Minerva's Match Read online

  “What about your own?” She’d gone very still with his story. She wanted to cry for him, not that he’d asked for her tears.

  “There isn’t the money for that. That’s why I live at the college. Whoever is forced to inherit after me will have to deal with the house.”

  “That seems unfair to do to one’s children.”

  “They won’t be my children. I never intend on marrying. Bloody unfair to saddle a wife with me and a broken-down estate.”

  “Maybe you’ll fall for a rich woman and she you?” The thought gave her a cramp. Stupid of her. His affairs were not hers.

  His laugh caught her unaware. “I’m far too honest to catch a rich wife and too difficult to live with to keep one.”

  “Oh.”

  “Now you know all anyone needs to know about me. Go to sleep.” He settled himself in beside her, and she could tell when he slept by his slight snoring in her ear. There was something rather disarming about it. That this tightly controlled man seemed undone in his sleep. A giggle escaped her lips. Earlier he’d been rather discomfited at sharing a bed with her. Look at him now.

  Perhaps she could manage on less than her full share of the winnings? If they won, and if it was enough, she was going to give him part of her money. It was only right.

  Chapter Seven

  Minerva woke alone. It was still early, judging from the dim light. She scrambled out of bed and dressed as quickly as she could. She was just buttoning her jacket when there was a knock on the door.

  “Yes?” Had James locked the door? She slid one of her knives into her hand, the heft of the handle calming her nerves.

  “Minerva? It’s me. Are you decent?” James’ whisper carried through the door. She let out the breath she’d been holding. She slid the knife away and opened the door.

  “Why are you whispering?” Already travelers were packing up to make the early coaches. “And why are we up so early?”

  “We need to eat something and then get you over to the hall.”

  “I don’t need to eat. I’m ready to leave now.” He handed her some hard crackers and an apple.

  “You’ll do better if you eat something. These things can be long and sometimes boring.”

  “Oh, I don’t think any of it could be boring. I can’t wait.” A child-like squeal erupted from her chest. James laughed at her.

  Minerva slapped at him playfully. “Just because it is old hat to you doesn’t mean it is to me. You can come to one of these any time you’d like. Funds permitting, of course. I’m going to have to be snuck in the back door to see whether or not we win the prize, and that is after working out problems with the man who is the leader in the field. Be honest. If you had known I was a woman from the beginning, would you have even written me back?”

  James stared at his toes for a moment. “Honestly? No. I wouldn’t have encouraged you.”

  Disappointment tinged with anger filled her, where before there had only been excitement. “I see.”

  “Minerva, don’t. I’m not saying it was right. It would have been my loss and a greater loss to the field itself. While I will never be happy about being made a fool of”—he held his finger up when she started to interrupt— “in this particular case, I’m quite happy to have been proven wrong. It does make me worry about you though. You can’t keep this subterfuge up forever, and I don’t see the Society letting women present their academic findings any time soon.”

  “You could suggest a change in the bylaws, could you not?”

  James scratched at his chin. “I could, but in light of our collaboration, it would appear entirely self-serving.”

  “Of course you wouldn’t want even a hint of impropriety.” She was being sarcastic, but he just shook his head in agreement. She suddenly wished she carried a reticule so she could smack him in the head with it. She hadn’t put her bonnet on yet, so she used that instead. It was better than taking a knife to the man.

  “I say! There is no reason to resort to violence.”

  “Truly? I think there is every reason. You dangle this plum in front of me, yet when I reach for it, you slap my hand as if I were a child about to break something. Give me one good reason you cannot at least broach the subject of a change in the bylaws.”

  “It would disqualify us from the scientific prize.”

  “Bother. Why do men have to make things so difficult? You call us the weaker sex but then do everything you can to make sure we never have a level playing field.”

  “Mmm. Maybe we’re afraid you women will find out you don’t need us?”

  “Don’t be ridiculous. Who would we call if we have heavy packages, or when there is some crawly insect to deal with?”

