Minerva's Match Read online

  “I’m not, you didn’t…” There was a fluttering of her hands. “Anyway, I’m not. I don’t even know if I can… Never mind, I don’t want to discuss it.” If that bastard had left her harmed, horsewhipping was too good for him. “I’m not marrying you, James.”

  That had been his mistake. A reasonable woman would accept his proposal. However, Miss Minerva Wright was anything but reasonable. So why was he pushing so hard for her to marry him? He’d done what was required of him. He’d offered, and she’d refused. Still, it didn’t sit right with his conscience.

  “That is a wholly imperfect form of contraception. I believe I was actually conceived under just such circumstances.” At least that was what his father had claimed. It was James’ fault that he’d been tied to that slattern. “You won’t know until your courses.”

  She squeaked in indignation. “You are not to speak of such of things.”

  “Gah! This from the woman who straddled me in the night and…” Dammit. Now he wanted to relive that wondrous moment. Her sitting astride him, looking like a goddess in the moonlight. Her gray eyes glittering in ecstasy, her hair streaming over her shoulders and down her back. His stomach clenched, and all he wanted was to haul her back to bed and finish this fight in a much more pleasurable way.

  When he looked up again, she was completely dressed and buttoning up her jacket. The same that had knives secreted away. So much for pulling her into bed and persuading her that way. He was doomed to fail. Fine, she didn’t want to marry him. He didn’t blame her.

  He hoisted himself out of bed and caught her eye, but not before those eyes had taken in the whole of him and left her flushed and distracted. He was a cad, but the chit had just rejected his proposal, so a bit of tit for tat was in order. He sauntered over to her. His clothes were folded over the back of the chair beside her, after all. Her gasp for breath was strangely gratifying under the circumstances. He’d never thought himself capable of arousing a woman by sight alone. Maybe it was just this one impossible woman. The thought made him smile and kiss her. He didn’t miss her sigh or the way her body softened against him. Damn, with thoughts like that, his erection was never going to subside. He turned her toward the door and gave her a pat on her bottom. The fire in her eyes was a challenge he wanted to take up, but not when she was armed to the teeth.

  “Go see about some breakfast, and I’ll be down presently.”

  When she had gone and he’d dressed, he counted out the money she had organized on the table. Not even enough for breakfast and her passage back to London. He could only hope the committee saw fit to award the prizes today.

  When he arrived downstairs, James got the shock of seeing Minerva’s arms around the innkeeper. His first response was one of anger tinged with jealousy, but he had no right. She was her own woman. She’d rejected his proposal. He was nothing to her but a passing diversion. Still, the thought rankled, and lost in his reverie, he stumbled.

  Minerva tore herself away from the innkeeper and ran to him “I knew it. I knew you were hurt worse than you had let on.” She threw her arms around him, and he fought off the sense of safety and security he found at her touch. When he opened his eyes, the innkeeper was standing behind her.

  “Are you all right, son? Robbie might not be fast, but he has mighty heavy fists.”

  “No, no, I’m fine. Just distracted. And in need of some breakfast.” He would have to harness his jealousy to be more persuasive at the conference meeting later.

  Chapter Sixteen

  Minerva pushed food and coffee in front of James. “Here then, eat something. Are you sure you’re all right?” The stubborn man nodded his head as he drank some of the coffee.

  “This was what I needed. I’ll be fine.”

  She wanted to strangle him. How could the man be so single-minded? Yet when she was his focus, he could make her body sing. She shivered at the thought, remembering how he had touched her last night, the look in his eyes as they’d coupled. She had never felt more connected to another human being.

  And then he’d had to go and ruin it all. Why had he asked her to marry him? Some misguided sense of propriety? More like to assuage his guilt. All men were like that, take their pleasure and then leave, or make some dreadful mistake out of misguided fear. She had thought James better than that. Still, he had given her pleasure, not just taken his own. She owed him a modicum of appreciation.

