Page 24 of The Duke's Accidental Wallflower
“Your Grace, Lady Minerva,” came the voice of Miss Emily Abernathy. The young debutante, with her soft auburn curls and a delicate blush always lingering on her cheeks, approached their table with a shy but determined smile. She smoothed the skirt of her pale yellow gown as she spoke. “Lady Minerva, I simply had to come over and compliment you on the garden party. It is positively enchanting.”
Minerva blinked, momentarily thrown off. “Thank you, Miss Abernathy,” she replied, her voice a touch stiff as she tried to regain her composure. She had little doubt that Emily’s true target wasn’t the garden party, but the duke.
Evan, however, looked rather amused by the interruption. “Miss Abernathy,” he greeted smoothly, his smile as charming as ever. “I am sure Lady Minerva appreciates your kind words.”
Emily flushed under his gaze, her eyes darting to him before returning to Minerva. “Yes, well, I just thought... with such a wonderful hostess and guest list, it must be quite the achievement to bring together such... distinguished company.” Her gaze flicked back to Evan, clearly struggling to maintain her composure in front of him.
Minerva could see through the feigned admiration for the event, but she nodded politely. “Thank you,” she said, though her patience was wearing thin.
There was a brief silence, and Emily, clearly eager to keep the conversation going, clasped her hands together. “And... forgive me for being so curious, but how is it that you two know each other?” She glanced between Minerva and Evan, her curiosity piqued and her blush deepening.
Minerva’s heart skipped.There it is.
Before Evan could speak, Minerva quickly interjected, her voice too cheerful and rushed. “We... met at a ball! Just a simple introduction at a ball.”
The debutante blinked, looking between them, clearly expecting more. Evan, however, was far from done.
“A ball, yes,” he agreed smoothly, though his eyes gleamed with amusement. “But it wasn’t just any conversation. In fact, I have never enjoyed a first conversation with a woman quite as much as I did with Lady Minerva.”
Minerva stiffened, her eyes widening in alarm. She shot him a sharp, warning look, but Evan, entirely too pleased with himself, continued.
“I daresay it is a conversation I won’t soon forget.” His gaze slid over to her, a teasing smile playing on his lips as if daring her to respond.
Minerva’s heart raced, heat creeping up her neck. She could feel Emily Abernathy’s curious gaze flicking between them, the young woman clearly sensing something more than a polite encounter.Absolutely not.
“Oh, well,” Minerva cut in quickly, her voice strained but still bright, “it was nothing at all. If he had not reminded me, I would still be wondering where I knew him from. Completely forgettable, really.”
Evan raised an eyebrow. “Forgettable? I seem to recall quite the opposite. We were quite engaged in our conversation about literature.”
Minerva shot him another pointed look, her hands gripping her fan tightly in her lap. “Yes, well, you must be confusing it with one of your many other encounters, Your Grace. I am sure they all blend together after a while.”
Evan’s smirk only deepened. “Ah, but you are mistaken, Lady Minerva. Pity you escaped before we could properly finish our discussion.”
Minerva clenched her fists under the table, forcing a tight smile as she spoke through gritted teeth. “Yes, a pity indeed. But some conversations are better left unfinished.”
Emily’s eyes widened, clearly intrigued by the mysterious undertones in their words. She leaned in slightly, her curiosity unmistakable. “Well, it sounds like it was... quite a memorable meeting.”
Evan, his eyes still locked on Minerva, replied smoothly, “Oh, it was. One of the most memorable meetings I have had in quite some time.”
Minerva’s face burned, and she was about to interject again when Emily giggled nervously, and glanced back at her companions. “I should... probably return to my friends. It was a pleasure speaking with you, Your Grace, Lady Minerva.”
With that, Emily curtsied and quickly retreated, leaving Minerva alone with Evan.
Minerva’s patience finally snapped. She turned to him, her voice low but sharp as she hissed, “Are you trying to ruin me?”
Evan’s smirk widened, clearly delighted by her frustration. “Why, are you enjoying it?”
Ten
Minerva stood abruptly, her fan snapping shut in her hand. “If you will excuse me, Your Grace, I must see to the preparations for the games.”
Without waiting for a response, she turned on her heel and walked briskly toward the far end of the garden, her back straight as she moved.
Minerva swept away from Evan with purposeful strides, her heart pounding in her chest as she headed toward the gathering of guests mingling by the tea tables. She could still feel his gaze on her back, but she refused to look. She had more important matters to attend to—guests to charm, details to oversee, anything to distract herself fromhim.
As she approached the group of ladies gathered around Lady Radcliffe, Minerva adopted her most gracious smile. “Lady Radcliffe,” she greeted warmly, dipping her head in acknowledgment. “I hope you are enjoying the party.”
Lady Radcliffe, a plump, cheerful woman, beamed at Minerva. “Oh, my dear, it is simply wonderful! The garden is delightful, and the arrangements are as lovely as ever. You have outdone yourself.”
