October 1811

Before Mina would grace the house party at Lord McIntyre's imposing residence, she deemed it necessary to pay her respects with a visit to her sister's abode and engage in discourse with Evie concerning the potential secret the Langdons might be harbouring. In the two days that transpired since the last soiree, Mina endeavoured to glean some insight from both Polly and Royston.

"Pray, Polly, may I inquire about certain matters?" she delicately asked, lifting her gaze from the current novel she held in her hands. Lady Langdon was in the midst of concluding one of her numerous letters, which she diligently dispatched to friends and acquaintances back in Dover.

They were seated in the drawing room, the air heavy with the scent of sealing wax as Lady Langdon prepared to seal the missives. Roy, as was his habit, conveniently confined himself within his study, providing an opportune moment for Mina to broach a topic that seemed to weigh heavily on her conscience.

"Certainly, ask away, dear Mina," Polly replied, holding a container of wax above the flame of a candle, ready to be heated for sealing the missives – some to be tucked into envelopes, and others already crafted to fold into an envelope of their own design.

"You see, um, I find myself at a loss," the young woman stammered, uncertain of how to articulate her thoughts. "I confess, I have no recollection of you, your son, or even your late husband from my youth," she finally admitted. "Yet, you and your son appear amiable," she added quickly.

Mina considered, If he maintains his distance and keeps his hands to himself, and observed Polly, allowing a smirk to grace her countenance. She poured wax onto the first missive in her rather long queue.

"Do you truly not recall the times at your abode at St. Helens, dear Mina? It was usually the month of May or June, depending on your father's disposition, when our family would travel all the way from Dover to the isle. I happened to see you for the first time when you were this little," Polly briefly indicated the approximate size of a babe, demonstrating the memory, before sealing the envelope with a stamp.

Mina's brows furrowed. "Nay, I do not, dear Polly. It must have been a rare occasion, occurring when I was truly a babe. I doubt infants remember such things... or people."

Polly sighed wearily as she reached for another missive to be sealed. "The last occasion we crossed paths, my dear, you were but six or seven, and Roy, nearing the age of ten."

"And may I inquire as to why our families ceased to meet?" Mina seized the moment, detecting a slip in Lady Langdon's composed demeanour.

Polly regarded her with a smile, though it failed to fully reach her eyes. "I'm afraid life unfolded, dear Mina. You may recall my husband's untimely demise, I presume? Following that, visitations dwindled, for your father, too, grappled with the sorrow of losing your mother."

Lady Langdon returned to her task, and though Mina sensed an urge to delve further, propriety restrained her. It wouldn't be wise to pry into Polly's sentiments regarding her late husband. Nevertheless, the astute woman seemed to strategically employ the mention of their losses to curtail the conversation. Still, it left Mina with contemplations, arming her for potential confrontations with Royston as well.

She rapped lightly on the door to his study, waiting until his voice granted her entrance. This time, Mina left nothing to chance, determined to preclude any... advances. She purposefully left the door ajar, a fact he immediately observed.

"Leaving the door ajar already, dear Mina? It wounds me profoundly that you would anticipate me behaving so... untoward towards you," he remarked with ironic charm, a devilish smirk playing on his lips as he peered over his spectacles, engrossed in plans for the renovations.

Despite the chill that grazed her spine, she maintained a composed smile and replied, "It's best not to tempt fate, don't you think? Now, I'm here to inquire about something. Something you may not recall, but you see, I must ask nonetheless. I made a vow to you, after all."

His brow arched as he regarded her from head to toe, his gaze momentarily lingering on her bosom, causing an involuntary flush to creep upon her cheeks. "A vow to me? I recall more of threats, a pinecone, and the like, but a vow? I dare say I don't remember such a thing."

"Well, perhaps not directed explicitly at you, but I did make a vow to inquire about whatever I please. Therefore, I am now compelled to delve into the fallout of the communications and meetings at St Helens between our families. What transpired that led to years of absence between us and your kin?"

Mina observed the tension in the muscles of his face as she spoke. "I'm not willing to discuss it with you," he responded sternly. "And your conclusions are sorely misguided."

"It appears I've touched upon a sensitive matter, Royston. Pray, what dire secret is it that you hold so fiercely, evoking such aversion to discussion?" she provocatively inquired, drawing near to his desk. "Do you take me for a fool, Langdon? I must inform you—I possess a keen astuteness and determination that could outshine even the shrewdest of politicians."

