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Minerva stopped and faced him. “Yes, much like yourself.”
“But I love you.”
“And I’ve told you, I love you too. But that doesn’t change the situation. The Head of the Foreign Office has decided it’s their right to intervene. By demanding they cease and desist from any further matchmaking schemes, it is the only way I can ensure I’m free to choose my own future.”
Anthony stepped closer. “And that is what you truly wish for…the ability to choose.”
“Yes.”
“You do not fear Camdon might defeat you?”
She pondered over her interactions with Lord Camdon. The man would be a worthy opponent. However, she was certain the gentleman’s arrogance would ensure his defeat. “No, I do not. Do you think Lord Camdon has the ability to defeat me?”
“I haven’t been in the man’s company for many years. If he remains as sharp as I remember, he will not be easily defeated.”
Anthony’s assessment gave her pause. To date, his judgment of others had proven to be acutely accurate, and if Anthony believed it possible for her to lose, she’d have to ensure she employed a sound strategy to defeat Lord Camdon. “I shan’t worry about that until I hear whether or not the Head of the Foreign Office agrees to my terms. My current concern is the outcome ofourchess match.”
He arched a brow at her. “Afraid you might lose?”
“Yes.” She swallowed hard as she added, “And…I’m also afraid I might win.”
He bent a little lower until they were eye to eye. “You won’t win.”
Annoyance bubbled up within her. Damn the man’s green eyes, full of confidence and…and that twinkle that made her insides and mind turn to mushed turnips. His cocky reply should make her want to turn him away, except it had the opposite effect. She loved it when he challenged her versus acceding to her.
She crossed her arms over her chest. “We shall have to see about that.”
His gaze flickered to the tops of her breasts. Ha. She was able to tempt the man. For years he’d given her no clue as to if he returned her regard, leaving her hopeless. Whatever barricade he’d built to shield his thoughts and feelings was slowly crumbling, and she wasn’t certain if she should be elated or livid at the change. She was certainly cautious not to reveal her confusion.
“I’m an idiot for not challenging you in your first Season,” he said. “I’m a fool for not doing so in your second or third Season, but trust me when I say I’ve come to my senses.”
His response doused any sparks of anger within her. “You are a dullard for assuming I wanted a large family. You never asked what I really wanted.”
He hung his head. “Tell me, then, what is it that you really want?”
Minerva wrapped her arms around his waist and pressed her cheek to his chest. “If you had asked me a year ago, I would have said you.”
Chin on top of her head, he asked, “And now?”
“Now? Now I’m not certain.”
He wrapped her in his arms and hugged her close. “I’m sorry for mucking everything up.”
A sense of security and well-being enveloped her. If she were to lose to Anthony, he would without a doubt love and care for her, but she would never know what it would be like to live as Madame Rose—free and independent.
“Will you send word if you are to play Camdon?”
“I shall. And if I’m to play Lord Camdon, I suggest we adjust the terms of our match—we lift the restriction of one play per person per day.”
He pulled back to search her eyes. “I agree, if you allow me a kiss.”
The glint in Anthony’s gaze left no doubt in Minerva’s mind that the man had no intention of letting her win. His request was a reminder of what she would be sacrificing. If she wanted to taste what life could be like as an independent woman, she’d have to win and forgo marriage to this man—and his kisses.
She rolled up onto the balls of her feet and pressed her lips to his. He clutched her to him. Every inch of her was pressed against his hard body. She wanted to melt into him. Shock waves of pleasure rolled down her back as his tongue grazed her bottom lip. Never kissing Anthony again would be a hefty price to pay for independence.
He broke off the kiss and bent to carry her to bed. Her mind raced with possibilities. Would he lie with her? Would he take the decision of marriage entirely out of her hands?
She needn’t have worried, for as soon as her bottom touched the bed, he tucked her in like a child and left, practically running from the room.
