And why was she staring at him instead of taking advantage of this opportunity? She should be using this night for her own gain not for his. She drew a breath as her gaze clashed with his again.
“For heaven’s sake, Minnie. Just go talk with him.” Ada looped her arm through hers. “You’re terribly dull when you’re not paying a bit of attention.”
“Who?” Minnie looked at her sister, worried Ada was dragging her off to some random man’s side.
“Stop asking ridiculous questions. It isn’t like you at all. We’re going to see Darlington, of course. The man you can’t keep your eyes off of.”
“We can’t see him,” she hissed. “People are getting the wrong idea.”
Ada sniffed. “If you ask me, they’re getting the right idea.”
Minnie pulled her arm from her sister’s grasp. “What idea is that?”
“What is wrong with you? You’ve asked more questions in the last five minutes than you did the whole of last year.” Ada waved her hand toward Minnie’s head. “It’s as though someone has taken your mind.”
“No one has taken my mind.” She reached for her sister’s arm and started pulling. “I’m worried about Emily and Jack and…”
“Liar,” Ada whispered. “Tonight isn’t about them. It’s about you and that duke. You’re…” Ada drew in a deep breath. “You’re in love with him.”
“Love?” she asked and then realized she had asked another question. “Don’t be ridiculous. I hardly know him and what I do understand about him I don’t like.”
“Well, cousin Mary says that he convinced you to come tonight against her recommendation.” Her sister notched her chin as though that explained everything.
They were making their way across the room, Minnie attempting to move through the crowd. She hadn’t seen Tag but she searched the spot where he’d been. He wasn’t there any longer. Drat. Disappointment squeezed her chest. “He’s here to speak with our hostess and…” She needed a reason why she’d come. “And I thought he might learn more about Emily. That’s all.”
Ada lightly grasped her shoulder. “Look. I know I’m pushing tonight. You know me, this isn’t my strong suit. But you’ve been spending a great deal of time with Darlington. If he’s the man you want, we should make a plan.”
Minnie stopped. Was Darlington the man she wanted? Thank goodness she hasn’t said that out loud. She caught her lower lip with her teeth. She came at his request. And despite everything, he made her heart beat wildly every time he was near.
She thought back to Charleston. He’d been so easy to spend time with, but in retrospect, there had been no spark. Nothing like the breathless excitement she felt whenever Tag Daring was near. His nickname made her warm inside.
“Where are you going?” Tag was suddenly next to her.
She looked up at him as her pulse began thrumming through her veins. “I was coming to speak with you.”
He gave a curt nod. “I haven’t been able to speak with our hostess yet, so I’ve nothing to report.”
Ada still held her arm. “I’ve something to report,” Minnie said, standing straighter. Her heart began to hammer in her chest.
“What?” He leaned closer, his brow drawing together. “Did you speak to her?”
She shook her head, her stomach atwitter with butterflies. “No, I haven’t. What I need to talk about is you and me.”
One of his eyebrows arched. “You and me?”
She gave a stiff nod. The truth was, she had no idea what to say. She wanted to reach out and hold his arm for support. Strange, even when nervous about him, she also drew comfort from Tag’s presence. “I—”
“Minnie loves you,” Ada blurted, tapping on her arm.
“Ada,” Minnie pushed out, turning back to her sister as heat filled her cheeks. How could her sister be such a ninny? “I never said such nonsense.”
“Ada,” Tag repeated. “Let’s get you back to your family.”
Minnie suddenly wanted to hide from him as more heat travelled from her face down the exposed column of her throat. “I should also get back to my—”
“We’re taking a turn about the room,” he said as she slipped her hand into the crook of his arm. Normally, she’d argue when he began being his bossy duke self. But this time, she flushed with satisfaction. Her sister had said the word love and he wasn’t running away.
She stole a glance at his profile. Did she love him? Ada said Minnie had been asking a great deal of questions and she was right. But this was the one question that had been muddling her thoughts all night. How did she feel about her duke?
