Page 57 of One Night with an Earl

“Yes. Her name is Minerva Stanwell. Are you sure you want to speak with her? I do not wish to make you uncomfortable.”

“It’s not me I’m worried about.”

He helped her dismount, and she walked to where Minerva stood outside her home.

Ana smiled. “Hello. My name is Miss Gardner.”

“I’m Minerva, but I assume his lordship told you who I am.”

“He has told me what he knows.”

“Are you Lord Drake’s betrothed?”

Her stomach dropped. “Good heavens, no. I’m visiting Rosedown. I’m a companion to a young lady staying there.”

She tilted head and pursed her lips. “I saw the way his lordship looked at you when he helped you off your horse. I believe you mean much more to him than some other lady’s companion.”

An unwanted pulse of heat throbbed in her veins. The woman was perceptive. Or was it that obvious? Rather than deny her claim, Ana believed honesty was required between them if she wanted Minerva to speak the truth.

“We all have our secrets,” Ana said. “May I ask you about yours?”

Minerva turned, her eyes meeting Ana’s earnest gaze. “Why?”

“I want to help. Women must look after one another.”

Minerva’s fingers twisted in her skirts. “My betrothed is not a bad man, but the truth is that I never wanted to marry Benjamin. But my father insists, and I have little say.”

Ana thought of Penelope. She needed a choice in her life, and marriage was the most important decision of all. “Have you told your father how you feel about Aidan?”

“Yes.”

“Then why did he choose Benjamin?”

“Because Benjamin offered to give my family a cow.”

Ana blinked, uncertain if she heard correctly. “A cow? Your father sold you for a cow?”

Minerva lowered her eyes, a tinge of pink coloring her cheeks. “Is that so different from the aristocracy who sell their young debutantes by dangling rich dowries in front of bachelors?”

No. She reckoned it wasn’t.

Looking back, Ana had suitors, but soon after her father had gambled everything away, those suitors had disappeared. Clearly, they’d been more interested in her dowry than her.

“I made a decision. One night with the man of my choosing before I’m forced into a loveless marriage. Is that so wrong?”

Not at all. She’d made a choice when she’d crossed the threshold of the Silver Chalice to strike a deal with Madame Crescent. Even if Minerva was betrothed and what she did became common knowledge, the similarities were hard to ignore.

Ana met Oliver’s gaze across the clearing. His dark eyes pierced the distance between them. The ever-present tug of attraction remained, different but no less strong than when she’d first seen him in the brothel.

Him. She’d told Madame Crescent. I want him. Nothing had changed. She still desired Oliver. Even more now. Their day together so far had revealed more about him, intriguing things.

She turned to Minerva. “No. It is not wrong. What is unjust is that you are forced to marry a man you do not love. I promise to help.”

“How?”

“The Earl of Drake is a good man. He cares for his tenants. Trust me that he will make this right.”

Minerva grasped her hand. “Thank you, my lady.”