"And I have admonished you before, Miss Haswell, that it is highly improper to address me solely by my surname," Roy replied sharply, rising abruptly and catching Mina off guard.

He crossed the room to close the door, leaving her with a dry throat. Turning back to her, a sly smile played upon his lips. "You were given a clear warning during your last visit to my study, were you not, Mina? It appears the lessons in restraint were not as effective as one would hope. You must understand that every action elicits a reaction."

Advancing deliberately, he set his spectacles firmly on his desk. Capitalizing on the moment, Mina briskly moved toward the doors, only to find her progress impeded by two resolute hands enclosing her sides. The subsequent act of pinning her against the wall left her breathless and thoroughly disconcerted.

"Ah, Miss Mina Haswell, I don't know how else to impress upon you that playing with fire is ill-advised if you don't intend to be burnt. I am not a delicate porcelain – should you persist in pressing upon me, I won't shatter. On the contrary – I may press upon you and your sensibilities."

She gulped but chose not to yield this time. "You're merely attempting to intimidate me, Langdon, but I see through your façade – your words are mere bluster, for you wouldn't risk transgressing against me. Not when it would incur your mother's wrath."

Mina's spirited words only elicited a chuckle from him. Roy leaned in, whispering into her ear, "Ah, but trust me – once I'd be done with you, my mother would be the last person on earth you'd confide in."

The mere graze of his lips against her neck sent a profound shiver down Mina's spine. It resembled a delicate zephyr, a gentle whisper of skin upon skin, yet she couldn't help but emit a sigh, momentarily losing her breath. Her hands instinctively rose to clasp his arms, perhaps a pre-emptive measure to prevent herself from swooning, yet the fingers that dug into his form only emboldened him further. Royston now pressed his lips fervently against her neck, trailing kisses down to her clavicle with unrestrained passion.

Good Lord, she could even feel the gentle exploration of his tongue!

After what felt like an eternity to Mina, he released her from his embrace, regarding her profoundly flushed countenance with a devilish smirk.

"This is my final admonition," he declared sternly. "I will not tolerate any further provocation from you."

She swallowed nervously but defiantly shook her head. "You're merely attempting to deceive me, you villain, nothing more. Indeed, using my innocence and virtue against me – but that shall not dissuade me from unveiling your secret, whatever it may be!"

He took a deep breath, yet the smirk persisted on his countenance as he regarded her with his intense, stormy blue eyes. "I can only hope you maintain your resolve even after I escort you to my chamber, divest you of your gown..."

Royston couldn't finish his sentence as she promptly left his study, nearly running.

"...and curse me, why am I getting entangled in this," he muttered solemnly, shook his head, and returned to his duties.

Mina entered her bedchamber and closed the door behind her, leaning against it before gradually lowering herself to the floor. That audacious man was growing more assertive with each encounter, and for what purpose? Nothing could deter her pursuit of truth, neither his threats nor his mother's machinations.

Looking up at the intricately patterned ceiling, she contemplated, Dear God, it is I, your humble but sinful servant. Why do you test me at every turn? Why send that man to intersect my path? Why shake my trust in those around me? Have I not endured enough?

Yet, the Almighty remained silent in response to her introspection. She sighed, resigned, and prepared herself for a visit to her sister's residence. As her maid assisted her into her gown, she couldn't ignore the lingering sensation on her neck from Roy's touch. Whether she wished to acknowledge it or not, it stirred something deep within the recesses of her being.

Mina's heart warmed at the sight of her sister, Evie, who had a remarkable ability to dispel the shadows that sometimes lingered over her mind. Unless, of course, Evie wasn't shedding tears solely for her own troubles and sought Mina's comfort and guidance. Yet, Mina's joy waned when she learned that Eleanor Whitcombe had also chosen that day for a visit, rendering any discussion of Langdon family secrets impossible.

"Dear Mina, what a delight to see you," exclaimed their young friend. "I've been pondering all afternoon whether you might finally grace Duke Eldridge's house party."

Mina's smile diminished as she replied, "Regrettably, I shall attend the duke's gathering for the sake of Lord Langdon and his dear mother."

"Why the reluctance?" Eleanor inquired promptly. "Do you realize how many eligible suitors will be in attendance? This is the moment, Mina, the opportunity we discussed not long ago regarding matrimony. I am confident that you shall encounter someone of great promise there," she added with spirited enthusiasm, partaking in the tea and biscuits offered.

