Minnie pressed her lips together. As a matter of fact, she hadn’t. Perhaps it was time she did.
Tag saw the party as he approached
the garden. He recognized Mrs. Chase and Ada but Minnie was nowhere to be seen. Then he caught sight of a flash of bright red hair as she and Diana slipped down a path.
Excitement coursed through him even seeing her across the garden. Bloody hell, he really was in love.
He changed his course, following behind Minnie. He’d promised her space and he intended to give it to her but he also planned to be there if she needed him. With that in mind, he slipped down the garden path, keeping to the shadows.
“Lord Charleston,” Minnie said. “A pleasure to see you.”
In that moment, Tag realized he was eavesdropping on her conversation. That had not been his intent but footsteps on the path behind him had him darting behind a bench. For a moment he wondered why on earth he’d just hid. He could walk on a path without worry but then he caught sight of pale blonde hair. Peeking over the top of the wood slats, the profile of the Countess of Abernath came into view.
“It’s a pleasure to see you again, Miss Chase.” Charleston all but gushed. “I’ve missed you so and I’ve been anxiously awaiting the answer to your question.”
“Very kind, Lord Charleston,” Minnie answered as Tag stood again. The countess had passed and he crept silently behind her. “I wanted to answer you post haste. I—”
“Oh, isn’t this just so sweet,” Lady Abernath purred, coming up behind the trio. Diana straightened, stepping in front of Minnie. Gads, he’d never known a better group of women.
“What do you want?” Minnie placed her hand on Diana’s shoulder, stepping next to her cousin. His Minnie was no wilting rose.
“Did he offer for you hand, Miss Chase?” Lady Abernath purred.
Minnie straightened. “That is none of your concern.”
“Oh but it is, Lord Charleston.” Lady Abernath waved her pale hand at the other man who took an involuntary step back. “Did you know that Miss Chase was in an illicit club after hours with a group of eligible gentlemen?”
Charleston took another step back. “I beg your pardon?” His eyes darted to Minnie. “This is a lie, isn’t it? Your reputation would be—”
“It isn’t a lie.” Minnie’s back was straight as a board.
“Oh,” Charleston said, his voice barely audible. Irritation flitted along his skin. Bloody hell, he hoped he hadn’t been that weak the last time Lady Abernath had tried to corner him.
“I relieve you of your offer. You’re free to go,” Minnie added, never looking away from the countess.
Lord Charleston took another step back. “If you’re sure, Miss Chase. I don’t mean to offend. I just…” Then he turned and fled.
Lady Abernath shifted, one of her hands cocking on her hip. “I have to confess that I like you. You’re strong. In some ways you remind me of myself.”
Minnie’s lip curled. “No wonder His Grace doesn’t want to marry me.”
Lady Abernath trilled a laugh, the sound making his blood cold. He stepped forward out of the shadows. “That isn’t true at all, I’ve practically begged you to marry me.”
Diana let out a small gasp but Minnie’s gaze shifted to him, softening. “Is that what a duke considers begging?”
He stepped past Lady Abernath. “A pleasure to see you again, Cristina.” Here in this private conversation, he needed to let her know, he hadn’t forgotten the past. “I say that purely for social grace.”
She glared at him. “The Marquess of Malicorn told me about your little scheme. It won’t work, those men will never tell my husband—"
“It will work.” He stepped over to Minnie’s side. “Men in debt will do all sorts of things to keep their families safe.”
Lady Abernath’s lips thinned. “You’re blackmailing me.”
He gave her a cold smile as he slipped his arm about Minnie. “Just returning the favor. You’re not to speak to Miss Chase ever again.”
Lady Abernath’s eyes narrowed into slits. “You’re trying to tell me what to do. After what you did to me?”
Minnie drifted against his side, her hand coming to his shoulder. “Don’t answer.”