Page 10 of Once Tempted

Four

Minerva had so much to do that it had been easy to avoid Frederick Stonebeck over the past few days. To be sure their paths would not cross, she changed her morning routine entirely, taking breakfast very early, since he perpetually slept late. Even so, she still managed to know everything that went on in the manor from dawn till dusk concerning him.

To her disgust, it became clear that a great many wagers were being placed on the outcome of Frederick and Humphrey’s quest to win a place in the fair widow’s bed. The woman herself appeared to revel in the competition for her favor, revealing a side of herself that was far from admirable as she flirted with them both heartlessly.

So far, neither one had spent a night with the widow—not that she cared who her brother made love to, of course. But—and this bothered her more than she cared to admit—where Frederick Stonebeck lay his head at night concerned her a great deal.

She had foolishly admired him, but that admiration had burned away the moment she realized he really wanted to win that wager he’d made with her brother. What sort of man was he to toy with the affections of a woman for money alone?

Did he have no heart? No honor?

It was lowering to discover he was the same sort of man her brother must be beyond the estate’s borders. Only now that distant, sordid world of scandalous conquests was right under her nose.

She couldn’t like Frederick anymore…even though she couldn’t seem to stop thinking of him, or dread stumbling upon him and the widow alone together.

But wasn’t it better to have learned of his real character now, rather than later when she’d been made an even greater fool of over him? How had she ever imagined such a man sneaking away to kiss her as having honorable intentions?

Well, she’d been a drunken fool that night, and she had no one to blame but herself. She ought to have recognized that the flavor of her punch had changed behind her back. It was a great relief that no one besides herself and Frederick knew about their kiss. And thankfully, that sister rule Frederick spoke about would likely prevent him from revealing her lapse of decorum for fear of having to marry her.

She laughed bitterly.

All her adult life, she’d wanted a man to sweep her off her feet and fall madly in love with her. That was not going to happen anytime soon. Frederick was like all the other gentlemen she’d ever known. Fickle. Self-absorbed. Heartless. He had no interest in any woman without an incentive.

He just wanted to use them like her brother did. It was hardly the behavior of a gentleman to wager on winning a lady’s affections.

She was well rid of her infatuation with Frederick Stonebeck and must continue her search for a good man elsewhere.

Minerva headed toward her brother’s study, moving swiftly and silently through the halls. Striving to remain beneath anyone’s notice, especially the guests. She was sick of them all.

She tapped on her brother’s door and let herself inside, praying he was alone. Thankfully, he was. Sitting behind their late father’s great mahogany desk. “You wanted to see me, brother?”

“Yes, come in and sit down.” He looked up from his desk briefly, then frowned as he shuffled papers on the desk. “It’s not escaped my notice you’ve missed the last two dinners.”

“I wasn’t feeling well,” she told him, placing a hand on her belly. It wasn’t exactly a lie. Watching Frederick fawn over Mrs. Franks and knowing what he intended would only turn her stomach. The last thing she wanted to do was draw his attention to her as she cast up her accounts after such a scene.

Humphrey’s frown deepened. “Are you better now?”

“I’m much improved, thank you.” When she was busy, she didn’t think about that disgusting wager so much, or Frederick’s chances of winning. Because he would win. Any blind woman could see that Mrs. Franks favored his company.

“I want to talk to you about tonight’s dinner,” Humphrey said, observing her now through narrowed eyes.

His question and scrutiny made her nervous. “What about tonight?”

“You are excused from attending,” Humphrey said with a decisive nod of his head.

She was startled by his words, but utterly relieved. She would not have to make another excuse. She struggled not to show her glee and made herself look disappointed. “Oh.”

He nodded again, adjusting a single piece of paper on his desk. “I know the house party has been difficult for you, but after this one, you won’t have to do it again, I promise.”

She could not hide her relief at the news. A house party was all well and good, but it was exhausting for everyone at the estate. “It will be nice to have the house to ourselves again.”

He stood, pulled down his waistcoat, then stepped out from behind the desk. “Do you remember the summers you spent at the Cornwall estate, Minnie?”

Minerva had spent every summer at Cornwall for a few years with Mama and Humphrey. Climbing trees, running through long grass, watching storms roll in from the sea without Papa to disapprove of the state of her hair. They had been some of the best and most carefree days of her entire life. She’d thought they would last forever. But then Mama died, and all the happy summer days had ended. “Those were good times.”

“How would you like to go there?”

“I should love that,” she promised, full of excitement at his plans. Humphrey could use some wholesome scenery and fresh sea air in his lungs. It would do his demeanor the world of good. He might even remember to have fun. “When do we go?”