  “There is also the matter of procreation.” James mock leered at her.

  She rolled her eyes at him. “Yes, I suppose some women would want to endure that kind of male attention.” The comment brought him up short, and the teasing atmosphere in the room faded instantly. “Get your bag. I’ll watch it wherever you hide me. We can eat on the way to the hall.”

  They were off in no time. As they walked through the main room of the inn, the innkeeper gave her a highly forward wink. When she tried to bring it to James’s attention, he hustled her out the door. It wasn’t as if she expected him to defend her honor or anything, but he was so abrupt in how he dealt with her. When she looked over her shoulder at the innkeeper, he laughed at them as if he knew something they didn’t. What a strange man.

  Chapter Eight

  James had tucked Minerva behind the curtains in the balcony with the strict admonition that she under no circumstances so much as peek a hair on her head out from there. He expected she’d obey for less time than it took the first presenter to clear his throat. He was risking his career for the chit, but he couldn’t stop smiling. Gah, he hadn’t enjoyed the thought of presenting so much in years, nor had he ever been quite this nervous. He had a reputation for being fearlessly aloof, along with not suffering fools. To the point that his colleagues now did double takes at his grin. He was not a man known for his charm and affability. The thought made him bark a laugh that caused the man trying to gather his nerves to speak with him blanch.

  “I’m sorry!” the young man yelled before trying to escape.

  He grabbed for the man’s arm before he could run. “Sir, did you have a question?” The man looked like he’d just been challenged to a duel.

  “N-no! I was just going to introduce myself.”

  “Well?” The man stared at James in terror. Why was it Minerva had never acted like that toward him? “Out with it, man. Who are you?” He attempted to smile, but the action only increased the man’s agitation. Bollocks. “I mean to say, I’m James Lathrop, and who might I be speaking to?”

  “G-George.” The man swallowed the lump in his throat and pulled himself taller. “George Bucknam, pleased to make your acquaintance.” Well, at least he’d managed a full sentence. That was more than most did.

  “Well, George, how are you enjoying the conference so far?”

  “What?” The word came out a garbled squeak. Oh good, he was back to being terrified.

  “The conference? Have you gotten to see any of the posters? Anything catch your eye?”

  The younger man shook as if he’d taken a blow to the head. “The conference is fine. I’m sorry, it is just that I was told… Never mind. There were a few posters that looked interesting.”

  “Go ahead, you look as though something is weighing on you.”

  “It’s just that, well, I was told you were, well, rather cold and aloof.”

  His last words were nearly whispered. Good Lord, perhaps James had gone too far in trying to be intimidating.

  “I dislike being interrupted from my thoughts. I’m learning to be more gentle in my censure.”

  “Oh, thank God.” The man bent to the floor in relief.

  Truly, James didn’t believe he was that intimidating.

  “What did you think I was going to do?”


  “I had no idea. Challenge me to a duel, perhaps? I’m sorry, I’m babbling now. I just, I was so eager to meet you, yet terrified to speak to you.”

  “I assure you there will be no pistols. So, which posters piqued your interest? Come show me.”

  They spent the next hour discussing various methods of irrigation, crop selection, and plow shape. It was actually enjoyable, and his companion had a better than decent grasp of many of the subjects. The only thing that nattered at him was that he wished Minerva was there to be part of it all. The thought made him frown. Who was this girl to invade his thoughts like that?

  “Did I say something you disagreed with?”

  “Oh no, George. I thought we were past all that. Am I still scaring you?”

  “Sorry. My fiancée says I need to be bolder if I want to get ahead.”

  “Fiancée? Aren’t you young to be in that state already?”

  “Dunno? She seemed happy enough to. Course I’m still waiting on the banns, and I’d like to get a steady position so I can take care of her.”

