Chapter 16
Sixteen
Minerva stood in the center of Samantha’s family gallery, her eyes wide with awe as she took in the grand collection of art on display.
The chandeliers overhead bathed the room in a warm, golden glow, illuminating the intricate frames and delicate brushstrokes of the paintings that adorned the walls.
She turned slowly, her gaze sweeping over the gallery, a soft smile tugging at her lips.
“I do not know how your family does it, Samantha,” Minerva said, her voice brimming with admiration as she sipped from the tall glass of champagne in her hand. “Every year, this event somehow manages to outshine the last.”
Samantha grinned, her green silk gown reflecting the room's warmth. “Mother is relentless when it comes to her art collections. She treats it as if every new piece is a victory.” She gestured toward a grand landscape painting hanging on the far wall, its frame heavy with gilded ornamentation. “That one’s from last month. You should’ve seen her fight off Lady Linfield for it. ”
Minerva gave a polite smile, but her attention was barely on the conversation. Samantha, ever perceptive, shot her a sideways glance.
“Are you even listening to me, Minerva?”
Before she could answer, Cherie appeared by their side, her laughter floating through the air like music.
“Oh, do not be too hard on her, Samantha. It is clear that Minerva’s a bit distracted tonight.
” She leaned in conspiratorially, her eyes gleaming with mischief.
“Perhaps she is scanning the room for a certain duke?”
Minerva’s heart skipped a beat, but she forced herself to laugh, though it came out more strained than she intended. “Hardly.”
Cassandra joined them, sweeping in with her usual grace, her deep blue gown trailing elegantly behind her. “Who are we gossiping about?” she asked, raising an eyebrow as she sipped her champagne.
“No one worth gossiping about,” Minerva replied quickly, trying to steer the conversation away from Evan before her friends dug any deeper.
“Hmm, I do not know,” Cassandra said, casting a knowing look around the room. “The way you keep glancing over your shoulder suggests otherwise.”
“I am not glancing anywhere,” Minerva protested, straightening her posture as if that would somehow bolster her defense.
Cherie laughed, clearly enjoying herself. “Oh, darling, please. You have been casting secret looks over there the whole evening. You have barely looked at the art, which is alarming considering how much you usually fawn over Ellington’s work.”
Minerva felt her cheeks warm. “I am not casting secret looks.”
“Who’s over there, then?” Cassandra pressed, her tone light but curious. “Surely You are not still hiding a secret admirer from us?”
Minerva tightened her grip on her glass and tried to feign indifference. “There’s no secret. Honestly, I came here to admire the art, not to—”
Samantha cut in, her voice teasing. “You do realize we are your friends, right? If there’s something you need to confess—say, a certain duke who keeps finding his way into your orbit—we are all ears.”
Minerva swallowed/ She wasn’t ready to admit anything to them, especially not when she herself was still trying to figure out what was going on. Her friends, however, weren’t the type to let things go easily, and the longer she tried to keep her distance, the more interested they became.
“I think you do not know of what you speak,” Minerva said, trying her best to keep her voice casual, though she could feel the walls closing in around her.
“Oh, come now, Minerva,” Cherie said with a playful nudge. “We saw you dancing with Lord Gillies last night, and yet You have been on edge all evening. You should be thrilled. He is practically perfect for you. So why the long face?”
Samantha’s eyes gleamed with a knowing look. “Unless, of course, someone else has caught your eye?”
Minerva opened her mouth to respond, but no words came out. She was cornered, and the truth was, she had not even figured it out herself. Was it Evan? Was it her frustration with how Lord Gillies had fit so perfectly into the idea of what her life should be, and yet... something was missing?
“Not this again,” Minerva muttered, brushing a loose strand of hair from her face. “Lord Gillies is a fine man, and yes, I danced with him, but—”
“There’s always a ‘but,’” Cassandra said with a grin, her eyes sparkling with the thrill of the conversation. “Spill it, Minerva. You know we’ll get it out of you sooner or later.”
Minerva sighed, knowing she couldn’t keep deflecting forever. “It is just...”
“Just what?” Samantha pressed, now thoroughly amused.
Just then, a waiter passed by with a tray of drinks, offering the group an opportunity to pause. Minerva seized the moment, grabbing another glass of champagne. “I think I need more of this,” she said with a forced laugh.
Samantha laughed, looping her arm through Minerva’s. “Come along, then. I will give you the private tour before the other guests catch on.”
