She sighed. “I wish I’d married already.” Then she tapped his chest. “What do you wish?”
He wished his childhood had been different. More than that, he wished he’d never met Cristina. Maybe then his heart could be open. Open to having Minnie in his life. “I wish I hadn’t backed down those steps today.”
She smiled against his neck, he felt the change in her face even if he couldn’t see it. “Does your shoulder hurt terribly?” She trailed her fingers up over his collarbone, lightly touching his wounded arm.
He relaxed into the touch. “It feels much better now.” Tomorrow he’d leave and go home. There was no reason to see Minnie again. He ached a little thinking of their relationship drawing to a close. He looked over at her, staring at her full lips in the fire light, memories of the kiss they’d shared heating his flesh. It had been a light touch. Why had it affected him so deeply?
She pushed up to a sitting position and he missed her heat. He almost pulled her back down but his fingers curled into the blankets. That would be a mistake.
“I’m glad.” She slowly stood. “Thank you again, Your Grace.” She was putting space between them. Physically, of course, but emotionally too. “I’m glad to have met you.”
Then she turned and left the room. He had the distinct impression that he’d made a terrible mistake in letting her go.
Chapter Nine
Two days later, Minnie stood between Cordelia and Grace watching a parade of dancers float by. She’d danced a few sets herself but was thankful to have a repose between partners.
“What did Lord Knightly ask you while you danced?” Cordelia tucked her head to the side to keep her voice from travelling. “Tell me again. It’s too amusing to miss.”
Minnie sighed. “He asked how I felt about Siamese cats. Apparently, he has ten of them.”
“Siamese?” Grace crinkled her brow. “Aren’t they the howlers?”
“Imagine living with ten howling cats?” Cordelia chuckled. “I’ll have to thank Lord Knightly. He has completely distracted me from worrying about Emily. At least for a few minutes.”
Minnie’s mouth pinched down into a frown. They’d received no word from her cousin. Minnie thought she understood why they’d run off. They needed to marry on their terms without the interference of Jack’s friends or Emily’s family. But to not even send word? Something else must have happened.
They’d only come tonight to cover her absence. As far as the rest of society knew they’d have the wedding as planned.
She kept that to herself however, instead she regaled her cousins with stories about her dance partners.
“Don’t even get me started on Lord Rakenburg. He insinuated I wasn’t a good candidate because I had a sister and four female cousins. Apparently, I am ill-fitted to making male heirs. We can add that to my list of negative attributes.”
“We have loads of male cousins.” Cordelia raised a finger on one hand as she pushed her glasses up with the other.
“You don’t need to convince me,” Minnie answered as she looked to the ceiling. “But I think Rakenburg could use a good lecture on the proper methods of choosing a bride.”
“Drat,” Cordelia hissed spinning around so her back faced the crowd. “It’s him.”
“Who?” Minnie craned her neck, Tag’s face jumping to the forefront of her thoughts.
“I don’t know his actual name.” Cordelia pushed up her glasses. “He was the one that caught me in that silly club. I think they called him Malice.” Cordelia gave a shiver. “What sort of name is that for a man?”
Minnie nibbled on her lip, it did sound rather dark. “Darlington is Daring, that’s—”
“Daring is exciting and interesting,” Cordelia pressed her fingers to her cheeks. “Malice is just plain frightening.”
“He was rather chivalrous. Catching you and all,” Minnie said the words but she didn’t feel them. She had a feeling that none of those men, save Jack, wanted to marry or live traditional lives. Even Jack had stolen her cousin away right before their wedding. Cordelia was likely right to fear Malice. “But if he makes you uncomfortable, then by all means, stay away.”
“Excuse me.” A beautiful woman stopped next to Minnie. “What dreadful man are you ladies staying away from?”
Minnie crinkled her brow, staring at the blonde’s icy visage. Minnie knew who she was but couldn’t quite place her. Something about the color of her hair was so familiar. “You’re mistaken, but thank you for your concern.”
Grace tucked slightly behind Minnie, her small hand resting on Minnie’s shoulder, even as Cordelia spun back around.
The woman gave them an odd look. Her smile indicated she was attempting to be friendly, but there was a hardness about her eyes that was anything but. “No need to lie to me. I have met loads of men that I find loathsome or downright dangerous. We women have to stay together to keep ourselves from harm.”
Then she turned and looked about the crowd. “We wouldn’t be discussing the Marquess of Malicorn, would we?”