Tag made his way back to Minnie’s family, making a formal request for Minnie’s attention. While it was assumed they stay in the public ballroom, he had no intention of remaining in the public eye. A private conversation was required after Ada’s outburst. Was it true? Did Minnie love him?
His entire body jolted with energy at the very idea. His teeth clenched. He could not get so wrapped up in emotion that he made a poor decision. He’d made that mistake already with Lady Abernath. He would not allow himself to do so again.
As they reached the corner of the room, he spotted an open door out to the garden. It was away from the large main doors and he moved toward it, Minnie following his lead without complaint.
Which was honestly odd. But as he slipped out the door, he guided her into the shadow beyond the lit room. A hundred questions crowded into his thoughts. Did he love her? Did she love him? Should he do as Jack said and marry Minnie? What if she was just manipulating him as every other woman in his life had done?
But none of those questions made it past his lips. Instead, her hip brushed his and he reached for her waist, pulling her against his body. She pressed to him, molding her soft curves against his hard flesh.
“Tag,” she said, her voice catching.
He answered by dropping his head down and capturing her lips with his own. This kiss was not soft, like the last. He kissed her hard, molding their mouths together. Minnie responded by wrapping an arm about his neck, pulling him closer still.
Without thought, he slanted his mouth to push hers open and his tongue brushed hers. Her knees gave out and he tightened his grip on her waist. But as he repeated the motion, her tongue met his sending sparks of pleasure sizzling along his flesh.
She curled her fingers into his hair as the kiss lengthened, their tongues dancing together, their breath mingling. Tag had never kissed a woman with so much…fire. And Minnie returned every heated touch with equal amounts of burning passion.
“Minnie,” he begged as he finally lifted his mouth from hers. “Tell me what to do.”
“What do you mean?” she asked finding his mouth again.
He kissed her for several more seconds before he pulled back. “Do you feel some affection for me? Could you see yourself with me? Tell me that you do and then we can—”
“Do you have some affection for me?” she asked but he could already hear the change in her voice. Somehow the emotion had cooled.
He swallowed. “I don’t know yet.” She started to pull away but he held her firm. “Listen.”
She stilled. “I’m listening.”
“What Lady Abernath did to me. What my own parents…” He let out a groan of irritation. He was ruining this. “I can’t trust myself. I’m no good at choosing.”
She softened, then. Her body fitting to his, her hand cupping his cheek. “I understand. I really do. When Lord Charleston didn’t propose, it rocked my confidence to the very core. My mother’s threat is the only thing that’s started me moving again.”
“You understand me.” He drew in a ragged breath, dropping his forehead to hers. “I knew you did.”
“I do.” She lifted herself higher to kiss his lips, a lighter touch as her fingers ran along the front of his jacket. “Which is why I won’t tell you what to do. You’re one of the strongest men I know. You’ll figure it out for yourself.”
“What?” He’d wanted her to say the w
ords. Marry me, Tag. Marry me and I’ll erase all those mistakes from your past. Instead, she’d pushed the decision back on him.
“You heard me,” she replied. “Ada is right. Those types of questions are annoying.”
He pulled his head back. “Now you’re calling me annoying?”
She slid her fingers down his neck. His eyes drifted closed at the touch. Even now, he wanted her to touch him forever. “Let me ask you something. What would you have said if my response had been, ‘Yes, Tag. You should marry me.’” Her palms slid over his chest. “Would you have presented an offer to my family or would you have gone running the other way?”
His head reared back. “You think I was trying to trick you?”
“It’s an accusation you made against me just the other day.” She fisted the lapels of his coat in her hands.
He let out a deep guttural noise of dissatisfaction. “Well now I’m glad we’ll never know what I would have said. It’s clear, despite our passion, we can’t trust one another.”
