Snowflakes and Scandals

Chapter 3

Chapter 3

During Frederick’s absence from the party last night, Humphrey Chase had gained the upper hand with the widow Franks. When Frederick returned downstairs, he’d found them talking by the pianoforte and looking very cozy indeed. He’d discreetly backed from the room and retired for the night, determined not to get in a friend’s way.

But apparently nothing more than that small moment of flirtation appeared to have occurred between the pair after he’d gone to bed.

His valet, who had heard about the wager from Humphrey Chase’s man, had reported that the widow retired early as well, and fool that Chase was, he had not followed Mrs. Franks to her door. Chase had finished off the bowl of spiked punch with their friends and had to be carried to bed by the servants.

He was nowhere to be found so far this morning, too. Probably nursing a sore head.

That left the way clear for Mrs. Franks to call out for his attention the minute Frederick strode into the dining room to take a late breakfast.

“Good morning, sir,” she gushed, waving from her seat.

He bowed. “Mrs. Franks. Ladies and gentlemen. Good morning to you all.”

Although she patted the seat by her side, Frederick claimed the seat he was shown to by the footman serving those still at breakfast. He had always found that flirtations were always better carried out when he wasn’t filling his mouth with ham and eggs.

And after last night’s rather intimate adventure with Minerva Chase, he’d awoken utterly famished.

He spoke to several of his friends about their plans for the day, but made no firm decision to join them or the widow, despite her subtle hints and come-hither glances. He was determined to make Humphrey Chase jealous, so he would make it seem as if he was trying to win the widow and the wager only when the other man was around.

But first, he had to eat then find their host, to learn what had gone wrong last night.

As he waited for a servant to attend him, he felt the full weight of Mrs. Franks’ interest from her spot across the table. She sat forward, shifting her shoulders in a way that drew the eye whenever she caught his attention and revealed just a hint of the delights hidden beneath her bodice.

A smirk lifted her lip as she noticed the direction of his gaze, and she then picked up her cup and pursed her lips to blow across the surface to cool the liquid within.

That was a blatant invitation if he’d ever seen one.

And yet the widow was not for him to pursue anymore. He was now determined to advance Humphrey’s cause after last night’s disappointment. If Humphrey was in love and had honorable intentions toward Mrs. Franks, Frederick wanted to support him and keep their friendship intact.

A sudden draft made him shiver, and he turned as Minerva Chase sat down next to him, muttering a good morning.

No one else acknowledged her arrival, and he soon realized she was returning to the breakfast room rather than being newly arrived, like him. She opened the paper she had brought in with her and picked up her teacup. When she blew across the top of her tea, he acutely recalled that her lips had been so soft against his last night, and more than a little enthusiastic. Yet unlike the widow across the table, Minerva remained unaware that such actions made her lips look entirely too kissable.

Again.

It was a surprise to discover he was more affected by Minerva’s unthinking pouts than by the widow’s practiced flirtations.

Minerva Chase didn’t pay him any more attention, but he noticed everything about her today. She wore a simple navy round gown, buttoned up to her throat, and a thick shawl wrapped tight about her shoulders. With the morning sun streaming over her body, she seemed almost to glow from within.

She’d been on his mind since last night, and certainly not in a sisterly way. He’d enjoyed kissing her, and talking with her just as much.

Since he disliked being overlooked, and was incapable of ignoring pretty women, sisters of friends or not, he leaned close and tapped her elbow. “What’s the news of the world today?”

“The same strife as ever,” she promised, folding the paper closed. “Do you want to read it first?”

“No, I’ll happily let you read it all and then tell me what I’m supposed to know. Later.”

She looked at him with surprise, and then her face fell. “Oh, drat. She’s gone.”

He glanced around and saw the room had emptied of all the other occupants, including the eager widow, while he’d been talking with Minerva. “Alone again.”

“Yes. So I’d better call for a chaperone to save you from my irresistible feminine wiles,” she teased.

He laughed and put his hand out, stopping her from calling anyone. He didn’t mind that they were alone. The doors to the room were wide open, so there would be no scandal. Besides, Minnie had become interesting to him. “Read your paper.”

