Page 5 of Once Tempted

“How do you know that?”

“Because he told me, many times, that he’d sooner die than bend his knee,” he explained. “All my friends feel that way.”

Minerva was offended by his disdain for marriage, but she made herself laugh in the face of unpleasantness, as she always did. “That is not true. When they meet the right woman, your friends will sing a different tune. Cassel, Dunsworth and Forman were your best friends. They all married.”

“Those were exceptional circumstances,” he conceded after a moment.

“Yes, they fell in love!” she insisted.

“That is not the case with Moore or you—and please lower your voice in case someone hears us,” he begged.

“Why should I?” She smiled at him…and he winced. “Oh, because you don’t want to marry, either. Especially not someone like me.”

“I did not say that,” he promised.

But she couldn’t believe him.

“You’re inebriated and not thinking clearly. Your brother would not like me to be alone with you. He will say⁠—”

“I know what my brother says to potential suitors,” she complained, and then smiled as if it didn’t hurt. “I’m sure your bachelorhood is quite safe from entrapment.”

He turned slowly, frowning at her. “What does your brother say to your suitors?”

“Oh, a great many ridiculous things I won’t bother to bore you with.”

He took a pace toward her. “Minerva…what did he say to your suitors?”

“I don’t know word for word what he says to them, but I know the effect it has. After a little talk with Humphrey, they all beg my forgiveness and never call on me again. My brother scares everyone away, and he is solely responsible for every failed romance I’ve ever had.”

“No!”

“Yes. I’m surprised you haven’t heard the talk already,” she said, then laughed bitterly. “But then, you haven’t shown any interest in me at all, have you?”

He shook his head. “I cannot believe they apologize for leading you on. Why would they do that?”

“Oh, because I’m such a good sport and harmless. They thank me, too. Or thank my brother, really. If not for Humphrey setting them on a different path, they’d never have met and married their current wives. They’d never be so happy, not being married to me,” she complained quietly, and then shrugged.

Knowing what she knew of those men now, she wasn’t entirely bitter about the loss of their attention, or about not having married them in the end. Most had made their wives unhappy, instead of her. She ought to be thankful for her narrow escapes.

She glanced at Frederick and realized he was just like them. A man with no serious intentions toward anyone. He lived for immediate pleasures, and she wasn’t one of them. She had wished he might have been different. But this too would probably be a narrow escape—provided they were not found alone together. The humiliation she’d feel over him might be greater, though. “You’d better run away, sir. The widow will be getting cold without you.”

He pursed his lips and folded his arms across his wide chest. He couldn’t intimidate her, she knew him too well for that to occur, but he might tempt her to forgive him far too easily. “I never said⁠—”

“You didn’t have to. I’m not blind to her appeal.” She quickly lowered her eyes. “Yes, all the bachelors are eager to cheer up the sad lady downstairs. Despite my mistake tonight, I know how you bachelors think about women. Widows don’t expect a marriage proposal and are the safer choice for a dalliance.”

He laughed softly. “You are a strange woman, but not wrong.”

“Strange and bound to be a spinster forever,” she said, and burst to her feet, full of frustration and anger at her situation. Yet she spoiled the effect of her outrage by wobbling enough that Frederick reached for her arm to steady her.

She pulled herself, reluctantly, out of his grip. “I think I will retire for the night, after all. I’m not feeling well.”

“Eat something. It will help settle your stomach,” he suggested.

“Yes, I’ll just feed my disappointment with yet another generous late supper like I’ve always done and add another inch round my middle.”

“I like your curves,” he admitted, flashing her a cheeky smile as he looked her over from head to toe.

Although she blushed, flattered by the flirtation, she couldn’t believe a word he said about her figure. She wasn’t the type of woman Frederick usually pursued. She’d known that for years and years but had forgotten tonight. Frederick Stonebeck normally pursued tall, willowy widows by default. Someone he couldn’t be forced into marrying if they were found in a compromising position.