“I suppose we can’t.” she answered but he heard her voice quiver. “I shouldn’t have come tonight.” She slipped from his arms and this time he let her go.
“Maybe you shouldn’t have.” He straightened, his hands clenching at his side.
She huffed then, pushing at his chest. “You asked me, remember.”
He winced, holding her hand against his jacket. “I did. You’re a very quick study of people and situations. I’d hoped to engage you in a conversation with Lady Abernath and get your opinion on her motives. Why is she trying to exact revenge now? What involvement did she have with Jack and Emily?”
Her fingers relaxed against him, flattening. “Let’s go then, shall we?”
“Go?” He paused, a vision of climbing into his carriage with her and driving away, flitting through his mind.
“To find our hostess. You’ve asked and so you shall receive.”
He grimaced as Minnie reached for his hand and pulled him from the shadow. Lady Abernath was the actual last person he really wanted to talk to. If he were smart, he’d likely stay here with Minnie all night. Until…what? Until they were discovered and forced to marry?
He shook his head. He’d come here to find out why Cristina was still tormenting him after all this time and he’d puzzle it out one way or the other. His feelings about Minnie were tomorrow’s problem. Tonight, he needed to face a specter from his past.
Chapter Twelve
Minnie lowered her free hand to cover her stomach as they slipped back into the party and continued their circle about the room.
She should return to her family and leave Tag to face his own problems. But somehow, she was unable to deny him when he asked for help. This wasn’t new for Minnie. She did the same for her family, but it wasn’t normal for her to feel so compelled to help friends. Though Tag was more than just a casual acquaintance.
Besides, helping him might get her answers about Emily. At least that’s what she was repeating to herself.
She thought back to Ada’s comment. How deep did her feelings run? She tucked her nose into his shoulder, drawing in his spicy male scent of sandalwood and pine. Her insides danced with excitement and pleasure.
Did she love him? Her eyes drifted closed for a moment as he continued to lead her around the room. Dear God, she did. The idea settled over her like a blanket. Warm and so satisfyingly heavy. Like she was tucked securely in her feelings. Never had she experienced anything like this.
Odd considering her first response to him had been passion, scorching in its heat. The attraction was still there, and somehow it only fueled her feeling of deep affection.
Funny, she’d thought she’d been secure with Lord Charleston. That had been a shadow of the emotion Tag brought out.
“What are you thinking?” he rumbled, the sound coming from deep in his chest and reverberating through her.
She held his arm tighter, her mind searching for an acceptable answer. “I was wondering how we arrived here. I don’t mean at this ball. But the first night I met you, we didn’t get along at all and now…”
He drew in a sharp breath and held it in his chest. She could feel his expansion and her own body contracted to accommodate him. “Now what, Minnie? What are we now?”
She opened her eyes again, meeting his in a long stare. “You still want me to tell you?”
He let out his breath, the rush of air, somehow changing their shape. “No, I know what’s happening between us. I need to decide what to do about it.”
Her own brow crinkled. She knew what was happening to her. But she was less certain about him. “When I was with Lord Charleston, I thought I understood perfectly. I was wrong.”
He stopped then, leaning closer, his nose near touching hers. “You’ve your own insecurities to face.” They’d reached the hallway back to the grand stair. It was quieter here, most people having now moved into the throng of the party. Tag pulled her off to the side. They were still visible to the crowd but their quiet voices were insulated by the noise around them.
“I do,” she replied. “But today, we’re addressing your past, aren’t we?”
“Oh my,” a female voice purred. “Digging up old skeletons, are we?”
Minnie looked to her right and there stood the countess, the picture of cold beauty with her blonde hair and her pale blue eyes. Eyes that creased in the corners in a way they hadn’t the last time she and Minnie and met. “I hope not,” Minnie answered softly. Tag had gone still next to her.
“What part of his past, specifically?” The other woman moved closer. “Has he shared our history with you?” Lady Abernath scanned them both, Minnie’s hand still tucked in his arm. Tag tucked her partially behind his body.