  “So you’re going to go get our prize money today?”

  James barked out a laugh.

  “You’re making an assumption there, girl. It is quite conceivable that we haven’t won anything. And with the money from yesterday, we won’t even have enough to pay for your passage back to London after we eat breakfast.”

  “Oh! That is what I was talking to the innkeeper about when you arrived. There is a fair in town, and there will be horse races.”

  He glowered at her now. “You didn’t strike me as the gambling type, but then again, you didn’t strike me as a performer either, and last night you proved me wrong.” She felt a blush rise to her cheeks and saw the same on his. Were they both thinking about what had happened after her performance? She couldn’t let that distract her from her goal. And her goal was self-sufficiency. She had no desire to rely on anyone. She just needed the means, and the prize money, combined with what money they had earned last night, would go a long way toward her goal. Of course, she would have to give James some.

  “Typically, I’m not a gambler. I prefer a sure thing, and there are few things that are sure. In this case, horse races mean The Cat will be there. If I can talk to her, then she will be able to get us home for far less than it would cost on a coach.”

  “Wait, you said ‘her’? I’ve heard of ‘him.’ He’s some boy, amazing on a horse. I’ve known some who’ve lost money betting against him.”

  “You can’t tell anyone. But I’ve met her, and she is most definitely female. She is the sister-in-law of my friend Louisa. You met her and her husband, Colin Campbell.”

  “Yes, you mentioned that they married. Campbell’s is The Cat?”

  She couldn’t help the smile that crossed her face. Truthfully, she would have loved to see Katie race no matter what, but to see her race and have a little coin to bet, to make a little extra money, that was a dear thing.

  “Shh, she doesn’t want everyone to know. But yes, she is. How long do you think you’ll be at the conference?”

  “Don’t know. I hadn’t thought there would be this much of an issue.”

  “You never did say why there was such debate. I didn’t see the last two lectures, were they quite good?”

  “Um, well, no. I mean, they weren’t bad, but one was by a junior researcher and there were some obvious problems with his methodology, and the other was by a very senior fellow, who has been repackaging the same research over and over again. It was quite novel twenty years or more ago, but now most of the audience just sat, waiting for him to finish.”

  Hope flared in her chest. They did have a good chance at the first prize, she knew it! “So you were correct. We will win.” She couldn’t help it and threw her arms around him. His arm snaked around her waist and they sat like that for a long moment. Her soul drank in that sense of comfort she only received from him.

  “Unfortunately, it might not be that simple.” He set her away from him, and she wanted to soothe the tense creases between his eyes.

  “What do you mean? I heard the first lecture. It was fine as things went, but I didn’t feel it truly moved the field forward. James, our work means that fewer men would be required to work the fields, yet they could feed more people. How is that not worthy of the first-place prize?”

  “Dear sweet naive Minerva.” She wanted to slap him now. How could he be so dear one minute and so… aggravating the next! “Do you really think these types of things are decided on merit alone? There are petty politics in play, not to mention rivalries, fear of the future, and a host of other issues.”

  “So, we won’t win?”
She wasn’t silly. She knew it was a possibility but… she wanted it so badly. Not just the prize money, though that would be useful obviously, but the recognition, even if she couldn’t enjoy it publicly. She’d wanted James, or rather J.A. Lathrop to be pleased with her work. And if they didn’t win, then would he really be happy with it?

  His eyes softened as he looked down at her. “I don’t know. I shouldn’t have led you to believe… I’m afraid our little mishap yesterday ruffled some feathers. Some of the more conservative members of the Society were calling for my ouster.”

  “James, no! They can’t. It isn’t fair. There isn’t anyone there better than you.”

  Now he smiled. “Your loyalty is duly noted. But I prevailed with the help of Duckworth. Evidently, the man is devoted to his wife and used to sneak her in to conferences back in the day.”

  “Really? I can’t even imagine him as a young man.”

