Duke of Daring (Lords of Scandal 1)

“But I’ll not be involved in this mess by either of you.” She waved the invitation in her hand. “You’re free to go. I hope never to see you again.”

Tag grunted in response. He knew he’d made a mistake, he just wasn’t sure which mistake that was. Had he falsely accused Minnie? Had he mistrusted her in the first place? Either way, he wasn’t done with this conversation despite her dismissal.

“I’m not leaving so you may as well sit.” He gestured toward the chair. He heard her chaperone squeak from the corner but he ignored the other woman.

She huffed. “This is my home. I’ll decide when I sit and when I don’t.”

“Fine,” he answered taking a seat. “So you’re telling me that you had never met the countess before last night?”

“That’s correct. Though she knew exactly who I was. Of course, Malice was staring at us with an intensity that must have all of London wagging their tongues this morning.”

Tag gritted his teeth. Cristina knew exactly who his friends were and apparently she knew about the secret club he ran. He’d been seen publicly with Minnie on more than one occasion. If the countess were checking in on him, it wouldn’t take much for her to learn of his interest in Minerva Chase.

Of course, part of him still wondered if Minnie had a more active role in Cristina’s plan, whatever it was. Even his own mother had used him as a weapon in her war against her husband. And he’d never been anything to Cristina other than a plan to secure her future. Why wouldn’t Minnie be plotting something? “And what did she say to you?”

“She said that she’d take care of Malice for us. He makes Cordelia uncomfortable.” She slid into the chair across from him, keeping her back straight. “What I wanted to know is what she said to Malice.”

“Why?” he asked, sitting up. Something in this conversation wasn’t squaring.

Her mouth dropped open. “Why? The Countess of Abernath is at the root of Emily and Jack’s elopement. I can’t prove it yet, but I’m certain it’s true.” She licked her lips. Despite his mistrust, he clenched in awareness. “I saw her at the garden party where they disappeared. If I’m going to figure out why they left, I need to learn more about the woman who started this entire affair.”

He ran both of his hands through his hair, likely causing it to jut out at odd angles. “She told Malice that she was going to exact revenge on me.”

Minnie gasped, her hands covering her mouth. Slowly she dropped them again. “Revenge on you? Why?”

Bloody hell. “We were engaged to be married.”

She leaned forward, her expression pained. “Engaged?”

He shook his head, rubbing the back of his neck. “A long time ago. Yes.”

“What happened?”

He’d never shared this with anyone, save Jack. And that was only after several drinks. “I found her with another man.” He didn’t tell her about the pregnancy or the fact that she’d likely tried to pass off another man’s child as his. “But she was still furious with me. She quickly married the Earl of Abernath but…” How did he say that she hated her husband and had only married him to secure her child only to lose the baby?

“I don’t need you to say more. I think I understand.” Minnie slumped back down in her chair. “Do you think she told Emily about the club to punish you through Jack?”

Tag sat forward. “That is very likely and terribly clever on your part.” Minnie was so smart, he couldn’t help but admire her. “I’ve been wondering the same.”

“If I am so clever, why don’t I know why Emily and Jack left?”

He let out a long breath. “You just don’t have all the information.” Should he tell her? Away from Minnie, he’d convinced himself that she was just another woman attempting to manipulate him, but here, in this room, staring into the green of her eyes, he had a much more difficult time believing that to be true. Or perhaps, he just didn’t want to believe she’d ever intentionally hurt him.

“What information?”

“Jack inherited the title and a mountain of debt. He’s worked at the club to make his own holdings profitable. I only started the business as a silent partner in support of my friend.”

Minnie stared at him, her mouth hanging open. “You financed the club for Jack?”

“I did. He’s only recently paid my investment back and shorn up his own holdings. But he was worried he wouldn’t be able to support Emily in the lifestyle she deserved without continuing to participate in the club’s activities and daily operations.”

She rubbed the sides of her face with the tips of her fingers. “And Emily was concerned that he didn’t really love her. She was just a means to an end.”

The details fell into place. “By eloping, he’s given up her dowry.”

Minnie’s face lit with understanding. “And proven it’s a love match.” Her fingers stilled on her cheeks. “But your secret hasn’t been revealed. Not the way the countess intended for it to be.”

Of course. Cristina knew him. Damn her but she did. He was to come here and push Minnie away. In return, she’d tell all of London about the Duke’s secret gaming hell. But of course, Cristina had underestimated Minnie. At least this is what he hoped was true. “Why doesn’t she just tell London herself? Why would she attempt to have you share?”