Page 52 of Falling Into Bed with a Duke
“Because I instructed him to bring me to the address that you’d given him. My vow remained intact.”
The door opened.
“I see you’re as clever with your mind as you are with your fingers.” As she stepped out, his laughter followed her, making her smile. Halfway up the steps, she removed the mask. As she neared the door, she was so tempted to look back, but she knew he was watching, could feel his gaze on her as clearly as though it was a caress. She almost returned to him.
Instead, she carried on through the opened door, knowing that after tonight, everything would change.
Chapter 12
MINERVA awoke slightly sore but not as much as she’d expected. Because Ashe had taken his time to prepare her for receiving him. He’d been a considerate lover, perfect for a woman experiencing her first time with a man. What she’d thought would be her only time. But now she knew the foolishness of that belief. Why give up pleasure when she enjoyed experiencing it?
However, she wanted to be wise about it. And she certainly didn’t want to continue to worry about his realizing who she was. It was one thing to wear the mask in the Nightingale parlor. But when they were alone in a bedchamber, she needed to find the courage to toss it aside. Once he knew who she was, they could meet at his residence as he’d suggested. She’d never planned for the Nightingale Club to become part of her life. She had merely wanted it to serve as an introduction to pleasure.
It had certainly done that. With a smile, she rang for her maid.
She needed to determine how she was going to handle matters from here on out and to devise the best way to tell him who she was. Obviously, he’d enjoyed being with her. She’d not been a disappointment, which made her feel all warm and giddy, lost in the memories of him. If she were honest, she might have fallen just a little bit in love with him.
Just as he’d advised her that first night. Be a little bit in love with the person.
She wondered if it was possible that last night he’d fallen a little bit in love with Lady V. The giddiness dissipated, the disappointment settled in. She wanted him to fall a little bit in love with Minerva Dodger.
She was leading two lives, and if they should ever come crashing together, nothing would save her. Not her father’s money, her family’s position, her half brother’s standing in Society. Her greatest fear was that she would simply drag them all into the gutter with her.
ASHE was no stranger to balls, but he’d never attended one searching for a wife. He came to flirt, to give attention, to gain attention, to have a jolly good time. A dance here, a game of cards or billiards there, a visit with a few gents, conversation about inconsequential things with many ladies—young, aged, and in between.
As one of the hellions, he was catered to. People were fascinated by their past, their travels, their adventures. As soon as they were announced and descended the stairs into the Lovingdon ballroom, he and Edward were unlikely to have any time alone. So while others were introduced, they stood slightly off to the side, looking out over London’s finest.
Although Miss Dodger had told him that she wasn’t going to be at many balls this Season, Ashe was fairly certain that she would be at this one. Her close friendship with the Duchess of Lovingdon would ensure it.
“If you never want to worry about your finances again, you should marry the Dodger girl,” Edward said quietly enough that no one else would hear.
The comment irritated. Perhaps because Ashe could still feel the press of her against his mouth, could still feel her quivering in his arms. “Do you even know her name?”
“What does it matter? I know the amount of her dowry. It’s substantial. Well worth overlooking her imperfections.”
“And what would those be exactly?”
Edward gave him a sharp look, no doubt because his question had come out closely resembling a snarl.
“A father who would kill you slowly and painfully without compunction at the mere whisper of her unhappiness. Plus she’s not particularly demure, has a tendency to speak her mind, and discusses subjects that should remain a man’s domain.”
Something that felt very much like jealousy pierced his chest. “When did you speak with her?”
“Oh here and there, over the years. At Julia’s little party the other night. Had the audacity to question the veracity of my tale.”
“Can hardly blame her. You embellished it.”
“The story overall was true. The details may have skirted the edge of what actually happened. Still, it was rather rude of her to imply I was a liar.”
“She is forthright.”
“She is that. Did you know she wrote a book?A Lady’s Guide to Ferreting Out Fortune Hunters.Has made it deuced impossible for a man to court a woman without putting in a great deal of effort, from what I understand. I’ve heard a good many gents complain about it. You should probably read it. On the other hand, if I were you, I’d steer clear of her. She’d deduce your motives in a blink. Far too sharp to make a good wife. Besides, she’s not the prettiest fish in the pond. Although I suppose in the dark, what would it matter?”
It was only because his hand was beginning to ache that Ashe realized sometime during this conversation, he’d balled his hand into a fist. He very much wanted to smash it against Edward’s nose. “There are times, Edward, when you’re an arse.”
“Now you sound like my sister-in-law. Speaking of which, there she is. Dear God, I suppose I’ll have to dance with her, just to be polite and not give the impression that I wish she would drop off the face of the earth.”
“She’s pleasant enough. I don’t understand why you don’t like her.”
