Page 25 of An Earl Unmasked
“Truth be told, I’m not yet ready to marry,” he said.
She studied him closely. “That may be the case; however, I also know Drake. I know him well, and jealous or not, he would never offer to marry me.”
He had to change tactics. Perhaps if he placed her on the defensive, he might get his way.
“Do you fear I may defeat you?”
“Ha. I highly doubt soldiers carry about with them a chess set. When was the last time you even played?”
“I believe I was twelve.” He hadn’t played with wooden pieces, but his chess pieces had been of the human variety. “If you believe you can easily defeat me, what is the harm? It will afford you an excuse to ignore Drake.”
He did not take his gaze away from her as she pondered over his argument. He heard someone approaching from behind. “Lady Minerva, you best makeyour decision.”
Clapping a hand on Randal’s shoulder, Drake asked, “What are the two of you whispering about?”
Minerva answered loudly enough for all to hear, “Lord Chestwick would like to play a game of chess, and I was explaining to him the risks of doing so.”
“Having just returned from the Continent, I wasn’t aware you were in a rush to marry.”
“To wed was the primary reason I returned to England. Duty to the title and all.” Randal smiled at Minerva. “If I were to win, Minerva would be saving me from having to endure the trials of a Season.”
“Minerva, you cannot possibly be considering playing Chestwick.”
“Why not?”
“You have known him for all of what? Two days?”
“What does it matter if I’ve known my opponent for days or years?”
Drake turned to the eldest Malbury. “Kent, are you going to allow this nonsense to proceed?”
Kent looked at Minerva. “Do you wish to play Chestwick?”
Minerva glanced at Diana, who nodded. What was the look about? Minerva turned to face Randal. “Let us be clear upon the terms.”
Randal nodded. “I win, I have your hand in marriage. If you win…”
Minerva leaned in to speak directly into his ear so Drake and none of the others could hear. “Agreed, if you win, we shall marry; however, if I win, you, Lord Chestwick, will marry Diana by summer’s end.”
Randal leaned back and frowned. He glanced at Kent, who had a worried look. “Why would I agree to such terms.”
The idea of marrying Diana appealed to him, but to admit it… However, he hardly knew her.
“My terms are non-negotiable. Do you accept?”
Minerva’s steady gaze had a trickling of unease rolling down his back. She was playing to win.
He turned back to glance at Diana. The frown and uncertainty told him she was not aware of her sister’s scheme. He wouldn’t want his future to be dictated by another. He leaned in close to Minerva. “Does Diana know of your terms?”
“Nay.”
He winged his arm and pulled her away from Drake and the others and toward the chess board. “Would you wish for another to dictate who is to be your husband?”
Minerva’s steps faltered. “Nay.”
“What do you say if we modify the terms slightly—should you win, I shall afford Diana full unrestricted access to the library at Chestwick Hall.”
Minerva’s eyebrow arched. “And…”
