The more he thought about it, the worse that idea sounded. He watched the flames dance as he reasoned out the whys of it. First, his mother had never loved his father. Though she’d pretended at the beginning, she’d married him for his status. He’d surmised that much from the fights he’d overheard. And Cristina, he could only assume that she’d also been motivated by station and finances when she’d accepted his proposal. Why else would she have a lover while ensnaring a duke?
But that only made him grimace. Minnie hadn’t been subtle. She was in the market for a husband. And that had kept him away. But there were other traits that pulled him dangerously close.
Cristina would never have cradled him in her lap the way Minnie had. In fact, neither would his mother. She’d responded to his childhood illnesses and injuries with mild distaste, or even, on a few occasions, severe displeasure. When he’d broken his arm falling from a tree at the age of eight, she’d told him that’s what he got for being so foolish and then left for London for the six weeks the injury had healed.
“She’s a hard woman,” his father had consoled.
Minnie would never mistreat her family. She’d protect her loved ones with everything she had. He thought of the way she’d defended Emily on the first night they’d met. The way she was marrying for Ada’s sake.
And the way she’d held him while he was in bed injured. She didn’t expect him to marry her but she’d wanted to touch him…hadn’t she?
“Excuse me, Your Grace,” the butler called from the doorway. “The Marquess of Malicorn is here to see you.”
“Here…now?” He turned. What did Malice want at this time of night? “See him in.”
A few minutes later, Malice strode through the door with his usual swagger about his shoulders, but his face was drawn and tense. He tossed himself into a chair next to Tag. “Well. I knew when your old lady friend cornered Emily and told her about the club, it wasn’t a good sign. We should have been watching Lady Abernath instead of the Chase women.”
“What’s happened?” Darlington sat up straighter, dread making his legs heavy.
“I went to the party. The one I’d secured an invitation for. I mentioned it last week.”
Tag rolled his hand, wanting Malice to tell the story already. “Yes. Yes. You’re a marquess. Invitations are not difficult for you.”
Malice raised his brows. “You’re as prickly as that little chit, Minnie.”
“She is Miss Chase to you,” Tag snapped.
Malice sat back in his chair, his gaze piercing as his mouth thinned. “It’s good that I’ve come.”
“Why is that?” Tag sat forward, growing more impatient by the second. It was near midnight and his friend was talking but saying nothing.
Malice frowned as he tented his hands in front of his face as though he were making a profound statement. “You’re sweet on her.”
The words pushed him back in his chair. Was it that obvious? His heart raced in his chest as he considered his feelings. “What does Minnie have to do with you arriving here in the middle of the night?”
“I attended that ball—”
“You’ve said,” he bit out.
“And Lady,” he drew out the word, his lip curling, “Minerva was there. As was the Countess of Abernath.”
“Bloody effing bullocks,” Tag roared, pushing out of his chair, then pacing over to the fire. “Did they meet?” The countess was a woman who hurt people. If she hurt Minnie, he’d make her pay the way he should have years ago.
“Oh, they met.” Malice sneered around the words. “Looked chummy even. They chatted for a while. Laughed and talked.”
“You…you’re joking.” Sick dread filled his stomach. Perhaps the countess hurting Minnie was not the problem at all. “Did they seem to know each other?”
“I couldn’t say. But they talked for a long time. And then Abernath approached me with a message to you.”
“A message?” Dread formed deep in his gut.
“The countess said, and I quote, ‘Tell Daring that Lady Minerva is going to help me make him pay for what he’s done.’”
Chapter Ten
Minnie sat for her calling hours the next morning, tapping her chin, wondering how she was going to speak to Tag. If only Emily were here, she’d be able to help. Then again, if Emily were here, she wouldn’t need to unravel this mystery.
Of course, a tiny voice whispered that she just wanted to see Tag again. But she pushed that annoying suggestion aside. This wasn’t about him and the way he filled her with breathless excitement. Or the way she seemed to crave his touch.
She turned her head to stare out the window down to the street. She needed to focus on Emily. Why would she and Jack have decided to run away?
But she caught a familiar crest as a carriage rumbled to a stop in front of their town house.
She stood as Tag exited the vehicle, making for their front stairs. She caught her breath as she stared down at his broad shoulders, his long stride carrying him quickly to the door.
Her chaperone looked up at her. Mary was an older, unmarried cousin who’d come to visit for the wedding. She referred to herself as a spinster but Minnie liked to think that Mary could still have any man she chose. At five and twenty, she was a beauty to be certain. “What is it?”
“His Grace,” she said, her hand fluttering somewhere between her face and her waist. “How is my hair?”
Mary smiled. “Red.”
Minnie wrinkled her nose then stuck out her tongue. “Very funny.”
“By the way, a letter also came for you this morning.” Mary pointed toward the secretary. “It has the Abernath crest upon it.”
“You know the Abernaths?” Minnie put her thoughts of Tag aside as she crossed the room to her cousin.
“Of course.” Mary frowned. “The Countess of Abernath regularly hosts large social events. During my two seasons, ladies prayed for an invitation, though mothers of eligible girls often refused them.”
“Why?” Minnie leaned forward her hands clasped.
Mary bent forward as well, her voice dropping. “The rules were somehow different at the Abernaths. People were less…inhibited.”
Minnie sat back. “Somehow, that makes sense.”
“Do you know her? Is that an invitation to her home?” Mary’s eyes widened. “Oh Minnie, don’t go.”