Evie restrained the inclination to jest with her elder sister, observing the subtle furrowing of her brows.

"Pray, do tell, dear Eleanor, are you gracing that house party with your presence as well?" Mina inquired of the young miss, who responded with a resolute nod.

"Oh, indeed I am! I intend to acquaint myself with a few gentlemen, and, hopefully, I may not offend you nor cross any boundaries here, dear Mina, for I am particularly eager to become better acquainted with Lord Langdon."

Mina's brows furrowed even more deeply, then released as she regarded her friend with astonishment. Her lips parted, then pursed, and parted anew, as if the usually loquacious miss was momentarily rendered speechless. Witnessing this, Evie gently bit her lower lip to stifle a burgeoning laughter.

"But... but you conveyed to me that you found him rather an unfriendly gentleman, Eleanor," Mina stammered, "what has altered your opinion of the man? Surely not his uncultivated language?"

Eleanor gazed into the distance, a contemplative expression on her countenance. "I'm not certain, but perhaps it's his demeanour, the way he wields words with such cutting precision at times. It renders him more intriguing, you see? I am tempted to acquaint myself with him further, for he is not as superficial as most gentlemen."

Mina regarded her friend with astonishment, attempting to suppress her awareness of the intricate game Royston was orchestrating. Meanwhile, Evie leaned in and whispered, "My dear sister, you're positively verdant with envy right now."

"Hush, that's not true!" the elder of the two retorted in a lowered voice, coughing discreetly. "Why are we being so reserved, as always? Don't you have some fine wine you wished us to savour, sister?"

Evie couldn't suppress her smirk but acquiesced to her sister's request and summoned a bottle of red wine.

"I discern how you gaze upon the young Westhaven, Mina," said Eleanor, once they indulged in a glass of wine, the servant standing ready with another. "To my knowledge, he shall grace Eldridge's house party too."

Mina's brow furrowed once more, realizing she hadn't given the Earl much thought until that moment. "Well, Eleanor, if you must know, I may indeed find him intriguing. Pray, why the inquiry? Are you perhaps interested in him too?"

Elenor momentarily cast down her eyes, a subtle gesture not lost on Mina, before responding, "No, not at all. I maintain amicable relations with the Earl, but sentiments of regard have never found a place in my heart for him."

Mina narrowed her eyes, sensing a certain lack of candour in her charming friend. "And why is that, dear Elenor? Might there be a trace of reservation toward the gentleman?"

The young lady took a hearty sip from her cup before replying, "Good heavens, Mina, I bear no ill will towards the man, nor do I concern myself with his romantic endeavours. Indeed, you can be quite persistent at times!"

"Ladies, let us not engage in discourse over the matters of men," interjected Evie, perceptive to the escalating tension between her friends. "I am delighted that both of you will grace the upcoming house party, and I earnestly hope that you may encounter your prospective husbands there, whether they be Westhaven and Langdon, or other fine gentlemen."

Mina drew a deep breath, gracefully concluding the contents of her glass. The remainder of her visit transpired in a more convivial manner, so much so that as she disembarked from the carriage, her posture threatened to waver. Unluckily, or perhaps serendipitously in the grander scheme, Royston was making his way toward the house after overseeing the arrival of materials for the ongoing renovations. His brows gently furrowed as he observed Mina taking one of the necessary steps toward the entrance.

"Is aught amiss, Miss Haswell?" he inquired, his tone laced with concern.

"Naaay," she replied, her balance nearly forsaking her. Nonetheless, she managed to maintain her composure, returning a smiling gaze to Royston.

He scoffed, incredulity evident in his expression. "Good grief, are you inebriated?!" Royston exclaimed in sheer astonishment.

Mina lifted a long finger towards the approaching lord. "I-I'm blessed," she pronounced the word, eliciting a chuckle from him.

"Aye, I'm inclined to trust you on that one," he replied, hastening toward her as she teetered on the verge of losing balance. With swift reflexes, he caught her just in time, preventing her from meeting the ground.

He sighed under the burden of her weight, holding her securely against his chest. Their gazes locked, and her charming lips parted as she spoke, "It appears you find great enjoyment in physical contact when it concerns my well-being, Lord Langdon. Might you entertain the notion of rekindling that memorable moment by touching my tits once more?"

His brows furrowed deeply, a bead of perspiration forming.