Jack stepped back, tucking Emily’s hand into his elbow. “Of course.” He started for the door and Minnie fell in line behind them. Then he stopped and turned back toward her. “Minnie.” He smiled but it didn’t quite reach his eyes. “I should warn you that I’ve brought another guest.”
She stalled, scrunching her brows. “Another guest? Who would you…” But her voice tapered off because she knew it had to be one of his friends and which one would Jack feel the need to warn her about? “Daring.”
His smile vanished and his lips pressed together. “Yes. Daring.”
Even as irritation made her straighten her spine, something sizzled just under her skin. “Why?” she asked, her eyes crinkling at the corners.
“I wasn’t sure how many of you ladies were attending. I wanted another man to—”
“You mean rogue. Another rogue to what? Nearly ruin another Chase woman?”
Emily gasped, “Minnie.”
“What? He did…nearly ruin you, that is.” Minnie’s hands were on her hips. “It’s why you’re so frightened.”
Jack straightened up. “Lord Darlington will behave as a gentleman should.”
“Pish.” She waved. “He’s no more a gentleman than you are. But let’s go already. Fortunately for you, I am perfectly capable of handling such a cad and my aunt will ensure that he behaves if I can’t.”
Jack snapped his mouth closed without response and strode toward the door. But Emily was less inclined to let Minnie’s comments go. “Don’t be rude. Jack is not a rogue and neither is Lord Darlington.”
Minnie clicked her tongue. “Of course they are. And why are you calling him Darlington anyhow? His preferred name is Daring. Which only underscores how much he prefers being a rogue to a gentleman.”
“Minnie is right. We’re not the most respectable of men,” Jack said over his shoulder. Was he attempting to support her? She didn’t need it.
“Well, you should be. Respectable that is. You’re part of the peerage.” They reached the carriage and the door snapped open. “You’re supposed to be leading this country by action and example. You do neither.” Minnie knew she was taking a great deal of her irritation at Darlington out on Jack. But the one time she’d met the duke, he’d been so pompous. She itched to knock him down off his high pedestal.
Jack handed Emily in and then reached for her hand as well. She stepped up into the carriage and gasped, nearly toppling back as her eyes met the dark, penetrating gaze of a hulking man curled into his seat like a waiting predator. Daring was in the vehicle. “You,” she hissed as she took her seat next to Emily.
“Me,” he answered as Jack climbed in. “You didn’t warn her, Jack?”
“I did,” Jack answered.
“You said he was joining us this evening, not that he was in the carriage. I thought a duke would take his own coach and six.”
“It’s wonderful to see you again, Minnie.” He gave her a one-sided grin as he assessed her top to bottom.
Her insides shivered. Surely, he’d used her given name to try and intimidate her. She’d show him. “You too, Darling.” She stared back. She’d called him Darling at their first meeting and he’d positively hated it. It made her heart sing. She already had a ready weapon to use against him.
“I told you the last time we met. It’s Daring if you want to be impish in private, otherwise it’s Darlington. I am not your darling.”
“You’re everyone’s darling.” She sat back in her chair, enjoying his irritation and considering how to strike next. “Look at that face. Angelic.” She studied her gloves as she allowed her words to sink in. It wasn’t that he was bad looking. In fact, he was quite handsome but not in a pretty way. His looks were harder, harsher, very masculine in fact. He had dark, penetrating, near-black eyes and strong cheekbones with a slightly hooked nose, which might have looked unattractive on another man, but with his square jaw and full lips somehow created an overall pleasing affect. The sort that made a girl’s inside flutter if she weren’t careful.
“Very funny,” he rumbled. Then he leaned forward. “You know what you need, Miss Chase? A good lesson on what it means to be respectful.”
“Tag,” Jack bit out, grasping Darlington’s shoulder.
“Tag?” Minnie’s eyes rose from her gloves to stare into his dark glare. He’d made fun of her nickname, Minnie, all the while his name was Tag? “That can’t be your given name?”
“It’s a nickname,” he answered, his voice dropping low.
“So your nickname is Tag Daring?” Minnie covered her mouth with her hand, a giggle escaping around her fingers. She dropped it again. This was going to be fun. “You sound like a fictional character. Like, like a spy, or a detective, or perhaps a pirate.” Then she bounced a little in her seat, her brain creating several fictions all at once. “My goodness. I could write a series of a books with a name like that.”
His eyes narrowed. “Part of owning the club under a secret identity is having a fiction about your persona. What’s wrong with that?”
“Nothing if you’re eight years old.” She nibbled on her lip, enjoying this moment a great deal. Never in her life had she met a man she wanted to irritate more. “Your fatal flaw as a character would be that you’re actually a bit desperate for attention. I mean that name is working so hard.”
“Woman,” he growled.
Victory sang in her blood. Clearly she’d found a soft spot in his armor. “Man,” she bit back. “My darling, Tag.”
“Minnie,” Emily chastised, snapping her fan against her hand. “Stop teasing him.”
“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.
“Fine,” Minnie answered for once with a single word, unable to explain what had just happened. Her mind was rather blank, still focused on the feel of his hand.
“Miss Chase tripped coming out of the carriage, Lady Emily, but I’ve seen to her safety.” Darlington called, his sly grin returning.
“I didn’t fall, you cad. You pulled me.” But she spoke softly so only he could hear.
He coughed, clearly covering a laugh. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
She tsked, knowing more words wouldn’t get him to admit what he’d done. Instead they walked in silence, which might have been a mistake. Without sharp barbs between them, she became aware of how large he was, tall and muscular with broad shoulders and narrow hips that brushed hers as they moved.
