Page 42 of To Wager with Love

“Jasper!”

Jasper turned as his brother hailed him, having come across a man they appeared to both know.

“Good heavens, it’s Rothborn,” Jasper exclaimed in surprise.

“Solo Rothborn?” Matilda enquired, looking over at the man with interest.

Minerva followed her gaze but could see nothing but the back of the man’s head. He was tall and broad shouldered with light brown hair, but nothing more of note.

“Who is he?” she asked, curious why it was such a surprise.

“Solomon Weston, Baron Rothborn,” Matilda said as Jasper excused himself to speak with his friend. “He’s a recluse, hardly ever seen in public. That’s why everyone calls him ‘Solo’ Rothborn.”

Minerva turned back to Harriet who was eyeing the bookshop two doors down with a longing expression. “Shall we go in?” Minerva asked, hopes fluttering.

Harriet flashed her a grateful smile. “Why not?”

Minerva held her breath all the way around the bookshop, which was sadly devoid of any evidence of her quarry. Harriet had settled in a corner with some formidably sized text book that made Minerva’s head hurt to even contemplate, so she wandered the aisles alone. She smiled, delighted to discover copies of Prue’s book, lovingly bound in scarlet leather, and spent a while browsing the novels before returning to Harriet, who was still ensconced with her tome.

“I… I think I’ll wait outside,” she offered, to which Harriet lifted a hand, not looking up. Minerva gave a rueful smile and went back outside. She found Lord St Clair heading towards her as she exited.

“Have you seen Miss Stanhope?” he asked as he drew closer. “I’ve been looking everywhere.”

“Yes, with her nose in a book,” Minerva laughed, gesturing behind her.

Jasper smiled, and Minerva’s breath caught at the look in his eyes. “I thought as much,” he said ruefully, before hurrying inside.

Lucky Harriet, Minerva thought with a sigh. How might it feel to have such a man so in love with you? Harriet was a fool if she didn’t snatch him up. Minerva turned back towards the shop Matilda and the others had gone into, wondering if they’d be anywhere near finished yet, and then paused as she saw the face she’d been searching for.

“Mr de Beauvoir!”

Minerva’s breath caught as she realised what an outrageous thing she’d just done. She’d never been properly introduced to him and here she was in the street, to all intents and purposes alone, and hailing a man she hardly knew.

The man stopped, his dark brows drawing together as he looked at her without the slightest trace of recognition.

“I’m afraid you have me at a disadvantage, Miss…?”

“Butler,” Minerva said at once, feeling her cheeks heat with embarrassment. “We met in the book shop. The one over there,” she added, gesturing to it as his expression showed no sign of his remembering her. How humiliating. It wasn’t like it had happened weeks ago! “The fellow shouted at me when he dropped his books, and you very kindly defended me and told him it was an… accident,” she trailed off, feeling increasingly mortified.

De Beauvoir grunted, which Minerva took to be a sign he’d finally placed her.

“I did not realise I was speaking to such a celebrity,” she added, forcing a sunny smile, desperate to find something to say to him. “I understand your talks at The Royal Academy are highly thought of.”

“You are interested in chemistry, Miss Butler?” he asked, looking a little sceptical.

“I… I don’t know,” Minerva admitted. “I have this though,” she added hurriedly, fishing in her reticule for the book which was weighing it down. Harriet had given her a funny look when she’d stuffed it in her bag—it wasn’t exactly light reading, after all—but she’d hoped… well, for a scenario like this one. She showed him the cover and his eyebrows went up in surprise.

“Indeed,” he said with approval. “I know the lady who wrote it. You could not do better for an introduction to the subject. How are you finding it?”

“Oh,” Minerva said, feeling colour rise to her cheeks. “I only got it this morning, so I… I’ve not….”

“Well, I’m sure you’ll find it illuminating. Now, if you would….”

Damn, he was going already.

“Oh, are you here to buy more books?” she asked, wondering why she was prolonging this agony when he couldn’t wait to be rid of her.

“Er… no, not this morning. I—”