“I don’t need your help, Lady Emily,” Darlington barked, his temper visibly rising as he shifted in his seat. Rather than deter her, his emotion only fueled her to continue.
Jack knocked Darlington on the shoulder. “Mind your tone.”
Darlington glared at her again. “It’s her fault.”
“It’s her fault,” Minnie mimicked his deep voice rather enjoying herself. They’d met one time for five minutes and yet he thought he could glare at her and tell her what to do. So what if he was handsome and a duke? He was not her lord and master.
Tag stared across the carriage at the witch of a woman giving him an impish smile as she mimicked his voice. Bloody hell, she needed a spanking. A good old fashioned over-his-knee, skirts-pulled-up spanking.
She deserved it, he rationalized.
The image of her over his knee rose in his thoughts, her skirt pulled about her waist, her little cries of… Christ. Blood pooled in his manhood. He had to stop this. She annoyed him to the point of absolute absurdity. But if he lay his hands on her, Exile was sure to fulfill his promise of escorting Tag down the aisle. They’d agreed to watch the women, but not compromise them unless they’d a mind for marriage.
Drawing in a deep breath, he tried to calm his racing pulse. The woman got under his skin. “Apologies, Miss Chase. It isn’t your fault, rather it’s mine.”
“That’s the most insightful thing you’ve uttered since I stepped in this carriage,” she said giving him a sweet smile that belied her words and tone.
So she didn’t want to make nice? Fine. “And you’ve said nothing insightful, interesting, or even intelligent in either of our meetings so that means I’m a point ahead of you.”
She straightened. “We’re keeping score? I do like a good competition.” Then she turned to Jack and Emily. “You two can be the judges. At the end of the night, you must declare a winner.”
“No,” Jack cut in, moving to the edge of his seat. “Don’t be ridiculous.”
“He’s right. I can’t let you tear apart Jack’s friend.” Emily reached for Minnie’s arm.
“Wait.” Tag slapped his thigh with his hand. “You think she’ll win? There’s no way.”
“Oh please.” Jack shot him an incredulous look. “She’s talking circles around you.”
Now he really wanted to spank her. His fingers itched as he dug them into his thigh. “I’m a bloody duke. A thousand men l
ook to me for—”
Minnie cut him off with a laugh. “A thousand men look to a gaming hell owner who runs around calling himself Tag Daring. Lord help England. She needs it with men like you in charge.”
His vision actually blurred as his other hand dug into leg. This had been a colossal mistake. Tomorrow, he’d have to switch to babysitting a different Chase woman. There was no way he could keep his temper. He wouldn’t make it through the evening without teaching Minnie Chase the lesson she so richly deserved.
Chapter Three
Minnie nearly sighed with relief, or disappointment, she wasn’t entirely certain, when the carriage arrived at her aunt’s home. Darlington, or Daring, or Tag—she hadn’t decided which name she wanted to call him yet—had gone completely silent after she’d insulted his ability to lead England. She supposed that may have been a bit harsh and she nibbled her lip as she gave him a sideways glance.
The man annoyed her on a level that nearly left her breathless. She’d never wanted to wound a man more and her heart pounded in her chest at the thought of sparring with him. Was that normal?
She’d never met a man who irritated or excited her as much as he did. Minnie shook her head, it didn’t matter. After tonight, she’d take great pains to make sure they never saw one another again.
The door to the carriage snapped open and Darlington climbed out, Jack exited just behind him. He helped Emily out and, only after they moved away, did she realize that Darlington would escort her inside. She paused halfway out the door, staring down at him.
Slowly he held out his hand, his mouth twisting into a devilish grin. “Take my hand, Miss Chase. I don’t bite.”
“Are you speaking as Lord Darlington or Tag Daring?” she asked.
He gave her a tiny jerk and she wobbled on the step, her breath catching. The cad had done that on purpose. His hand came out to steady her waist and then her pulse rioted in her veins. His hand was warm and strong in a way that no man’s had ever been before. Not even Lord Charleston. In fact, everything about her only serious suitor had been comfortable and easy right up until she’d met his mother.
Darlington leaned over so that his lips were near her ear, his warm breath blowing across her lobe. “You’ve promised to guard my secret, remember? You can’t say those things in public.”
Minnie swallowed. When it came to verbal banter, she was confident in her ability to best him. But here, crouched down as she exited the carriage, he was absolutely in charge. Still, her stomach fluttered with a breathless excitement at the idea. “Apologies, Your Grace,” her voice came out breathy as she said the words and as he guided her the rest of the way down the step, his large hand holding tight to her middle.
“Minnie, are you all right?” Emily called from up ahead.