Minerva's Match Read online

  Minerva hailed a large man as they arrived at the tent she’d sought. James felt jealousy race through him, but the man was nothing other than appropriate. His jealousy flared again as a younger man, almost a boy really, threw his arms around Minerva. James had already taken a step toward pulling the youth off of her when she stepped back and introduced him.

  “James, this is…”—she paused and briefly looked around—“The Cat, or Katie, Colin Campbell’s sister. Katie, this is James Lathrop, Earl of Lansford, though no one here knows him by that name.” Katie stepped back and took a long look at him. All of these Heiresses were deuced confounding. He must have passed whatever test she had for him, because he was quickly forgotten in the women’s rush to catch up.

  “First, I lost your address,” Minerva told her. “Then James turned out to be the evil earl.” He stared Minerva down then. “Fine. That is just what I called you and fine, you aren’t so evil as James Lathrop, but you have to understand my surprise.”

  “No more than mine in finding out that my prized pupil was a woman.”

  “Point taken. Anyway, then my bag was stolen, and James was a dear and refused to abandon me, even when it was in his best interests to do so. And then there was the fact that he had to say I was his betrothed in front of the entire Society.”

  Katie gave him a narrow-eyed stare again and nodded slightly, as if she had answered some question of her own. Minerva launched into the part where she’d used him for target practice and he’d had to defend her honor. He made a thorough examination of his boots to stave off the embarrassment of his actions.

  When he looked up again, Minerva had finished her tale of adventure, only leaving out the part where they had fallen into bed together. Funny, that was the only part that really mattered to him. Well, other than the fact that he’d married the woman, but then she still didn’t know that. He suddenly had a perverse notion to correct her, but she didn’t want to be married, and he really had no business tying a wife to his debts. Dammit, was it too much for her to want to marry him? He didn’t want to marry, except this one difficult girl!

  Katie chose that moment to interject. “So you both need a way back to London?” She looked at him again, as if asking him to beg off. He certainly would not.

  “I have no intention of leaving Miss Wright vulnerable to the baser elements of society. We are a package deal, I’m afraid.”

  “Oh and I need to be home by the twentieth.” That was the first he’d heard of Minerva’s time constraints. Good Lord, that only left them a couple more days. His stomach cramped. He was going to lose her, but then he’d offered for her and been told no. Still, there was something about this particular woman. Perhaps because they’d met as collaborators first, or just something about Minerva herself that made him want more of her: her time, her attention, gads, even her touch.

  “What happens on the twentieth?” Katie asked Min.

  “Oh, my father will be arriving. He had a conference of his own. He’s promised me some surprise. Nothing to get that excited about really, probably just another classics text.” She seemed so dismissive, yet it sounded like the man had treated her the same way. “If he gets there, and I’m not home, he’ll forbid me to ever go anywhere again.”

  “But surely he wouldn’t?” The words were out of his mouth without a thought behind them. Both of the women looked at him questioningly.

  “Colin would have locked me in my room if I were your age and gallivanting around the countryside. And he is only my brother. If it weren’t for you-all and Louisa’s influence on him, I have no doubt I’d be locked in one of the rooms of the fort for doing this.” Katie spread her arms to encompass everything around her.

  She had a point. Her riding was dangerous for anyone, but hiding her femininity among the rabble was even more dangerous. Being found out could be worse than being thrown from a horse. Minerva nodded at her in agreement.

  “James, don’t think that my father has any appreciation for what I am doing. If I had been born male, then things would have been very different. When he found out that I had been sneaking into his library to study some of his books, he started locking the door. When I borrowed some of his students’ books, he forbid me to speak with them. I was of no interest to him before he realized I was capable of learning as quickly as his students. And after, well, then I was a liability. Locking me away until he could marry me off would be the best that I could hope for if he catches me out.”

  Did this explain her burning desire to have the work presented? And was it the cause of her seeming to not care that she had a chance at being even a partial member of the Society? And no one was marrying her off! He had to get her away from there. Even a life as a penniless countess was better than living in fear of being married against her will. Or her knowledge. Dear Lord, what had he done?

  He turned to face Minerva, speaking to her in a near whisper. She didn’t have to know that it was emotion that clogged his throat. “I won’t let that happen to you. Ever.” She made some dismissive motion of her hand but didn’t contradict him, for once. Good. He meant what he’d said.

  “Right,” Katie said. “You two need to get out of here so I can get ready to ride. Gareth found someone going to London, but you’ll need to help them out. Come back after my race is over.”

  They both assured her they would and thanked her, but mostly they wished her luck. James didn’t know how he felt about the girl racing. She seemed more than capable enough, but there was the very real concern of her getting hurt, killed even. Jockeys died all the time from injuries sustained in races. Still, he had one woman to worry over who didn’t want his help, and God save him from another one.

