Page 36 of The Duke's Accidental Wallflower
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 ofanotherman 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.
Lord Gillies cleared his throat, stepping a little closer. “I hope you won’t think me too forward, Lady Minerva, but I must ask... have you given any thought to... your future?”
Minerva blinked, momentarily caught off guard by the directness of his question. “My future?” she echoed, her brow furrowing slightly.
He gave a small, almost self-conscious smile. “Yes. I mean to say, I know your family—like mine—must consider your prospects. A lady of your grace and station deserves nothing but the best.”
Her heartbeat quickened, but not in the way she expected. “I... have not thought about it recently,” she admitted, feeling a slight flush creep up her neck.Why did this conversation feel so suffocating?
Lord Gillies misinterpreted her hesitation, as he quickly continued, his tone gentle but insistent. “I hope I am not overstepping, Lady Minerva, but I would like the opportunity to call on you. Perhaps tomorrow, if it pleases you?”
Minerva felt her breath catch, realizing what he meant. This was a courtship inquiry, there was no doubt about it. Something in her balked at the idea.
Before she could respond, Lord Gillies smiled again, his hand reaching out slightly, though he hesitated to touch her. “I know this may come as a surprise, but I have admired you for some time. I believe we could be well-suited for one another.”
His tone was sincere, his words carefully chosen. Any other lady would have swooned at such a proposal, but Minerva’s mind was elsewhere. No matter how much she tried to focus on LordGillies, she couldn’t shake the unsettling awareness of Evan standing somewhere in the ballroom, undoubtedly watching.
Minerva swallowed hard, her voice faltering slightly as she replied. “You... are very kind, my lord. I?—”
Before she could finish, the music swelled again, signaling the start of the next dance. Lord Gillies, sensing her hesitation but unwilling to let the moment pass, gently took her hand, his smile warm and encouraging.
Minerva’s steps faltered just slightly before she quickly regained her composure. His request wasn’t unexpected, and truth be told, it was the kind of attention she had hoped to receive. Lord Gillies was an excellent match—a man of good standing, someone she could easily envision a stable future with.
So why do I hesitate?she thought, her mind flashing briefly to the man standing only a few dancers away.
Forcing herself to focus on the present, Minerva smiled warmly at Lord Gillies. “I would be honored, my lord.”
His smile deepened, his satisfaction clear, and Minerva felt a pang of something unnamable—regret, perhaps? But why should she feel that? Lord Gillies was everything she should want—steady, intelligent, attractive in his own right. Yet there was no spark, no fire that made her pulse race or her heartbeat wildly.
As the dance carried them forward, Minerva’s gaze drifted once more toward Evan. He stood poised at the edge of the line, his date beside him, but his eyes were on her—just for a brief moment before the steps of the dance pulled them apart. He had not looked away, though. Even from across the room, his stare lingered, sending that familiar thrum through her veins.
The dance formations shifted again, and before she knew it, Minerva found herself paired with Evan, their hands clasping as the lively rhythm swept them into the next movement. The touch of his hand sent an undeniable current through her, and despite her best efforts to maintain her composure, she couldn’t ignore the warmth that spread from his palm to hers.
“Lady Minerva,” Evan greeted her with an infuriatingly smug smile as they twirled together. “I must confess, your choice of partners intrigues me greatly.”
Minerva narrowed her eyes, trying to ignore the flutter in her chest. “Is that your way of saying you are jealous, Your Grace?” she quipped, her tone sharp.
Evan chuckled, a low sound that sent a shiver down her spine. “Hardly. I am merely surprised. I thought you had better taste.”
Minerva’s eyes narrowed, her irritation flickering to life. “You really have bad manners, Your Grace,” she replied coolly, though her voice held a sharp edge. “Perhaps that is why no lady of good sense would partner with you.”
Evan chuckled, his gaze sparkling with amusement. “Ah, but they do. Perhaps not for the same reasons as your Lord Gillies, but I do manage to entertain.”
Minerva stiffened, her pulse quickening despite herself. He was too close, his presence overwhelming, and his words—meant to tease—only served to deepen her frustration. “I see You are back to your old tricks, Your Grace,” she said through gritted teeth. “No wonder You are always surrounded by admirers.”
Evan leaned in slightly, his voice dropping to a low murmur. “Is that a hint of jealousy I detect?”