“I really should be going. There’s so much to do, and a reading is taking place in the library soon. Mr. Hudson has promised a rousing poetry recital of his latest work for everyone’s enjoyment.”

Frederick groaned and slouched in his chair. “I’ve heard Hudson’s poetry before, and if I were you, I’d have another cup of tea and avoid going altogether.”

She merely smiled at his suggestion. “The servants will want the room as soon as you’ve finished eating. You’re the last one to come down, sir.”

He leaned back in his chair and smiled. “Did you come back just to talk to me?”

She shook her head. “Oh, I come and go all morning long, but I’m usually the last to leave the breakfast table. I like to read with a few cups of tea in peace.”

“I’ll have to remember to control my tongue around you, then.”

She looked at him, and her attention dropped to his mouth. His breath caught, but then she snorted before quickly standing up. “I’d best attend to my duties.”

He leaned back on the legs of his chair, stretching for her hand to delay her going. He wanted her to stay. Speak to her and make her laugh. Not that gin-induced giggle but the soft, true laugh of hers. The one he longed for now.

Minerva narrowly avoided his hand and put hers behind her back. The action, though, merely highlighted the loveliness of her bust. He nearly groaned but managed to behave himself.

“What are those? Your duties today.”

“Overseeing my brother’s household so guests like yourself can fully enjoy your stay. There are beds to be remade, chamber pots to be emptied, and dusting to be done,” she said, ticking them off her fingers. “The list goes on and on.”

“Surely Chase doesn’t make you do work ?” he said, horrified at the thought of her making his bed…but then his mind turned to having her share it with him, and naked. He shook his head quickly to dispel that erotic image.

“Of course I do not work for my brother, but sometimes the women become distracted by the antics of handsome, flirting gentlemen guests.”

Did she think he was handsome? His grin widened as he beheld her blushing gaze. Yes, she did think he was handsome, and he was pleased by the discovery. “Well, this guest is enjoying distracting only one particular woman today,” he assured her.

Minerva shook her head and pointed toward the open doorway. “I think you’d enjoy distracting a certain widow during the recital far more.”

“You might be surprised by how wrong you are about that,” he teased back. Clearly, she had no idea about her brother’s interest in the widow. Nor that Frederick enjoyed flirting with Minerva, either. Despite the risk, despite her brother, he would rather speak with her a little longer.

But she left with another shake of her head and her soft laugh echoing in her wake, before he could confide in her about the devilishly clever scheme he’d decided upon only last night.

If Humphrey Chase wooed and won Mrs. Franks, he’d be far too busy to notice that Minerva had any suitor until it was far too late to drive them away.

Frederick settled the legs of his chair firmly on the ground and laughed as well. Minerva Chase was more fun to banter with than the widow probably would have been. As long as things did not go too far again with Minnie, there was no harm in a little discreet flirtation between them. He could be used as practice for when her next suitor came along.

He glanced around the dining room as a servant rushed into the room. “Coffee, sir?”

“No, tea, I think today.”

“Breakfast?”

“Whatever is easiest but plentiful.”

“Very good, sir. Miss Chase warned the cook you usually want a large breakfast of your favorite foods. I will return with a fresh plate just for you shortly.”

“Thank you,” he said, looking forward to a hearty repast even if he was entirely alone now. A pity Minerva had not stayed to keep him company.

He was astonished, though, that she knew his breakfast habits. But the house party appeared to be running very smoothly so far, and it was the small details—like remembering the preferences of guests—that made it a success or not.

He marveled at Humphrey’s luck at having such a competent sister to run his household. An unattached family member often made the best hostess for a bachelor, and in London, too. They were usually efficient and grateful to be given something to do, and especially for the added company.

But in this case, knowing that Humphrey had chased away Minerva’s former suitors, it seemed rather too convenient…and Frederick was left with a sour taste in his mouth the longer he thought about it.

He would like to believe his friend couldn’t be so selfish, but then, he’d never had a sister like Minnie, or any sister at all. Frederick only had older, dull, already married brothers—men too fond of delivering lectures about his tardiness or his latest scandalous entanglement.

