Chapter 14
Fourteen
Minerva stood with Lord Danbury in the grand ballroom, her fan lightly tapping against her palm as she tried to focus on their conversation.
The evening had been filled with the typical flow of pleasantries and well-worn anecdotes, much like this one, as the young lord regaled her with a humorous tale of his hunting dog chasing a pheasant into the dining hall.
She smiled politely, nodding in all the right places, but her attention was fractured, slipping away from the present as her gaze wandered through the crowded room.
The ballroom was bathed in the warm glow of chandeliers, the sound of music and laughter filling the air, but Minerva found herself struggling to enjoy any of it.
“Oh, and then—can you imagine—the poor maid screamed loud enough to shake the rafters when she saw the bird!” Lord Danbury finished with a chuckle.
Minerva laughed lightly, though her amusement did not reach her eyes. “Quite the spectacle, I am sure.”
Before Lord Danbury could continue, Lady Fitzhugh, an older matron known for her sharp tongue, cut in with a hearty laugh of her own.
“Well, Lord Danbury, you certainly know how to liven up a room! If only we had a pheasant to chase through this ballroom—it might add a touch of excitement to this rather routine affair.”
“Indeed, Lady Fitzhugh,” Lord Danbury replied with a good-natured smile, “though I fear the hostess might not take too kindly to that.”
Minerva caught a glance of Evan from the corner of her eye.
There he was again, as if by design, never approaching her directly but always within view.
He stood in conversation with a group of gentlemen near the far end of the room, his back to her now, but even without his face in view, she could recognize his confident stance.
Her fan paused mid-tap as she tried to take a breath to calm her annoyance.
“Lady Minerva, are you feeling quite well?” Lady Amelia Townsend, one of her companions, asked, her tone polite but with an undercurrent of curiosity.
Minerva blinked, quickly pulling her attention back to the conversation. “Oh, yes. Quite well, thank you.” She forced a smile, hoping to dispel any suspicion.
“You do seem rather distracted,” Lord Danbury observed, though his tone was gentle, not accusatory. “I do hope I haven’t bored you with my tales of country antics.”
“Not at all,” Minerva replied, shaking her head. “Your stories are delightful, my lord. I have simply... I think the heat of the room has gotten to me a bit.”
Lady Fitzhugh gave a knowing look and leaned in conspiratorially. “Ah, my dear, it is not the heat of the room that is gotten to you. I daresay I have noticed you glancing across the ballroom a time or two.”
Minerva felt a flush rise in her cheeks. “I have merely been observing the guests,” she said, trying to sound casual, though she was sure Lady Fitzhugh had seen through her.
Lord Danbury smiled, though there was a touch of curiosity in his eyes. “Well, if You are in need of fresh air, I would be happy to escort you for some lemonade, Lady Minerva.”
“Perhaps later,” she replied politely.
Minerva stifled an exasperated sigh and turned back to Lord Danbury. No more, she told herself firmly. She would not spend another moment preoccupied with him. Tonight was for herself, for finding suitors who respected her as more than just an entertainment or conquest.
Yet, whenever her attention began to settle, there he was again, as if by design, never approaching her directly but always within sight.
Evan’s laughter rang out once again, light and full of charm.
The group of ladies surrounding him appeared enraptured, their faces glowing with amusement at whatever he had said.
Of course, she thought with a hint of bitterness. He has no shortage of attention.
“So, Lady Minerva,” Lord Danbury’s voice cut through her thoughts, “do you have any plans for the summer? Will you be staying in London, or returning to the countryside?”
“I believe we shall be staying in London,” Minerva replied, almost automatically.
“You must come visit then, if you schedule allows, I would be delighted to share with you some of the adventures of the countryside,” Lord Danbury invited.
“Perhaps some country air would do me well,” Minerva allowed, not committing herself to a visit.
He seemed pleased with her response, and the conversation continued, but Minerva’s attention wandered again. No matter how much she tried to focus, there was always that irritating pull, that awareness of where he was in the room.
Just as she felt more engaged with Lord Danbury’s stories, Evan’s laughter rang out across the ballroom once more.
She clenched her fan, irritation seeping into her veins as she forced herself to smile at Lord Danbury.
She knew she was being unreasonable; he had every right to enjoy himself.