Minnie didn’t respond. While he had told her a bit, she knew there must be more to the story.
“I don’t want to discuss the past,” Tag rumbled. “I want to know why you sent Lady Emily to find Jack that night.”
Minnie gasped in a breath but closed her mouth quickly to cover it. She’d thought Tag had been fibbing when he’d said he’d come to find answers about Lady Emily and Jack. That had been an excuse to convince her to attend. But clearly, he’d meant what he’d said.
“How is the happy couple?” She smiled, her lips curling in an almost cruel curve. “Jack was so desperate for love. I’m not surprised he chose a simpering debutante. But not to worry. I’m sure they’ll both find other candidates. At least, Lady Emily will.”
Minnie’s insides itched with irritation and she straightened. The countess clearly did not know everything. She was unaware that Jack and Emily had eloped. Minnie would just as soon keep that information to herself. “Emily is far from simpering.”
The countess pierced her with an assessing glare, her eyes travelling up and down Minnie, but Minnie refused to shrink under the scrutiny. “Well, you’re no weakling, are you?” The countess moved closer. “Tag did always like a strong woman.”
The use of Tag’s given name was like a hit to the stomach and she bent a bit. Minnie had grown accustomed to the name and she considered it hers. “Some things never change. Then again, I don’t go around attempting to hurt innocent people, so perhaps strength is where our similarities end.”
The countess’s mouth pressed into a thin line. “They don’t end there, I can assure you. Soon you’ll be another woman that the Duke of Daring leaves in the dust. Just like he did me.” Her face had grown hard, her cheek bones even more prominent as her mouth pressed into a thin line. “Did he tell you the part where he left me alone to fend for myself or the part where he left me with a child in my belly to raise?”
She felt Tag stiffen. “That isn’t the story and you know it.”
“Isn’t it?” The other woman sneered. Then she looked at Minnie again. “Woman to woman, stay away from him. He’ll bring you nothing but heartache.”
Minnie felt her mouth tremble. She pressed her lips tight together to keep the vibration from showing. “Forgive me, but I do n
ot need advice from you.”
“Oh?” The countess steepled her hands. “Well, a warning then. I’m going to tell all of London about Daring’s little club. My current plan is to share your visit there.”
Minnie felt the blood drain from her face. She wouldn’t marry Tag or any man in England if it meant her cousins and sister would likely experience the same fate. No, Minnie couldn’t let that woman ruin their future. She had to protect them.
“You wouldn’t dare,” Tag growled. “It’s bad enough that you nearly destroyed me, now you’re bringing several innocent parties into this.”
“I nearly destroyed you? Have you met my husband? I was forced to marry that odious man because of you.” Her lips curled over her teeth.
“Perhaps you should have considered that before you took a lover during our engagement.” Tag fired back.
Minnie could feel him tremble. Was it anger or hurt? Inwardly, she shivered as she looked at his face. He was as pale as she felt, though his shoulders were pulled back straight.
“A mistake.” The countess waved her hand. “A good man would have married me despite my indiscretion.”
Minnie’s mouth hung open before she snapped it closed. “You’ve lost your mental faculties,” she said without realizing she’d spoken out loud.
Lady Abernath sneered, her lip curling up on one side. “And you’re about the lose your reputation. I knew you’d go racing to that club just as I knew you wouldn’t be able to resist my invitation tonight. When I tell the world, that I saw you at his establishment, no one in London will touch you.”
Minnie didn’t take kindly to threats. Never had. Her back went straight as an arrow. She’d not allow the countess to intimidate either of them. It was time to fight back.
Tag wanted to throw himself in front of Minnie. Unfortunately, though not close enough for anyone to hear them, they were in plain sight of the party. Surely the crowd would notice if he bodily covered Minnie.
Duke of Daring: Regency Romance (Lords of Scandal Book 1) Page 8
