"I know enough," Tommy countered smoothly. "I know you're brilliant and quick-witted. I saw the way you handled that supplier at your father's warehouse. You didn't back down an inch."
Minnie's eyes widened in surprise. "The supplier? You were there? I didn’t see you there, in the warehouse. Although…”
"I have my ways," he said with a wink. "The point is, you intrigue me, Minnie Draper. And I'd very much like the chance to get to know you better.”
He knew that it was not his place. She should be rebuffing his advances, placing a greater chasm between them due to their social standings. She might not be of noble blood like Lily, but she was close enough, while he was a mere blacksmith – an apprentice at that.
But staring into those beautiful blue eyes that seemed to see straight into his very soul, Tommy found he didn't give a damn about propriety in that moment.
"I think I'd like that as well," she said. "Though we'll have to be discreet. My parents are trying to see me marriedoff, though I’m not thrilled about it. If word got out that I was socializing with a footballer–”
"You would be scandalized," Tommy finished for her, his hand finding hers under the table and entwining their fingers. Sparks of electricity seemed to dance across her skin at his touch. "I understand. I can keep a secret when I need to.Ifyou would like to take the chance. Only if."
Her brows lifted, and he knew what she was thinking. He was sure his reputation preceded him, and he was even surer that Colin had put their friendship to the side to warn Minnie off.
But he could tell that maybe, just maybe, she enjoyed the thrill of something scandalous.
"And what sort of chance might that be?" she asked, her tone playful yet laced with a hint of breathlessness.
Tommy reached out to brush a stray curl from her cheek, his fingertips grazing her skin and leaving a trail of heat in their wake. "The chance to get to know each other properly. Away from prying eyes and wagging tongues."
"And how do you propose we manage that?" she whispered, leaning into his touch, likely despite her better judgment. "I'm hardly ever without a chaperone."
"Leave that to me," Tommy assured her with another wink. "I can be quite resourceful when properly motivated."
Before Minnie could respond, a sharp clearing of a throat drew their attention. Rhys stood beside their table, his expression inscrutable as he regarded the pair of them. "It's getting late," he said pointedly. "We should see Miss Draper home."
Tommy sat back reluctantly, his hand falling away from Minnie's face. "Of course," he agreed. Despite his disappointment, he knew Rhys was right. He stood and offered Minnie his arm. "Allow me to escort you out."
Minnie accepted his arm, the heat of her body seeping through the fabric of his shirt and warming his skin. As theymade their way through the crowded tavern, Tommy leaned in close to her ear as he spoke low enough for only her to hear.
"This isn't over, Minnie. Not by a long shot. I'll find a way for us to continue this conversation. I promise you that."
With those parting words, he handed her over to Rhys and Emmaline.
And missed her already as she walked away.
Chapter Three
It was almost as though Minnie was floating through the house the next day.
All she could think about was the way Tommy had looked at her, the intent in his eyes when he had promised her that they would see one another again very soon.
She had believed every word of it and could hardly wait until he made good on that promise – even if she knew that it was likely far from her best interests to do so.
She peeked into the drawing room, but upon seeing her mother sitting there entertaining Mrs. Nesbitt, one of the nosiest busybodies in Manchester, Minnie silently crept away from the room, staring at the empty stretch of corridor, missing her sister now as much as she had many times over the past year, since her sister had married and moved away to Sheffield.
They had been close, and while it was only two hours by train, it certainly wasn’t just down the hall as they had been for years growing up with one another.
The loss of her sister’s presence had only added to Minnie’s sense of aimlessness, although she could admit thatyesterday, for what felt like a fleeting moment, it had passed during the football game and her time with Tommy in the tavern afterward.
She had tried different pastimes to cure her boredom, including playing with Emmaline’s women’s football team. She hadn’t been as skilled as her friend Ada, but she had enjoyed it for a time. Her parents hadn’t been particularly pleased when they found out, although that had made her want to continue playing even more. She joined in whenever her time allowed.
She heard voices from down the hall and realized they were coming from her father’s study. Her curiosity led her to creep closer, until she was right outside the door. It was likely only business negotiations, but even that seemed far more interesting than anything else that could occupy her time.
Her father’s low voice rumbled through the study and down the hall, anger lacing his tone.
“Mr. Blackwood, I told you before that you are not welcome in my home.”
