pleasure speaking with you, Your Grace, Lady Minerva.”
With that, Emily curtsied and quickly retreated, leaving Minerva alone with Evan.
Minerva’s patience finally snapped. She turned to him, her voice low but sharp as she hissed, “Are you trying to ruin me?”
Evan’s smirk widened, clearly delighted by her frustration. “Why, are you enjoying it?”