  “Yes, I suppose you would.” Did Minerva want that? The position, not the fiancé. She’d been quite clear she never intended to marry. Though how she endeavored to avoid it, he had no idea. A man could make his way in the world unattached, but a woman, even one who carried an arsenal hidden on her person, could not.

  Wasn’t that why he’d been forced to trick her into marrying him, for her own protection? He’d said it plenty of times, and it still stood. There was nothing more useless to society than a woman with a brain in her head. And it was up to society to make some real changes. Women like Minerva deserved to be heard.

  “Does your intended have any interest in the field?”

  “What?” The man was back to croaking.

  “Do you discuss what you learn with her?”

  “Am I not supposed to? I can only discuss the latest gossip so much before my head aches.”

  “Relax, sir. I’m just wondering what the newer members of the Society think on women being admitted.” At the wide eyes of his companion, he amended his statement. “Perhaps just with observation privileges. Nothing that would lead to real research. Could you imagine the chaos if women were made academics?” Except the words burned his throat and felt like the worst sort of betrayal. Minerva certainly had the faculties to rival any man he’d met as far as research, and he could imagine young men hanging on her every word in a lecture. Of course, whether they remembered any of it beyond the color of her eyes and the way her bosom rose and fell with every exhalation would be another story. He shook his head to dispel the thought.

  “Dunno. My girl wouldn’t want to. She wants me to get a job as an estate manager, thinks there isn’t any coin in becoming a professor. I suppose if the women didn’t take the jobs, it would be fine enough.”

  “Good, good. I’ll take your thoughts under advisement.” George fairly bobbed with pleasure. “Listen, I need to be alone for a bit to prepare for my lecture. Will I see you there?”

  The man’s eyes brightened. “Of course!”

  “Good, I’ll look for you.” James nearly ran to find Minerva. A sudden fear whispered through him. What if someone found her? His steps gained speed until he was taking the stairs to the balcony two at a time.

  He burst through the doors and stopped dead. She was right where he’d left her, or almost. She’d fashioned a nest of sorts from some tarps that had been left behind and had fallen asleep in the middle of it. Smart girl that she was, if any looked up from the main floor all they would see would be the tarps.

  He stood, watching her sleep as he’d done last night, remembering how her body had melted into his. Would she believe him if he told her the truth, that he’d never had that pleasure before? That he’d never held a woman through the night the way he had her. She’d think him mad. Maybe he was. But he was a man of honor, and he couldn’t bring himself to take from a woman her chastity if he couldn’t offer her a life with him, and he most certainly couldn’t.

  “Minerva. Girl, wake up,” he said softly, jostling her shoulder.

  She gasped as she woke. “I didn’t… Oh, James, it’s you. Oh no. Did I miss your talk? I was warm and comfortable and must have fallen asleep,”

  “You haven’t missed anything. I just came up to see how you’re doing. Are you well?”

  “That is kind of you. I am quite well. I must not have slept much last night.” She didn’t need to add that he’d been the cause of her discomfort. He hoped it wasn’t from worry that he would harm her in the night. “Are you going to speak soon?” She glanced between the balusters to the people starting to fill the hall and let loose a soft sigh. He could imagine how much she wanted to be part of the crush.

  “Minerva, if there were another way…”

  “I know. I’m just happy to be here.”

  “No, it isn’t fair. You are more than capable, qualified even. Why I met a young man today, and bright as he was, I couldn’t help but wish I could talk over some of the concepts with you and get your take on them.”

  Her smile lit her eyes and changed the grey to nearly green. He could stare at them forever, watching their changes to reflect her moods. He shook himself out of his stupor. “I need to be thinking about our work and prepare myself to give this talk.”

  “What do you need me to do?”

  “Nothing. You’ve done your part. Just sit and keep me company for a moment before I go downstairs.” He sat on the bench that ran along the back wall and worked through his, er, their hypothesis and each of their arguments for that thought. When he was done, he opened his eyes and pulled his head from his hands. Minerva was waiting, barely breathing for fear of disturbing him. “Okay, I’m more focused now. I’ll take my leave then. I believe I’m speaking second.”