  “Neither can I. When he told the committee, I nearly burst out laughing. Still, there are some who would see me, er, us, punished for our hubris.”

  “That makes me so angry.” She slapped at the table in front of them. “And it isn’t fair. The work should be judged on its own merits, not how well liked the person delivering it is.” This made him laugh, and in the face of his laughter, she felt her anger draining away. “James? You still think the work, including my contribution to it, is significant, don’t you?”

  “Absolutely.”

  “So, you’d be willing to continue to collaborate?” He ducked his head and stuffed a bite of egg in his mouth, taking far too long to chew. He was dodging her. “You rat!”

  “Minerva, be reasonable.” She could tell from his face that he wished he could take those words back. Grabbing her hands—probably so she couldn’t stab him—he continued. “It isn’t that I wouldn’t want to, but I have to think of my estate, my tenants. What would they do without my support? If I were nothing but a drain on them? You have such good ideas. It is foolish of the men, but there isn’t much I can do on my own.”

  “But you’ll fight for this? I want so much for the work we’ve done to mean something.”

  “It will, Minerva. Whether we win the prize or not. I’ve already put into practice some of our innovations, where I could with my own lands.”

  “That’s why you need the plow! Oh, I wish I could see it. It will be glorious. So you will seek out the committee, and I’ll find Katie to see about a way home.”

  “I’m not giving you money to bet with. I dislike gambling and saw how it aided in destroying my family.”

  She raised her brow at him. “I beg your pardon, my lord. But that money was mine and fairly won. You didn’t seem to have a problem with it last night.”

  “Last night, I was caught up in the excitement of the moment, and a few other things.” With that, he popped the remaining bit of food in his mouth and left.

  Oh, he was just… confusing? No. Arrogant? Not that either, well, maybe a little, but he generally could back his arrogance up. No, the man was damnably intriguing. Bother. She didn’t want to be intrigued. She wanted to have him say that yes, of course, he’d continue working with her, and then maybe give her a kiss. And while she was wishing, she might like a flying pony too. Better to find Katie and see about a real horse.

  James rushed through the doors of the hall more determined than ever to win the prize and find a way to allow him to work out of the shadows with Minerva. The first obstacle he ran into was George.

  “Hello there! Where are you off to in such a hurry? I was hoping to show you something.”

  “Can’t talk now. I have to find Duckworth.”

  “Well then, I’ll walk with you. What do you need to find the old man for?”

  “I just… Truth be told, I want to talk to him about admitting women to the Society.”

  “You are serious about that then? I know you said she was your fiancée, but to admit her to the Society? That seems beyond the pale.”

  “You wouldn’t want your girl to be able to join?”

  “By God no!”

  “But why not?”

  “Because… it just isn’t right. And this is a refuge from them.”

  “By them you mean women?”

  “Of course. Can you imagine it? If we let them in, how long before they take over? And once they take over, they’ll be their typical managing selves. They’ll make all kinds of new rules. They’ll want to dictate how we speak and act, even what we can research. I doubt they would give us credit for a single thing.”

  “You’re mad. If you truly feel that way, then why marry?”

  “Well, a man could go broke, not to mention end up diseased, trading in nothing but light-skirts.”

  James stopped and stared at the man. He had thought George intelligent. When he’d spoken with him yesterday, he’d thought him perhaps even progressive. Not that that had seemed to matter much before yesterday. But now, hearing him speak, he wanted nothing more than to plant the man a facer. His fists clenched, ready for a fight. “You, sir, are a horse’s arse and deserve a harpy of a wife.”

  George paled visibly beside him, then pulled him off to the side. “See here, I was just… Well, isn’t that what I was supposed to say? Do you think Duckworth will actually agree to letting girls in?”

  “I hope so. That girl deserves it. Did you truly mean those things you said?”

  “Well, my girl is managing.” Then the man laughed. “Of course, with me, that’s probably for the best. Tend to let my thoughts, and sometimes my whole self, wander. Your girl is really interested in what you do?”

