Page 13 of Once Tempted

Five

“There you are!” Frederick said, relieved to finally spot Minerva Chase again, sitting in a wood hut out on the cold grounds and very much alone—though he could swear he’d heard her talking to someone.

He’d spotted her rushing away from the manor and had given discreet chase to the wily woman. The snow was really starting to come down thicker now than when he’d started out. He would escort her back to the warmth and comfort of her family home soon. But first he had to talk to her. “Are you avoiding everyone, or just me?”

She smiled brightly. “Why would I avoid anyone?”

But then she winced, as if she was in pain.

Alarmed, he rushed to the woodshed and bent down to look at her face. “Are you all right? Are you hurt?”

“Of course, I’m not hurt,” she said, bristling with outrage at his question.

“I’ve been looking everywhere for you,” he said, moving even closer and crouching down to avoid the worst of the weather. The wind was viciously cold today, which made him curious about why Minerva had left the manor to come here, of all places. “I didn’t see you at breakfast.”

“I have duties to fulfill,” she sniffed.

“Did those duties prevent you from joining us for every single meal, every entertainment, for two days in a row? I had to suffer through another poetry recital from Hudson last night without you.”

She shrugged. “I’m sure you were amply entertained by others more suited to your flirtations.”

“Yes, it has been an amusing few days. Mrs. Franks has played music a great deal.” Hounding Frederick, too, with beseeching eyes, even while Chase tried to charm his way into her bed. So far, Mrs. Franks seemed to enjoy having all the men vying for her attention. “Hudson has bored me nearly to tears, and you should have been there to suffer along with me.”

Minerva shrugged. “Did you turn the pages for Mrs. Franks?”

“No, your brother claimed the honor each night.”

She snorted. “Ah, so has he won the wager already?”

“No, but I’m glad you brought up the subject, because that is exactly what I’ve wanted to talk about with you for days. You overheard my conversation with your brother, didn’t you? I thought you must have done,” he murmured, watching her closely. “I feared that was why you’re avoiding the party, and me now?”

“Of course not. And I hardly care what you find amusing.”

He did not quite believe that. He’d seen her face. Her disgust at him. Her hurt expression haunted him, and made him ashamed, too. But it was all a lie. His heart was not really in the bet, and for reasons she absolutely had to know about, and today.

“It’s not what you think,” he promised, and glanced around at the wood hut as the wind blew snow in his eyes. There was a tiny bit of space beside Minerva, and he squeezed into it. Perched precariously on uneven split wood, he strove to appear harmless. “Oh, that’s so much better.”

“I’ve no desire for company,” she said, her posture growing stiff as a board. “Least of all yours.”

He studied her face. “You’re angry with me.”

“I am not angry with anyone,” she said haughtily, and then smiled. “I was simply enjoying the solitude of the snowy day until you came to interrupt.”

“Amid a pile of chopped wood,” he noted. Then leaned toward her to whisper, “I had no idea your interests were so rustic. Don’t you usually go to that charming secret room of yours when you want to avoid people? I went there first, looking for you each day.”

“Clearly it is not a secret anymore,” she said sourly—and then suddenly yelped.

“Now really! You can’t hide anything from me. I know something is wrong with you,” he cried, determined to find out what, right now. “Tell me, what is it? Tell me what I can do to help?”

She held her skirts close to her knees, using both hands in an effort to subdue them. “Nothing is wrong.”

“There is. I can tell you’re lying,” he insisted.

She exhaled and slapped at her legs. “Fine. There is something under my gown.”

He gulped and closed his eyes. Legs. Legs were under gowns, and then higher was…

Dear God. The thought of Minerva’s legs, wrapped around his waist as they made love, made him hot all over. He shook his head to dispel that image quickly. He focused on her face and saw her wince again. “You’re in pain.”