As they made their way through the gallery, Minerva’s excitement rekindled. She pointed out her favorite pieces, her words quick and animated as she discussed the color palettes and compositions, her admiration for the artwork spilling out in enthusiastic waves.
“It is incredible how your family manages to curate such a collection,” Minerva said, her voice bright. “Every piece has its own story. It is like walking through history.”
Samantha chuckled, clearly pleased by her friend’s appreciation. “You know, Minerva, you are one of the few people I know who truly understands what goes into this. Most just come for the champagne.”
Minerva laughed, raising her glass in a playful toast. “Well, the champagne is certainly an added bonus.”
As they reached the next room, a hush fell over them.
This section of the gallery was quieter, with fewer guests milling about, allowing the two friends a moment of peace as they continued their conversation.
Minerva paused in front of a large landscape painting, her eyes tracing the sweeping hills and golden fields.
“Now this,” Minerva whispered, “is extraordinary.”
Samantha nodded in agreement, but before she could respond, Minerva’s gaze flicked toward the entrance of the gallery, her smile faltering for a brief moment. She thought she had seen... No, it couldn’t be.
Her heart gave a small flutter, and for a second, she swore she saw a tall figure in the doorway—a familiar silhouette with dark hair and a confident stride.
But as quickly as the moment came, it was gone.
The figure disappeared into the crowd, and Minerva shook her head, chiding herself for even entertaining the thought.
“Something wrong?” Samantha asked, noticing the change in her friend’s demeanor.
Minerva forced a smile, shaking her head. “No, not at all. Just... distracted.”
“Well, do not let the distractions ruin your night,” Samantha teased, nudging her lightly. “We’ve got art to admire, champagne to drink, and no time for whatever is swirling in that pretty little head of yours.”
Minerva laughed, though the flicker of disappointment lingered at the edges of her thoughts. She took another sip of champagne, pushing away the foolish notion that she had seen Evan. Of course he has not here, she told herself firmly. Why would he be?
Still, the thought gnawed at her as they continued their tour of the gallery.
She caught herself glancing toward the door again, half-expecting to see him standing there, but each time, her hopes were dashed.
And with each moment that passed, she grew more frustrated with herself. Why does it matter?
As Samantha led her toward the east wing, Minerva forced herself to focus on the art, her smile returning as she admired the new pieces on display. But no matter how hard she tried to concentrate, the nagging disappointment wouldn’t entirely leave her.
“Minerva,” Samantha called, drawing her attention back to the present. “You are miles away again.”
“I am here,” Minerva replied, her smile brightening. “Just... enjoying the evening.”
“Well, come along, then,” Samantha said, tugging her forward. “There’s more to see, and I have a feeling the next room might be your favorite yet.”
As they strolled further into the gallery, Minerva cast a sidelong glance at Samantha, trying to appear casual. The faintest hint of curiosity tugged at her as to if Evan even would have been invited, and though she wasn’t entirely sure why, she couldn’t resist the urge to ask.
“So, Samantha,” Minerva began, her tone light and conversational as she feigned interest in a nearby painting. “Anyone interesting invited to today’s event?”
Samantha, ever sharp, arched an eyebrow, a playful glint in her eye. “Oh, you know... the usual crowd. Family friends, prominent collectors...”
Minerva hummed in response, nodding as though she had not a care in the world. “And... anyone else of note?”
Samantha grinned, sensing her friend’s not-so-subtle attempt at gathering information.
“Well, now that you mention it...” She tapped a finger thoughtfully against her lips, pretending to rack her brain.
“Let’s see... Lord Archer is here, of course.
A bit dull, but very polite. Lord Radcliffe as well—he is quite the conversationalist if you can tolerate stories about his hunting trips. ”
Minerva gave a tight smile, knowing full well that Samantha was toying with her. “And...?”
“Oh, and of course, Lord Gillies made an appearance. How could I forget?” Samantha’s eyes sparkled with mischief, her grin widening. “I believe he has taken quite a liking to you, Minerva.”
Minerva rolled her eyes, though her chest tightened at the mention of Lord Gillies. “Is that so?” she said, her tone deliberately nonchalant. “I had not noticed.”
“Of course not,” Samantha teased, nudging her lightly with her elbow. “But really, Minerva, who are you looking for? I cannot help but notice you have been rather... distracted tonight.”