After breakfast, snow began to fall, and Frederick reluctantly headed for the library but found the recital had been a very short one indeed. He was relieved. Everyone had adjourned, headed for the long hall, where they stood milling about, still talking to each other.

His friends were planning a spirited game of indoor croquet, since the weather outside had suddenly turned unsuitable for venturing out. Servants were circulating the room holding little silver trays of cake and champagne. Mrs. Franks was standing beside Mr. Moore, holding a glass to her lips.

Humphrey Chase was watching the pair with a sour and somewhat perplexed expression on his face. Dear God, if Chase kept this up, he’d be last in line to share the widow’s bed instead of first and only.

Frederick headed for Chase. “Good morning.”

The man grunted.

“That good, eh?”

“Do you see that?”

“See what?”

“That! Moore is cozying up to our widow.”

Frederick shrugged. “He can’t possibly win our wager.”

“But he could win her favor. I could not bear to lose her to anyone but you.”

Frederick scoffed and slapped his friend on the shoulder. Humphrey shouldn’t be able to bear to lose her even to Frederick, though. Not if he was seriously smitten with the woman. “There is no way the widow would choose Moore when she could have either one of us in her bed.”

“Then you’d better stake your claim, and fast.”

“So should you,” he urged, but Humphrey’s feet appeared stuck to the floor again. What would it take for the man to make his move? He sighed. “Well, I’m here now. I’ll come between them, never fear. Has there ever been a lady who’s rejected my advances? I want to win this wager as much as you do.”

“I’ll do my best,” Humphrey said grudgingly, but then spoiled it with his next words. “But you always win the lady you set your heart on.”

“My heart is never involved when I pursue a lady I want in my bed,” he reminded Chase.

He heard the crash of heavy objects falling and spun around, startled by the commotion.

Minerva Chase stood directly behind them, with croquet mallets and whatnots lying everywhere at her feet.

She gazed at him with a look of utter disgust. She must have heard every word he’d said about the wager and winning the widow’s favor. But he’d said it all to goad Humphrey into action.

He rushed to Minerva to help pick up everything. There was really too much for one person to carry. “Miss Chase, where are the servants to help you? You shouldn’t have been left carrying all this on your own.”

“M’sister doesn’t mind, do you, Minnie?” Humphrey claimed, not bending to help with the chaos. “Did you find my favorite mallet somewhere in there?”

Minerva dusted off her hands and then her skirts. “No, I’m afraid I did not. You’ll have to play your games without it.”

Frederick gathered as much as he could hold and then caught her gaze. “What do you want me to do with these now?”

She smiled coldly at him. “I’m sure you never need me to tell you what to do. Not in this particular game.”

“You don’t understand,” he said in an urgent whisper. He could tell she was deeply offended that he was wagering for the widow’s favor, but with her brother so close, he had no hope of explaining his plan fully.

Humphrey put a hand on her shoulder. “Sister, run up to my bed chambers. I think my mallet might be stuck behind one of the large bureaus. I want it before our games commence.”

“Of course, brother,” she said, casting Frederick a look that should have withered his privates. “I’ll go straight away and send a servant running back with it as soon as it’s found. Don’t wait for me to start.”

“No, of course not,” Humphrey murmured, turning away.

Frederick winced at Humphrey’s dismissal. “You are coming back, aren’t you?”

“No, best not to risk it.” She glanced around and smiled sweetly. “Who knows what damage I might do with a carelessly played shot or a wild swing of a mallet this morning?”

Frederick lowered the items he was holding in front of his groin. Not that she noticed. Her gaze had already drifted across the room and settled on the fair widow.

“She really is lovely. I can see why she’s worth fighting over.”

“It’s not like that,” he promised in a voice pitched as low as possible so Humphrey wouldn’t hear. “I can explain everything. Later.”

“There’s no need.” She shook herself, and another smile settled over her face. “You have arranged your adventures exactly to your liking many times in the past. Best of luck—and I hope you get what you deserve.”

Frederick groaned under his breath. He’d hurt her pride a second time…or was it a third? He was usually much better than this when it came to charming the fairer sex.

But there was a guaranteed way to make things right. He would bring her into his confidence, and when she understood his intentions, she would see the real game he played with her brother could only benefit her.