Page 60 of Wickeds Scandal
Sutton glanced up, surprised to seeAlexandra and not the maid Zander assigned to clean the study. For thelast week, Sutton had shushed the maid and her assortment of bees’ wax, dustrags and other cleaning implements, out of his domain. He wanted to bealone. Alexandra was the last person he expected to see. He refusedto marry her without her consent, no matter the scandal.
The Badger hid well within the walls ofGray Covington. Since the disastrous night of his stepmother’s birthdayball, he’d seen little of her. The Dowager, taking charge as few generalscould, oversaw Alexandra’s weaning from laudanum assisted by her handpickedphysician, whose discretion was assured by the power and wealth of the Reynoldsfamily.
His stepmother’s return to London hadbeen achieved with little fanfare. Jeanette said nothing as she left GrayCovington, but her icy glance spoke volumes. Her resistance to hismarriage to Alexandra was evident in the toss of her head as she climbed intothe Cambourne carriage. Correspondence from London assured Sutton thatthe scandal of Alexandra’s ruination had not died down. The gossipswondered why no marriage had taken place and why Alexandra continued to resideat Gray Covington.
“Hello, Badger.” He pushed backfrom the stack of papers that littered the gnarled walnut desk, laying down theletter he had been reading. The letter, from Lord Bishop, relayed thedetails of an expedition being mounted to explore a region of the Asianpeninsula near Macao. Lord Bishop wished Sutton to lead theexpedition.
“You cannot think of another way toaddress me? Must I always be a small and smelly creature?”
Sutton’s mouth quirked, wanting to smileat the tart tone.
“We must talk.” She marched to thedesk, demanding his attention in her prickly way.
He forced his features into a polite maskof curiosity, not willing to let her see how pleased he was to seeher. Hewas notpleased to see that she continued to twisther gorgeous mass of hair into a hideous bun that would make an elderly matronjealous. Not a curl so much as ventured from the tightly wound ball ather neck. Her gown, plain blue and bereft of adornment, would be muchmore fitting for a governess, not a future Marchioness. He preferred herin dark, vibrant colors and made a mental note to order her a newwardrobe. A gray shawl hung about her shoulders, shielding the Badger’soverabundance of bosom from his eager gaze. He wondered if Alexandradeliberately tried to make herself appear unattractive as a means to antagonizehim. Perhaps he should tell her that the prim, dull appearance she adoredcultivating did not deter him, and in fact, made him want her more.Sutton grinned.
The Badger backed up, not caring for hisgrin. She cleared her throat and placed her hands on her stomach, as ifhe irritated her so much she may become ill.
He quirked a brow and waited for her tospeak. Had she come to tell him she would not marry him? That she wouldrather be a pariah? Sutton should take her on the desk right now, severaltimes, until she became big with child. Badgers cannot flee when they arelarge and pregnant. The idea appealed to him.
Alexandra backed up again and gave him anuncertain look. Then she lifted her chin, her eyes meeting his.
“Please sit, Miss Dunforth.You seem…unsettled.”
She glared at him. Annoyanceflashed in her eyes. “No, thank you.”
Good. He much preferred her annoyedthan the awful wraith she had been the night of the ball.
“I need to know. Why?”
“Why what?” He knew what sheasked.
She turned her head away. “Did you do itonly to save me from Runyon? If so, then I refuse to hold you to thisabsurd assumption that we must marry.”
“Already your ruination at my hands isthe talk of London.”
“I will not return to London. Ihate London.”
“You cannot return to HelmsbyAbbey. It’s been sold.”
Alexandra gave him an awkward look, butsaid nothing. Her hands nested together. She took a shaky breath andlooked directly at him. “I don’t wish to be married out of duty.”
“Then whatdoyou wish to bemarried for?” he asked softly.
The Badger bit her bottom lip. Herdelicious plump bottom lip.
He walked towards her.
The Badger looked down at the floor, asif suddenly enthralled by the swirling pattern of thistles that edged the rug.
His fingertips grazed her chin, forcingit up. Her skin felt like silk. A tremor ran through her bodyas he touched her.
“Oh,” she whispered. “Formyself.” She tried to back away.
“Then we have that in common.” Hebrushed his lips against hers.
Her gray eyes, flickering like opals,gave him a guarded look. “Tell me you did not do it just to save me.”
“I am not that honorable. I wouldnot marry a woman I didn’t want,especiallyif I haven’t had thepleasure of ruining her.”
