Chapter Two #2
“That’s as may be,” she said stiffly. She needed to cool down…easier said than done in a forge. “Still, I am sorry for it. Good morning, sir.”
Picking up the hammer, Minny examined it for a moment, then immediately thrust it back into the forge. Another reheating. If her father could see her now—
“You are the blacksmith, aren’t you?” came the curious voice behind her.
Minny rolled her eyes. Men. And they thought they had the superior intelligence!
“However did you work that out?” she asked sweetly as she turned back to the anvil and the waiting belt buckle.
“Ah,” said Mr. Everleigh helplessly. “In that case, it is my turn to apologize.”
“Yes, I rather think that it is,” Minny said. “But as I have much work to do and only one pair of hands, I will save you the trouble of shaking mine and merely recommend the door right behind you.”
She dropped her gaze to the belt buckle and tried not to permit disappointment to seep into her heart.
She was being foolish. No man who looked like that would fail to find female admirers. He was here because he was nosey, passing through no doubt, and would soon be gone.
And the village of Pathstow, Minny thought with a wry grin, would be better off without him. Less pleasing to look at, but—
“You’re still here,” Minny could not help but say as she gently teased the glowing metal into a more pleasing shape.
“You are an intelligent woman.”
It was a great effort to prevent herself from rolling her eyes again. Well, really. Any man thought a little gentle flattery would get them everywhere. Perhaps it would have done, if he had not been so irritating when he had first come in.
Minny did not look up. “Doesn’t take a genius to notice no steps were taken. You can go, you know.”
“I don’t want to go. I came here to find the blacksmith.”
Why was there such a curious tone in his voice? Oh, Minny knew many people were curious about her taking over the smithy. Outsiders, that was. Villagers knew her, knew her father, knew the name. It was unusual, yes, but it was Minny.
But this man, this Mr. Everleigh’s voice was more than curious. It suggested he had many questions and would refuse to take no for an answer.
A strange sort of curiosity curled around her own heart. What was a man like him doing here? Why could he possibly have come to find the owner of this forge? There was no bundle on him, nothing that could require mending.
Perhaps he had a commission for her.
Minny tried to force the excitement from her chest. That would be too much to hope for. Commissions were where the money was, and she had never received one. Seen her father accept them, of course, but never been offered one.
Perhaps he wanted a silversmith, a recommendation. Perhaps he was lost. No, that didn’t make sense; he could have asked anyone directions.
“What do you want?” she said finally, frowning as she concentrated on the last little hit of her hammer that would finish the belt off.
“I want to learn smithing.”
It was fortunate indeed that Minny had lifted her hand at that moment, rather than tried to finish off the complex work. She would have ruined the belt, such was the jolting surprise that rushed through her arm and shoulder at his words.
“I want to learn smithing.”
Minny straightened and looked straight into Mr. Everleigh’s eyes.
And gasped. It was swiftly stifled, and thankfully her cheeks were already red thanks to the glowing forge.
There was nothing but blazing honesty in that man’s eyes.
He truly wished to learn. He wanted to be here, at the very least. Minny had never seen such an expression of determination in anyone—save perhaps, herself.
She had a looking glass, a small one, inherited from her mother.
She had seen in Mr. Everleigh’s eyes the same look she’d had when she had taken over the forge.
Absolute determination. The expectation of getting her own way. A complete denial of all other opinions.
It was like seeing someone across a crowded room and suddenly knowing, knowing that person was important.
She could not explain it. Minny was not even sure she had the vocabulary for it.
But it was impossible. Reason rushed back into her mind as she blinked, staring at the handsome Mr. Everleigh. No, given her…other activities, there was no possibility of risking having a stranger about the place.
Besides, she needed to concentrate on her own smithing. She needed to build up the business, create the best work possible. How was she supposed to do that while teaching?
Teaching, Minny could not help but think, a handsome man who had already proved to be far too much of a distraction…
“No,” she said firmly.
“I am afraid I do not usually take no for an answer,” said Mr. Everleigh lightly.
A smile quirked Minny’s lips. “Well, then, I am glad to give you a change of pace.”
He laughed, but the laughter faded as he saw her resolute expression. “You are in earnest.”
“Never more so,” said Minny.
The belt was finished. She could move it in a moment and polish it later. Then start with the sickles next, though there was a set of horseshoes already paid for that—
“I am sorry, Miss Banfield, but I must insist,” said Mr. Everleigh slowly, stepping forward.
He could come no further, there was an anvil between them, and Minny found herself rather glad of that fact.
He was a strong man, this Mr. Everleigh, not only in body but in mind. If he placed those firm fingers on her arms in an attempt to persuade her, she was not sure what she would do…
Scandalous thoughts cascaded through her mind.
Minny pushed them away, cheeks surely flushing with embarrassment. The very idea of her letting him touch her!
“I want to learn smithing,” Mr. Everleigh insisted.
“Go into any forge in the country,” Minny said, her mouth dry. “They’ll teach you.”
“It has to be you.”
He was mad! Why on earth did he want her?
Not want her, Minny thought swiftly. Not want her, precisely.
“I have been told Banfield is the best blacksmith outside London,” Mr. Everleigh was saying. “And I wish to learn from the best.”
A prickle of irritation made Minny say, “Best in London, too, I’ll be bound.”
“Well, there you are then,” said Mr. Everleigh triumphantly. “I will simply have to learn from you.”
Minny cursed herself for falling so swiftly into his trap. Perhaps he wasn’t a complete dolt after all—but that did not mean that she would risk her secret being exposed by having a man about the place!
“I can pay you.”
She swallowed and glanced into the knowing eyes of the man before her. Money would certainly be useful, lessen the pressure, as it were.
But she could not take such a risk. No. Tempting as this man and his offer were, she simply would not jeopardize it.
“I am sorry, Mr. Everleigh, but there is no apprentice position available at my forge,” Minny said sweetly. “Goodbye.”
“But—”
“I said,” Minny repeated, picking up her hammer, coming around the anvil, and pushing the man toward the door. “Goodbye.”
With a great shove Mr. Everleigh had evidently not been expecting, Minny pushed him onto the pavement and slammed the door behind her.
Then she leaned against the door and tried to catch her breath. Well! Had any woman ever been so tempted?