  “And you understand everything I wrote you?” The question was said innocently enough, but it rankled. James huffed out a breath.

  “Minerva, I am a leader in the field.”

  “Oh!” she squeaked and then chewed her lip. Unfortunately, his focus scattered with the way it made her lips plump, looking so damnably kissable. “I didn’t mean… I just wondered if you had any questions?”

  “I think I can handle this on my own. Watch, you might learn something.” She smirked at him. God help him, he wanted to kiss that saucy grin from her face. He needed to focus on his presentation, not the confounding woman sitting in her nest. So why did she look as though she wanted to be kissed too?

  Gah, now his imagination was playing tricks on him! She had made it plain as dirt that she had absolutely no interest in romantic relationships, and neither did he.

  Except, they both knew there was nothing plain about dirt.

  Chapter Nine

  James listened with an air of attentiveness he didn’t feel as the first of the presenters blathered on about something. With the man’s hemming and hawing, James could barely follow the thread of his conclusion. In his boredom, he shifted in his chair on the stage and saw a few heads swing toward him and then away. His eyes drifted to the balcony, but without even a glimpse of Minerva, there was nothing to hold his interest there.

  He should be reviewing his notes in his head, not searching for a girl for whom he had feelings. He blinked at the thought. He couldn’t have feelings for her. His eyes flashed to the balcony again. Still no sign of her. He’d told her to stay hidden, so why was he searching for her?

  Dear God, was he developing a tendre for the pretty little… Heaven help him, he was! A groan escaped his chest, which he covered with a cough when the speaker turned to look his way.

  Well, it made no difference. He couldn’t have her, regardless. He’d learned to live without other things. This was no different. If he could learn to make economies by taking his tea without milk, he could live without a too-curious gray-eyed girl. She’d never want him anyway.

  The speaker finished taking the one question asked of him. Evidently, no one else could follow his line of thought either. The man g
athered his papers and nodded at James as he sat. James collected his thoughts and stood, giving his waistcoat a tug. He always spoke without notes, so there was no need to lay anything out on the lectern. He took a moment to survey the crowd, finding a few friendly faces and acknowledging them. When his eyes found George Bucknam’s, the man smiled but also turned bright red at being found. Intelligent though the man might be, if he couldn’t tolerate any kind of scrutiny, he would never feel comfortable as an academic.

  Gripping the sides of the lectern, James began. “Today, I would like to present…” He kept speaking, but all his attention was focused on the beam of sunlight cutting through the dust of the clerestory, and where it gilded the hair of one too-curious girl. She sat with her chin cradled on her hands as they lay on top of the balustrade. Worse, she was grinning at him as if he’d hung the moon. If she continued looking at him like that, he’d start to think he had. He stopped and cleared his throat. Damn! He had no recollection of what he’d said last. His eyes darted to hers, and she held up four fingers. Ah yes! Damn the girl for confusing him. Further proof that she was no good for him.

  “Dividing the arable land into four sections instead of three yields benefits greater than the sum of its parts.” His eyes rose to her as he spoke and watched as she nodded her agreement with what he was saying. Their work was so intertwined, it was impossible to separate what was his and what hers. The words fell from his lips, but his thoughts stuck on her, and no amount of his considerable will would pull them from their course.

  As he continued speaking, he had to remind himself consciously to look at his audience, if only so they didn’t turn and see the woman he was fixated on. He stopped occasionally and coughed to cover his lack of composure. Damn, this had never happened to him. He needed to get a grip on himself if he wanted a share of that prize. He pointedly didn’t look at Minerva as he finished up his presentation.

  “Now if there are any questions I might answer?” Hands shot into the air throughout the hall. Bloody hell, this was going to be a long one. And judging from the buzzing in the air, none of these questions would be asked out of politeness. He breathed a sigh of relief, George was one of his inquisitors. Always good to start with something easy.