  Minerva dragged James to a spot where they could watch the races. She huffed to herself, remembering the look in his eyes when he’d said he wouldn’t let anything happen to her. Really, as if she couldn’t take care of herself. Even now, as the crowd jostled them, he pulled her in front of him, using his body to shield hers. She found herself leaning into him just a little. The warmth of his body pushed the chill from her bones. Why was she always so cold, as if it rose up from within instead of having anything to do with the actual weather? And why was he always so warm? These last few nights curled up with him had been the best she’d slept in memory. Her conscience told her it was because she felt safe with him, yet she didn’t want to listen. It was weakness on her part, plain and simple.

  The first riders were off with a wave of the flag, and the horses pounded past them. Their coats shone like polished amber in the late sun. They were breathtaking to watch. She’d placed her bets on those races where she’d been able to examine the horses and observe the riders.

  Some of the riders had already been drinking. She didn’t know if it was a way to tamp down their fear or if that was just what jockeys did, but she didn’t put any money on a rider who had already had any liquor. It didn’t seem a case for good judgment on their part.

  Some of the horses had looked near wild with fear, and she hadn’t bet on those either. That hadn’t had anything to do with judgment so much as not wanting to take advantage of the poor beasts. Some of the horses seemed to know what the day was about and, if she had to guess, were looking forward to it. She fingered the slips of paper in her pocket as the races continued. She’d won more than she’d lost, which was the key.

  She tugged out of James’ grasp to go collect her winnings, but he refused to release her. “James, I have to go get my money.”

  “I told you, I don’t like gambling.”

  “You did. I didn’t make you place any bets.”

  “Minerva, don’t be flip.”

  “You are not my father, nor my husband. What I do with my money is none of your business.” She made to step away and he clasped her arm, tugging him back to her.

  “Why are you so confounding?”

  “I was born this way. If you don’t let me go, I shall have to take drastic measures.” She leveled a look that she hoped would convey just how
much those measures would hurt. She wouldn’t truly injure him, but the man’s sense of morality could be a little much.

  “Fine, I’ll go with you then.”

  She rolled her eyes at him, but she liked having him near. She didn’t always feel as confident in crowds, preferring to fade into the background. She had marveled at the way James seemed to be able to speak to anyone. Being the focus of attention when she was onstage was different. She didn’t have to talk to anyone then.

  She found the man with whom she’d placed the bets. She had already calculated the individual payouts on each win and what the total would be. The “gentleman” chewed on the stump of a cigar and looked her up and down. To his credit, James stood off to the side and allowed her some space to conduct the transaction.

  When the man handed her the winnings, she did a quick count in her head. The blighter!

  “This is three pounds short!”

  “Is not. Move along now, missy.” Did he really think she would just give up? When she raised her voice, she felt shoving behind her, but she ignored it.

  “You are a cheat! I want the rest of my money.”

  “Says you, what are you going to do about it? Unless you’d like to go around back of my cart…” She reached for one of her knives, but before she could even pull it out, the man was holding his nose as blood poured from it.

  “The lady says you’re a cheat, and the best you can do is proposition her?” James yelled at the man. “Give the lady all of her winnings, or I will let her take care of you.” At which point, he pulled her hand up, which was still gripping the knife, and stuck the point into the cart beside the man’s head. She turned her head to speak to James and saw they were starting to draw a crowd.

  The man holding his nose sputtered back at James, “How do you know she’s right?”

  “I’ve seen the woman calculate ratios and percentages in her head faster than I could do it on paper. If she says your numbers are off, they’re off.”

  “Bloody bit…” The man stopped his tongue at James’ audible growl. “Fine, ’ere’s your money. Don’t come back.” James raised his fists again, but she tugged him away before there was any more bloodshed.

  “I didn’t need you to do that. I could have handled it myself.”

  “I didn’t like the way he was speaking to you.” James gave her a crooked grin. “And I thought if I handled it he had a better chance of making it home tonight, you as well.”

  Minerva smiled back at him. “Be that as it may, did you hurt yourself?” She lifted his hand and checked to make sure he hadn’t damaged it. Some bruising on top of what was there from last night. His association with her had turned him into a brawler. She flipped his hand over and poured her winnings into it. “Here. I won this for you.”

  He looked up at her in alarm. “Minerva, I can’t take this.”

  “Of course, you can. Don’t be ridiculous. You need that money for the plow. It isn’t enough, but it should help the cause.”

  She watched as the urge to give the money back argued with his desire to see his tenants taken care of. Finally, he gave up and tucked the money safely away.

  “Why would you give me all of that?”

  “Because, James Lathrop, you are an honorable man.” The look of confusion was so apparent on his face she couldn’t help but laugh and kiss him. Dammit, the man was so very kissable when he was disarmed. “Come now or we’ll miss the last race. I didn’t bet on The Cat. Sh—He wins so often, they were only giving even money.”

  She tugged him through the crowd again. They reached the track just as the flag fell. The entire crowd seemed to surge forward, urging the horses and riders on. At first, it didn’t look as though it was going to even be a fair race with the way Katie’s opponent outpaced her. As she struggled back though, the crowd started screaming its encouragement. Even Minerva and James lost themselves in the excitement. As the riders drew closer to where they stood, Katie pulled even, but her opponent started using his crop on her instead of on his horse.