Minnie crossed the room and tore open the note. Sure enough, it was an invitation from the hostess. She dropped the note to the desk. “Of course she promised me that all sorts of eligible bachelors would be in attendance. Dangling a carrot in front of my face.”
The door creaked open. “Miss Chase.” Their butler stepped into the room. “The Duke of Darlington is here to see you.”
“See him in.” She swallowed, forgetting all about the countess or the party as she moved toward the door.
“No need,” Tag’s deep voice called. “I’m already here.”
Her heart jumped up into her throat. “Your Grace,” she said, her voice breathy and she raised a hand to her throat to calm her jittery nerves.
“Miss Chase,” he replied, inclining his head as he stared at her, his back stiff and his mouth pinched into a frown.
“Is everything all right?” She took a step closer, her voice dropping. Something was off. There was no warmth in his gaze today, the lines of his face hard. “Have you heard from Lord Effington?”
He shook his head. “I have not.” He pulled at his jacket, smoothing the fabric over his massive chest. “But I did receive word from the Countess of Abernath.”
That made her pause. “Did she invite you to her party too?”
“Party?” he asked, his brow furrowing.
She spun about and reached for the invitation. “Yes. I just received this.” She picked up the letter and brought it to Tag.
He scanned the contents. “And I suppose you want me to come with you?”
Now she knew something was amiss. Normally, he was eager to attend social events with her, claim
ing it was his duty to do so. “Why would you come with me? We’ve already decided we shouldn’t be seen together anymore. I’m not sure why you’re even here.”
He carefully folded the note, handing it back to her. “I’m here because of the countess’s message.”
Now she was truly confused. “What message?”
He tugged at his coat again, his face pulling into severe lines. “As if you don’t know.”
Minnie cocked her head to one side, looking at him as she tried to discern what they were even discussing. “I met the Countess of Abernath for the first time last night and suddenly an invitation shows up at my door along with an angry duke. You’re going to have to explain this to me because I am thoroughly perplexed.”
He gave his head a stiff shake. “I’m not playing your game any longer, Minerva. Tell me what you and the countess are plotting.”
His accusation made her angry. “You think that I am plotting something with her?” Her shoulders straightened. “She’s the very woman who nearly destroyed Emily. Remember my cousin who is now missing. Are you insinuating that I had something to do with her disappearance as well?”
His face paled. Just a little. “I do remember that now. She told Emily about the club.”
“She did. And she told me that you broke her heart.” Minnie stepped closer. “I don’t know what happened between the two of you, and honestly, it’s none of my business.”
His lips pressed into a hard line. “You’re right. My past isn’t your concern.”
“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?”
“Everyone knows the two of you were once engaged. It’s much more believable if it comes from another source.”
He stared at Minnie, another piece clicking into place. “And if she thought I was courting you, she’d want to end that relationship. It wouldn’t do to see me happy.”
Minnie looked back at him, the corners of her eyes crinkling. “Well the joke is on her, then. We were never, nor will we ever court.”
His own insides twisted. Which was ridiculous. He’d been the one to openly tell her he wasn’t interested. And he’d come here accusing Minnie of plotting against him. He couldn’t also be considering marriage. But something inside of him wanted to correct her. “I suppose I have no choice but to attend her party and confront her. This has to come to a stop before anyone else is hurt.”
Minnie looked down at her lap. “Good plan. I wish you luck.”
“Are you attending?” Somehow, he wanted to see Minnie and Cristina together. If he saw them, he’d know for certain that Minnie wasn’t involved.
She shook her head. “For several reasons, I don’t think that’s wise.”
“Thank the lord,” the chaperone said from the corner.
He
bent forward, dropping his voice to a whisper. “Not that I blame your chaperone, but she doesn’t like me much.”
Minnie raised her brows. “You did just accuse me of subterfuge.” Then she leaned closer too. “But in this case, it’s the countess she doesn’t care for.”
He rubbed his hands along his thighs. “If you come, we might be able to get more information on Emily and Jack.”
“Such as what?” Minnie said at the same moment the chaperone gasped.
“We could ask Cristina what she said to Emily that night.” He held his breath. It was a thin argument at best.
Minnie shook her head. “I don’t think so, Your Grace. “I know what the countess said. The answers I seek aren’t there.”
He dropped his voice so the chaperone couldn’t hear. “Please Minnie. I need your help.”
She threaded her fingers together. “Tag, people are already taking notice of how much we’re seen together.”
So that was the issue. “Bring your family and your chaperone. We’ll make certain we’re not seen together.”
She stopped, her face pulling taut as she smoothed her skirts. “All right, Tag. I’ll attend. I pray that I do not regret this.”
“Thank you,” he answered. Had he just won or played right into their hands?
Chapter Eleven
Minnie stood in her favorite ballgown of silk ivory staring at Tag across the room. Her mother, aunt, and cousins chatting behind her.
“Minnie.” Ada tapped her shoulder. “Another lord just passed and you didn’t even notice him.”
“So?” she asked still looking at Tag, he stared back from across the room.
“So?” Ada huffed. “So. He was looking at you, but you never made eye contact with him so he kept walking instead of asking you to dance.”
“Who?” She finally looked at her sister. She didn’t want to be distracted by Tag. First, he’d told her he wouldn’t marry her, and he’d accused her being in league with that she-devil, the Countess of Abernath. Then he’d had the audacity to ask for her help. Which she’d granted. Why had she done that?
Duke of Daring: Regency Romance (Lords of Scandal Book 1) Page 7