But knowing that didn’t soothe the growing resentment coiled within her.
Meanwhile, Evan did not even glance in her direction. The longer it went on, the more she felt that tight knot of frustration building in her chest.
Why wasn’t he coming to talk to her? He was always nearby, always within eyesight, but he never made a move toward her. She’d spent the entire evening avoiding him, but now, the longer he kept his distance, the more it grated on her nerves.
I do not care, she told herself firmly, though the words rang hollow in her mind. I am here to enjoy myself, not to think about him.
And still, he did not approach her.
Minerva’s chest tightened. This is absurd, she thought, but no matter how hard she tried to shake the feeling, it gnawed at her.
What was he playing at?
Why do I care? she thought angrily, feeling foolish for even allowing herself to wonder. It is better this way. Let him stay away. Let him flirt with every lady present if he wished.
She had her own life to enjoy, her own path to carve. And as she exchanged polite farewells with her company, she held her chin a little higher, ready to put Evan from her mind.
But no matter how much she tried to convince herself that she did not care, a part of her—an irritating, insistent part—couldn’t help but feel... annoyed.
The soft strains of the next waltz began to fill the air, and Minerva stood near the edge of the ballroom, trying to quell the growing frustration that had settled in her chest. I won’t let him get under my skin, she reminded herself, her fingers smoothing the silk of her gown.
Evan had spent the entire evening ignoring her, leaving her to navigate the social waters alone, even as they remained in one another’s periphery.
She forced herself to focus on the conversation she had joined moments before—a perfectly polite discussion about the upcoming summer season.
But no matter how much she smiled and nodded, her mind kept drifting back to him.
Every so often, she felt the prickling awareness of his presence nearby, like a phantom lingering in the corners of her vision.
It wasn’t until Lord Michael Gillies approached her that the full intensity of Evan’s stare hit her.
“Lady Minerva,” Lord Gillies greeted her with a polite smile, bowing slightly. “Might I have a word?”
Minerva blinked, turning to face him fully. She smiled politely. “Of course, Lord Gillies.”
He stepped closer, his voice dropping slightly as he inclined his head toward her. “I couldn’t help but notice that you haven’t taken to the floor yet this evening.” His eyes gleamed with intent. “I would be honored if you would join me for the next dance.”
Minerva hesitated, but only for a moment. Lord Gillies was a gentleman, after all, and there was no reason to refuse him. “I would be happy to, my lord.”
Minerva smiled politely at Lord Gillies as he offered her his arm, leading her toward the edge of the dance floor where they could watch the dancers glide through the figures.
The lively music echoed in the background, but Minerva’s thoughts were distracted, especially when she saw Evan’s rakish smirk become more of a glower when he noticed her on Lord Gillies’s arm.
Lord Gillies, ever the gentleman, broke the silence. “Lady Minerva, I must say, this evening has been even more enjoyable than I anticipated. I have had the pleasure of speaking with many fine guests, but none have been as engaging as you.”
Minerva’s smile faltered for a fraction of a second before she forced herself to respond. “You are too kind, my lord. The evening is lovely, as is the company.”
His smile softened, his gaze lingering on her longer than necessary. “I must confess, I have been watching you for much of the evening.”
Minerva’s heartbeat quickened at his admission, though she couldn’t help the brief thought of another man who had been watching her as well—though his gaze was far more unsettling.
“I hope you do not find my attention unwelcome,” Lord Gillies continued, his voice steady but with an edge of genuine concern. “I admire your grace, Lady Minerva. There is something about you that stands out, even in a room full of the most accomplished ladies of the ton.”
She shifted, suddenly feeling exposed under his attentive gaze. While his words were flattering, something in her chest tightened with unease. “You flatter me, Lord Gillies,” she replied softly. “But I assure you, I am no more deserving of attention than any other lady present.”
Lord Gillies tilted his head slightly, studying her with thoughtful eyes. “You are far too modest, Lady Minerva. It is that very quality, in fact, that I find most refreshing.”
As they approached the dance floor, the music paused briefly while couples shifted, preparing for the next figure.
Minerva tried to compose herself, the tension within her pulling in two different directions.
Lord Gillies was everything she should want in a suitor.
And yet, the lack of any deeper connection gnawed at her, a sensation she couldn’t quite shake.