“What I meant was, my friend is extremely trustworthy, but not all ladies would be comfortable being left alone with him.”
“She is hardly alone.” She grinned. It was quick and sudden and ended before it started.
But the sight turned his entire world upside down.
Chapter 6
It was decided, Minerva thought, as she shoved down a ridiculous urge to laugh. This man was the oddest creature she’d ever encountered.
And the most interesting, a voice unhelpfully pointed out.
She shifted her weight and cast a quick glance over at Abigail, who was smiling beatifically at the poor scowling man who looked as though nothing in life had prepared him for the impossible kindness that was Abigail Jones.
“Abigail will be just fine,” she said. “It is your friend I’m worried about.”
Mr. Haversaw’s brows shot sky high but she did not give him a chance to answer.
“I was hoping to run into you here.”
“Is that so?” His lips curved up in a lopsided grin that made her think that he was far too conceited. And that perhaps she ought to have broken her fast this morning after all. It would certainly not do at all if she were to swoon.
“So you were not just in the neighborhood then,” he said, a smirk teasing his lips as he meaningfully looked around at the gentlemen who made up the clientele of this particular establishment.
She bit her lip. Her father would not be overjoyed to find she had come here alone. Well, with Abigail, but even so...
Her pirate—no, not her anything. He was merely Mr. Haversaw, whoever that might be. But the man in question arched a brow as if he knew what she was thinking as he followed her gaze to the room behind them. “Are you certain you should be here...with me?”
She let out a little snort of amusement. “Really, Mr. Haversaw. You attacked my person while we were alone together in a cave and now you worry about propriety and my reputation?”
He had the good grace to wince with regret. “I am sorry for what happened the other night,” he started.
She held up a hand. She could tell all the proper words were coming and she had no time for them. “Apologies are all well and good, Mr. Haversaw, but that is not what I am here for.”
“You’re not,” he said.
“No, sir. I am here for something far more valuable.” She paused to take a deep breath and added a bit of a dramatic pause quite by accident. “An explanation.”
He blinked once as if the word were foreign. “An explanation?”
“Yes. That is correct. I believe that you owe me an explanation.”
Something shifted behind his eyes. She couldn’t say what, but she saw it clear as day. “Well, as I told your father—”
“Oh no, you mistake my meaning,” she interrupted. For this would not do. “I do not wish to hear the story you told my father. You see...” She held his gaze evenly. “I prefer the truth.”
He hesitated but he did not blink or try to shift his gaze away. If anything, his gaze grew more intense, his scrutiny so fierce she felt as though some outer layer was being stripped away so she was left bare before him.
Silly nonsense, obviously. She was fully clothed and her skin was intact, and she refused to cower before him. If she hadn’t cowered when she’d thought him to be some ruthless, depraved pirate, she certainly would not lose her courage when she knew him to be a fake.
“There is only one type of man I have no patience for, Mr. Haversaw,” she said in a low tone that only he could hear. “And that is a man who pretends to be something or someone that he is not.”
“Really,” he said slowly. “You think that is the lowest a man can sink, do you?” Wicked laughter flashed in his eyes. “Perhaps you ought to meet more men.”
She scowled. “Are you mocking me?”
His smile was so genuine that she nearly doubted herself for doubting him. “Only a little,” he said with a wink that made her stiffen.
“Are you...” She leaned in a little and lowered her voice to a whisper. “Are you flirting with me?”
His smile widened, but she did not get the sense he was laughing at her, thank heavens. That would have been more than her pride could bear. As it was, she was mortified that she’d even asked it. Of course he wasn’t flirting. She was hardly some belle of the ball, or a great beauty like Abigail.
“I wouldn’t dream of it,” he said, but his eyes flashed with mischief.
Her brows drew down. “Now you are teasing.”
“Yes,” he said. “But only a little.”
She frowned as she tried to make sense of that. Make sense of him. What was he about? All mysterious and false one moment and then genuine and teasing the next. It was enough to make her head spin.
Ah, but of course. That was exactly what he intended, no doubt. She narrowed her eyes. “Do not think you can distract me, Mr. Haversaw.” She jabbed a finger in his direction. “If that is your real name.”
His eyes widened, only for a second but long enough for her to feel a surge of satisfaction for having gained the upper hand.
Just as quickly, however, he donned a small smile and adopted a smug air that did not suit him. His tone was positively condescending when he reached for her elbow and made as if to steer her toward the door. “What would your father think of you being in an establishment like this?”
She tore her arm away. “What my father thinks is none of your concern.”
“This is no place for such a delicate young lady.”
She narrowed her eyes as the laughter that danced in his eyes when he’d said ‘delicate.’ No doubt he was remembering the way she’d fought him in the cave. She pressed her lips together. If only she’d won.
It was decided. From here on out she would redouble her