She flexed her fingers on the hard ridge of his biceps, wondering what sort of activity he did to foster such strength. She supposed all his time wasn’t spent in leisurely pursuits. Were all his muscles so developed? What would he look like without his jacket and shirt?
She nibbled at her lip again, thinking of him without his clothes. Without intending to, she moved her fingers up the muscle of his arm, exploring the hard flesh.
He looked over at her, one of his eyebrows quirking. “Careful, Miss Chase. The way you’re touching me, someone might mistakenly think you like me.”
Her cheeks flared with heat. He’d completely caught her. “I don’t have to like you to appreciate that you are a finely built man.”
He chuckled even deeper, the sound running over her skin causing goose pimples to raise on the bare flesh of her arms. “I suppose you don’t. In fact, sometimes that can make things quite interesting.”
She slipped as her foot caught a loose stone on the path to the front door and she nearly tripped again. He steadied her once more, flattening his hand on her stomach to keep her from falling forward. “Miss Chase,” he said close to her ear once again. “Are you quite all right? You seem out of sorts.”
It was on the tip of her tongue to ask what things he referred to but she held her words. Instead she raised her chin higher. “I am disconcerted by being in the company of such a rogue.”
He removed his hand from her stomach, sliding his fingers across the bones of her corset. “Fair enough.”
She pressed her lips together to keep from gasping. He was doing this on purpose to rile her. It was working.
They climbed the steps and the door swung open, the sound of voices filtering out to them. Candles lit the interior of the foyer, giving it a warm glow. Darlington led her inside, stepping onto the marble floor. People milled on the balcony of the second floor near the entrance of the dining room.
“Minnie,” her mother’s familiar voice called from above.
She froze. Of course her mother was here. How had she not realized that her mother would be at her sister-in-law’s dinner party? Drat.
“Minnie, dear, is that you?”
Nearly everyone stopped speaking as they turned to look at her. Her cheeks flamed hotter. “Yes, Mother,” she replied weakly. No one should have heard her soft voice but the echo of the marble seemed to make it travel. Her mother, Mrs. Evelyn Chase, started down the stairs, beaming with a smile. No one had been more disappointed that Lord Charleston hadn’t offered than her mother. Except for herself, of course. “Dear, are you being escorted by the Duke of Darlington?”
No. No. No. Her mother could not get any ideas about matching Minnie with the duke. She knew her mother desperately wanted her to find a husband but Darlington was the last man she’d marry. Charleston had taught her what a good match looked like and Darlington was not that man. She looked at Darlington, her face surely displaying her horror.
“Why yes, she is.” Darlington gave a stiff bow, but Minnie caught the sparkle in his eye. He was going to encourage her mother just to torture Minnie. Irritation prickled all along her skin. “I’m a good friend of Lord Effington’s.”
“Of course. So lovely of you to join us.” Her mother floated over to them, all of the assembled guests watching the show they were now putting on. “You didn’t bring your sister tonight? And where is your companion?”
Dear lord in heaven, Minnie shrank into Darlington’s side. Please Lord, make her mother behave. And by that, Minnie could only pray that she didn’t completely embarrass her by suggesting the duke offer for Minnie’s hand. “Ada was out with Emily last night. She’s tired. And I didn’t need a companion. Emily and Jack are my escorts for the evening, not His Grace.”
“Pish,” her mother said as she waved her hand. “Your Grace, we’re honored to have you as a guest.” She dipped into a deep curtesy.
“I’m honored to be here.”
Minnie closed her eyes. This couldn’t be happening. She knew why her mother looked so joyful. She was dreaming of her daughter being matched with a duke. How did she tell her mother that hell would freeze over first?
Tag had all he could do not to laugh out loud though a small snort of amusement escaped. Minnie looked like a worm squirming on a hook. He realized what was happening. Her mother was having visions of matching her daughter to him. She wasn’t the first mother who’d tried and she certainly wouldn’t be the last.
In this case, however, he had reason to play along. If Mrs. Chase thought there was an opportunity for a match, he’d get more invitations. Just a week or two should do it. Then, he could catch Minnie alone and have a nice chat with her about discretion. He already knew she wasn’t the sort of woman to idly gossip or allow their secret to slip out of sheer silliness. Now, he was concerned she might let it fly out of annoyance, but he’d begun to formulate an argument to convince her that was a terrible idea.
She clearly didn’t think much of him as a lord but still. Daring had made a promise to watch over her. If during that time, he made a compelling case to keep his secret, all the better. If being an upstanding lord was important to her than perhaps he could argue that it was the people who depended on him that would suffer if Minnie should share.
He smiled, rather pleased with what he’d already managed to discover.
“We’ve a small gathering on Saturday to celebrate Lord Effington and Lady Emily. You should attend, Your Grace. We’d be honored to have you.”
He heard Minnie suck in a breath. He had to press his mouth together so that he didn’t bark out a laugh at her expense. “Most gracious. I’d be delighted.”
“No,” Minnie whispered under her breath.
He heard her anyhow.
Mrs. Chase’s fan fluttered toward her face. “Oh, how wonderful.” Then she turned. “Please allow me to introduce you to the rest of our family.”
“No,” Minnie said again, louder. “Mother. Don’t overwhelm him. Please.”
He knew what she meant. Don’t make a big deal out of this. Somehow, this was exceedingly amusing. Most ladies of society were eager to parade him around like a strutting peacock. “I’m not overwhelmed. On the contrary, I’d be honored to meet your family.”
Duke of Daring: Regency Romance (Lords of Scandal Book 1) Page 2