  “That’s not fair!” Minerva tried to push forward, but strong hands pulled her against a hard body. When she looked, it was James who held her. The riders flashed past them. All she was aware of was James’ arms around her waist and the way his breath tickled her ear as he spoke to her.

  “In this kind of country race, it is. Trust Katie knows what she is doing.” He stroked his nose along her skin, and she wanted nothing more than to turn in his arms and kiss him, horse race be damned. The chaotic thumping of her heart drowned out the pounding of the horses’ hooves. She swallowed down her weakness and forced her eyes to follow the race as it wound around the track. When she lost sight of the riders, she slumped in James’ hold, but he didn’t let her go. Then he was kissing her neck and murmuring words that soothed her even if she had no idea what he was saying, even if she’d had no idea she’d needed soothing.

  The noise of the crowd became deafening as the riders approached the finish line. The horses were neck and neck as they thundered forward. James hadn’t let her go, though the kisses had stopped. Cocooned in his arms, she was safe from all the chaos and confusion. She started yelling with everyone else. Most were cheering The Cat on, but some wanted to see the streak fall. James, who had been so reluctant to even come, was yelling right along with her.

  As the riders edged closer, Minerva could barely breathe from the excitement. With one last wild surge, Katie drove her horse forward to win. The crowd went wild, hollering, slapping strangers on the back, grown men holding each other and jumping up and down. It was quite the spectacle, or it would have been if James hadn’t spun her in his arms and kissed her long and hard. Suddenly, it felt like the crowd was cheering for them. Perhaps it just felt that way to her. Yet when she pulled away, James dove back in to claim her lips though neither of them could stop smiling. She tucked her head against his shoulder and rode out the confusion around them.

  As the crowd thinned, James whispered in her ear, “We should see about getting you home.”

  This was it. Their time together could be measured in a few short days, during which they’d be in close quarters with others. They wouldn’t be free like this ever again.

  Despite Katie’s win, despite the money Minerva had been able to give James, she suddenly felt on the verge of tears and hugged him closer than she had before. If things were different. If he were just a penniless academic. If she could believe someone like him could truly love her, they might have stood a chance, but if wishes were horses… she’d still be stuck walking.

  Oh, this was not the time for melancholy! James would laugh at her if he knew what she was thinking. So she put on a brave face and moved through the crowd.

  Chapter Nineteen

  James was rocked hard against the side of the wagon, nearly tumbling off. At this point, he was willing to fall just to be off the damned thing. He looked over at Minerva and knew he’d do damn near anything to stay right where he was. No, if the last couple of days had taught him anything, it was that the warmest, truest place in the whole of the universe was somewhere in her arms. God help him, he’d fallen in love with her. He had no right. Though when had Cupid’s arrows ever cared about something as trivial as that?

  Min batted at some hay tickling her nose, looking for all the world like a contented sleeping kitten. He, on the other hand, was growing surly with banked frustration. As much as he’d enjoyed the nights they had spent together, he had forced himself to resist her overtures. It had been hell on his body, curling up with her to keep warm, but his head prevailed. The hay wagon rocked again.

  “Bloody fool.” He cursed himself as he reached for her to pull her head to rest on his chest. And just like a kitten, she kneaded at him until she found her comfort. With that she let out a soft sigh that might as well as have been purring. With the next jolt of the cart, she woke. “Did you get any sleep?” he asked.

  “A bit.” She yawned and stretched. “Did you?”

  He gave her a sidelong glance
. “With the way the cart has been moving? Besides, one of us has to keep an eye out for danger.”

  She laughed at him and the sound made his heart clench. They would be in London soon, and he still had no idea how to solve this problem. This beguiling, confusing, stunningly beautiful conundrum named Minerva. Any time he tried to broach the subject of her doing the reasonable thing and marrying him, she wouldn’t even let him get the words out. To the point that he had stopped trying.

  “Have you eaten anything?” She pulled away from him to dig through the basket they shared.

  He tugged her back to his shoulder. “Right now I’d rather just have you.” She raised her head to look at him, and he blushed like a young fool at the truth that lay under his words. “Stop it,” he growled at her, her look setting his blood pounding, pulling her more firmly against him. They sat like that until the sun was fading in the sky. The farmer they were riding with pulled the wagon off near a small farm. James and Minerva met him at the back of the cart.

  “Well, this is it. My brother doesn’t have much in the way of lodging, I’m afraid. The best you’ll get here is the hayloft over the stable. We’ll stop for the night and then leave at first light for the city. Should get there by tomorrow afternoon.”

  “Once we get to the city, I can hire a hack to take us to our destination. I want to thank you again for your help,” James said.

  “Yes, you have been very kind. Truly, won’t you let us pay you something?” Minerva asked.

  “I was going this way regardless. No trouble to throw two young people in the back. Did you find ways to entertain yourselves?” The old reprobate grinned at them. He had assumed they were a young married couple and James might have encouraged his misunderstanding. Hell, he hadn’t lied. They were married, until he applied for that annulment.