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“You should have more faith in me.”
“Beg pardon?”
“I know how important it is to you for me to win.” Minerva smiled and asked, “How long have you been in love with Lord Camdon?”
Charlotte’s shoulders stiffened, and then, with a mischievous grin, she asked, “At what age did you realize your heart belonged to Lord Drake?”
Not at all surprised that the young agent would demand a trade of information, Minerva chuckled. After all, secrets were a spy’s best currency. “I believe it was the year he turned twenty and I was fourteen.”
“Like Lord Drake, who falsely declares you to be like a little sister to him, Lord Camdon has never treated me like more than an acquaintance in society, and no more than a peer while on assignment. He has done so for the past three years.”
Her opponent’s treatment of Charlotte sounded all too familiar. Anthony had conducted himself in a similar fashion, only it had been for many more than for three years. Minerva tapped her forefinger on her chin. “Perhaps if I can lure Lord Camdon into believing he is a far superior chess player than I…”
Charlotte shook her head. “That plan won’t succeed. He’s well aware of your renowned chess strategy, both on and off the board.”
“Hmm…” Minerva began to pace. “What if I were able to convince him was in control of the board…” She rounded to walk toward Charlotte once more. “Or I could place a key piece in danger, allowing him to believe I had made a misstep in play.”
Charlotte’s eyes blazed with hope. “If you were able to achieve the latter, I’d wager his overinflated ego may indeed blind him to your strategy.”
It wasn’t only her future Minerva was playing for—it was Charlotte’s too. An idea to ensure Charlotte didn’t have to wait an entire decade before gaining her happiness was forming in Minerva’s mind. A boon. If she could manage to extract a promise from the astute lady next to her, the girl might fall for her scheme.
“Would you be willing to place a wager?” Minerva asked.
“Ahh…now I fully understand why the Head of the Foreign Office so desperately wishes to recruit you. You know I’d never turn down a bet. I’ve completely fallen for your trap. What are the terms of this wager?”
“If I’m able to evade marriage to Lord Camdon utilizing the scheme as we discussed, you shall agree to marry the man when he proposes.”
“And what makes you believe Camdon would offer for my hand?”
“He may not, but if he does, I would hate for you to decline as an act of loyalty or out of duty to the Wicked Ladies Salon. Promise.” Minerva gazed directly into Charlotte’s eyes. The woman’s mind was a whirl—calculating odds and evaluating consequences.
“Isadora hinted to the fact that if Tom was to marry her, my brother and I would both become pawns in your chess game of life. At the time I didn’t give Isadora’s statement credit—in hindsight, I should’ve paid closer attention to her warning.” Charlotte was biding her time. Stalling with gibberish and flattery.
Seeing to a family member’s happiness was what brought Minerva joy. If she married Anthony she could continue to do so, but if Anthony lost and she won, it would be six to seven months before she could resume her life as a lady on the shelf.
Minerva waited for Charlotte to respond. Ultimately, she knew Charlotte would agree; it was only a matter of how hard she should push. “Do I have your word?”
“Given the fact Camdon is not easily persuaded to do anything he doesn’t want to… Aye, you have my promise to wed the buffoon should he ask me to marry.” Charlotte shook her head. “I don’t suppose you will share with me why you would seek out such a preposterous promise.”
Lord Camdon returning Charlotte’s affinity wasn’t as unbelievable as Charlotte believed. But it wasn’t for Minerva to convince the young lady—that was up to Lord Camdon.
“My reasoning is of no consequence, but know this: I’d never wish a loveless marriage upon any woman, and most definitely not upon you, who is about to join my family.” Keeping her answers vague was key to evading the truth. Minerva looped her arm through Charlotte’s and headed back inside. “Let’s return and join the others, but I promise you this: no sister of mine shall ever marry for anything but love.” She would never wish a fate similar to that of her mother’s upon anyone. A loveless union led to loneliness, and, in turn, transformed a sweet woman into a bitter one.
As they crossed the threshold into the drawing room, Charlotte asked, “What of you? Will you marry for love?”
If Minerva were to marry, the answer would be a definite yes.
But again avoiding answering the question directly, Minerva replied, “Love is unpredictable, unlike a game of chess. I think I’ll stick to playing chess and leave falling in love to others.”
Charlotte stared at her for a moment and then said, “I confess that is not the response I was expecting, and it shall take me more than a mere moment for me to scrutinize your meaning. Regardless, I shall eagerly await your match with Camdon this eve.”
Minerva remained in the doorway, while Charlotte joined her family, who greeted her return with warm smiles.
A year ago, Minerva had firmly believed in her plan to seek out the life of Madame Rose for a Season. She was no fool. There was no way she could leave her family and her life forever, but one Season of freedom to go about and do as she pleased would provide her with enough joy to last her for the rest of her days. Except Anthony’s challenge, his declaration of love, his drugging kisses, had her questioning her resolve.
Heat rose to her cheeks. If she were distracted, Lord Camdon would have an advantage. What she needed to do was focus on the game and the man she was to play this eve, and worry about the rest tomorrow.
If only she could cease the images of Anthony kissing her that crept into her thoughts.
