Page 14 of Wickeds Scandal
His longlegs, encased in leather riding breeches stretched out in front of him as heleaned against the window. The leather outlined his muscular thighs,clung to them in fact, a bit indecently. A blush stole up hercheeks again. She realized she was admiring him as one does a prizestallion. He caught her looking and raised an eyebrow. Alexandralowered her eyes. The man reallywasa conceited ass.
“MissDunforth was just telling us about her estate in Hampshire, HelmsbyAbbey. She’s quite the gentleman farmer, Sutton. You might learn athing or two from Miss Dunforth”, the Dowager boasted.
Alexandrasincerely doubted that Lord Reynolds gave a fig for managing an estate andnearly said so to the room. He likely had dozens of minions to do thatfor him. She wished she could march right over to him and tell him tostop looking at her with his beautiful accusatory eyes. Thankfully, atleast, he did not seem inclined to acknowledge their earlier meeting.
“Indeed?Are you familiar with animal husbandry as well, Miss Dunforth?” Lord Reynoldsdrawled the words. His gaze slid over her breasts, as if he werecontemplating a delicious roast at a banquet, and deciding which prime cut toslice off.
He is ahorrid, arrogant man.Aspurt of heat ran through her. Alexandra did not miss the innuendo,although thankfully it looked like Miranda had. She wasn’t sure about theDowager.
“I am, mylord.”
“I thoughtas much.” Lord Reynolds smirked. “You have that look about you – asagentlemanfarmer does.”
Rudeinsulting peacock.She knew she was plain, but she certainly didn’t look like aman!His glance at her breasts should be enough to disprove that! She wishedto leave before she marched over to him and gave him another set-down, thoughhe certainly deserved it. The parlor grew warmer.
“What elsehave you ladies been discussing today? Gowns I suspect and otherfripperies?”
“Cam, don’tgoad me.” Miranda looked as if she would throw a piece of the raisin cakeat him. “We are not like your Lady Fellowes. There’s a woman withnothing but vacant space between her ears. Her personality is that of apotted plant. A fern or some other dull shrub.”
“Miranda!”The Dowager flinched and sounded stern, but her eyes laughed.
LordReynolds shook his finger at his sister. “She is mostdefinitelynotmyLady Fellowes.” He didn’t appear chagrined with his sister in theleast. Clearly, he and Miranda were very close.
The Dowagerput one wrinkled hand to her forehead as if in pain. “I am thankful she isnot. There are enough plants in this house.”
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Sutton shothis grandmother an amused glance. He knew of her dislike for LadyFellowes. The Dowager made no secret of it. He narrowed his eyesand flicked an imaginary piece of lint off his sleeve as he surveyed thesumptuous Miss Dunforth. What in the world was she doing here? Thelovely ivory skin of her face and neck flushed a delightful shade of red.The opal eyes flashed at him in disapproval along with an oddvulnerability. If his grandmother and sister hadn’t been present, hewould ravish Miss Dunforth on the settee.
MissDunforth popped up in the most unlikely places. Hiding behind curtains inlibraries. His grandmother’s parlor. Oddly enough, he’d visited hisgrandmother today to ask if she knew Miss Dunforth. And low and beholdhere was the Badger. He told himself again that he was merely bored and thatMiss Dunforthintrigued him. Perhaps that was it, hethought with disdain as he looked at her severe coiffure. The chestnut curlswere sedately and unfortunately restrained. Not even a tendril wasattempting to escape. Pity. The gown she wore was of good qualitybut the colors muted and dull, almost as if she wished to fade into the shadowsof his grandmother’s parlor. Her back rigid, as if a fireplace poker,held her in place. How incredibly ladylike and prim was MissDunforth. He wanted to throw her skirts over her head and make her beg him totake her.
She lookedaway, unconsciously biting her luscious lower lip. A rebellious, tinycurl, almost as if it had heard his earlier thoughts, sprung from her coiffure.
Sutton shiftedslightly. His cock stood at full attention. The Badger’s appearancetoday reminded him that leather breeches were unforgiving. He treatedMiss Dunforth to a polite, interested smile.
“How longhave you been in London, Miss Dunforth?”
The Badger chokedas he addressed her directly. The opal eyes flashed at him inannoyance. He had the odd sensation she wished he would ignore hercompletely. Impossible.
“Afortnight only, my lord.”
“LadyDobson’s was the first social event Miss Dunforth has attended. Her uncleengaged Lady Dobson as Miss Dunforth’s sponsor,” Miranda piped in helpfully,plopping another piece of raisin cake into her mouth.
Suttonwatched Miss Dunforth’s reaction to his sister’s recitation. Her handstwisted in her lap and she studiously avoided his gaze.
So that washer cause of distress in Lord Dobson’s library. Her uncle launched herinto society and expected to find her a suitor. The look on her lovelyface told Sutton she was none too happy about it. A smart girl, one withambition would be screaming that the Marquess of Cambourne compromised herhonor at Lady Dobson’s. Her uncle should be here demanding marriage.Curious.
“Sutton?”His grandmother banged her cane on the floor in a demand for his attention
“Sorry,woolgathering. I was just wondering if Miss Dunforth’s uncle had theopportunity to introduce her to anyone that suited her.” An unwelcomespurt of jealousy welled in him as he waited for her answer.
Mirandaregarded him with astonishment. The question was much too personal for afirst meeting. His grandmother gave a calculated look of surprise that hewould show such interest in their little guest. The question bordered onrudeness. Sutton didn’t care. It was suddenly very important to him.
The Badger raisedher chin defiantly. Annoyed. He could tell by the set of her jaw. Bravelittle Badger. She wanted to throw something at him. He couldtell. Then she winced painfully and dramatically.
“Forgive me,my lady,” Miss Dunforth moaned in false pain to the Dowager. “I suddenly feelquite unwell. My heads feels as if it is splitting. I beg your forgiveness butI must take my leave.”
“Indeed?”His grandmother tried to sound shocked. Grandmother was not a stupidwoman. She noted Sutton’s interest in Miss Dunforth. ”Your headachecame on so suddenly.”
