Earl of Persuasion by Amanda Mariel

Author:Amanda Mariel [Mariel, Amanda]
Language: eng
Format: epub

Chapter 6

Four days latter…

Thick clouds gathered in the distance as Minerva stood beside Mother at the Duchess’s garden party. The event had turned out most of the ton, but she’d yet to find Brian. She’d done little else but think about him and their adventures for the past four days. Today, she was full of anticipation.

Mother had noted Minerva’s change in mood and appearance, commenting that Minerva was positively glowing and in a rather jovial mood of late. Carstine had held her tongue but exchanged a knowing glance with Minerva. Even Blake had raised a curious brow on more than one occasion.

Of course, Minerva could have told them all that she had met someone. However, doing so would be premature. Brian had not actually proposed to her. Nor was he officially courting her. Her heart squeezed at the thought. Somewhere along the way, she had stopped thinking of him as her adventure and now dreamed of a future with Brian.

Ninny! Minerva shook her head. He was the Earl of Persuasion. A proud member of the Wicked Earls’ Club and renowned for being a rake. She doubted marriage had even crossed his mind, and she would do well to remember it.

She glanced into the distance and her pulse sped.

Her gaze found Brian’s. He was leaning against a tree at the edge of the Duchess’s refreshment table. He saw her too, for their gazes locked, but he made no move to come to her. No gesture calling her to him, either. He simply stared.

Minerva hazarded a smile, her heart skipping when he returned the gesture. “I am rather parched. Might I go to the refreshment table, Mother?”

“Of course, and there is Lady Houghton, I should go to her.” Mother waved Minerva off.

Minerva fought the urge to hike up her skirts and run toward Brian. Instead, she took practiced steps; her gaze ever on him. Heart pounding the whole way.

Today would not be a day of adventure, for what adventure could be had at the Duchess’s garden party, but just to be near him was adventure enough for her.

When she reached the refreshment table, she paused and looked back toward Mother. Satisfied that her parent was not watching her, Minerva circled around the table, then went to Brian.

“You are as lovely as ever,” he drawled as he captured her hand and pressed a kiss to her knuckles.

“And you are a perpetual flirt.” Minerva gave him her brightest smile.

Brian tucked her hand through his elbow and said, “You love it.”

Her heart soared at the mere mention of the word love on his lips. Surely she was a fool, but she did not care. Never had she felt so free, so alive, so much in control of her life as she did when she was at his side.

“I hope you did not get in too much trouble the other day,” he said, curiosity mixed with genuine care shone in his eyes.

Minerva shook her head. “None at all. I convinced my groom that his oversight was an accident and there was no need to tell my family about it.

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