  “Very. Yours isn’t?”

  “Only in that I make enough money to keep her well fed and in pretty dresses. Though I do have to say, she is much better at some of the politics than I am.”

  “I don’t think this girl will be any better at those than I am.”

  “You mean your girl?”

  “Yes, yes of course.”

  “Aha, I see Duckworth.” The man fairly dragged him to the older gentleman and then seemed to want to hide once he’d got there.

  Duckworth nodded at them as they approached. “Lathrop, my boy, what are you doing here so early? I would’ve thought you would take the day to see the sights with that pretty girl of yours. And you, sir, I don’t believe I’ve had the pleasure.” George’s eyes went round. James stepped in to make the introductions.

  “Duckworth, may I present George Bucknam. George, Sir Dempster Duckworth.” George made a little half bow to the older man, but truthfully, it looked as though his knees might’ve given out.

  “P–pleasure’s mine, sir,” George finally managed.

  “Easy there, boy, my days of biting the heads off junior fellows are over.” George’s whole body seemed to sigh as he relaxed. Then Duckworth continued, “I just don’t have the teeth for it anymore.” Duckworth clicked his teeth together several times, and James laughed as George went pale again. “Oh relax, boy. You can’t be too bad if you’re hanging out with this one.” With that he slapped James on the back and smiled at the two of them.

  “Sir, I was hoping to talk to you. It’s a matter of some delicacy.” James cleared his throat, unsure of how to begin.

  “Well, spit it out. We’re all friends here.”

  “You see, it is about the girl from yesterday. She is very bright and very interested in agronomy and the type of work we do.”

  “Yes, yes, it’s all very good to have the wife in on it. Makes it so much easier to explain when you’re hours late for dinner or have to skip out early on a party.”

  “You see, sir, she did more than help. She collaborated, like a colleague.” James swallowed hard around the lump in his throat. “I’d like to see her as a member of the Society.” There, he’d gotten it out. He didn’t have to tell Duckworth that in truth Minerva was already a member, not that they’d ever find out.

  Duckworth tucked his thumbs into his waistcoat pockets and chewed his lip in thought. James could feel sweat run down
the center of his back, and he was sure that George had stopped breathing.

  “So it’s like that is it? Found a girl you think is smarter than you?” The man smiled broadly as one of his white bushy eyebrows climbed his forehead. “It’s an interesting thought. I don’t know that we could open up the Society to all women. But we might be able to make an exception for the spouses of members. Strictly as an observer, you understand? Do you think that would do for her? I don’t see the ruling body going for more than that. What do you think, young man?”

  George gulped audibly. “Well, as I told Mr. Lathrop earlier…” James felt his hands balling into fists again. If George brought up that twaddle about women being managing, he didn’t know if he could control himself. “As a junior man, still looking for a job, I wouldn’t feel right competing against them. But if they were just here to observe, that shouldn’t cause any harm.” James let out the breath he’d been holding and shook out the tension in his grip.

  Duckworth slapped George on the back now and smiled at James. “Always good to keep up with the times. Can’t let these young men have all the fun. You know, perhaps my wife would like to join too. I’ll bring it to the governing board,. Was on my way there now as it is. Had thought the meeting would be terrifyingly dull, but this should liven things up nicely.” James could only shake his head. The man must have been impossible in his younger days. “You’re here about that conference prize, no doubt. I wish you well. Shame some of the others are so shortsighted. Evidently, none of them have daughters. I’ll find you after the board meeting and let you know how it goes. Bet you’ll get quite a thank you for that wedding present!” The man walked away, laughing to himself, and James’ stomach sunk.

  They weren’t married. Well, they were, but she didn’t know that. And besides, Minerva had no interest in being married. Though if he couldn’t tempt her before with doing what was called for, for the sake of propriety, maybe knowing that she could become at least an observing member if they were married…