Page 52 of Wickeds Scandal
Her vision dimmed as if she were lookingdown a tunnel. Tiny pinpricks of light flashed before her. “Why would youdo this to me?”
“Because I can. I’ve paid for theprivilege.” Hands, gloved in the finest leather, wrapped around her wrists.Mr. Runyon reached and pulled her upright so hard her arms were nearly pulledfrom their sockets. Ice blue shards of glass watched herdispassionately. His handsome face contorted into a menacing mask.The monster before her in no way resembled the gentle man who once paid hercourt. The pressure on her wrists intensified. “My dear,sweet, clumsy littlewhore.”
Alexandra flinched. She thrashed,causing her head to ache as she sought to free herself.
Mr. Runyon sighed in disgust. “Juststop it.” He shook her and her head snapped back. “You are behavinglike a child. You will learn to enjoy the things we do together, thethings you will do with my friends. Lord Atkins is looking forward tofurthering his acquaintance with you.”
“No! You are sick.Disgusting. What you did to that woman--”
“Was only what she wished. I’lladmit Mary isn’t as fond of the crop as I would like but...”
“Please,” she begged.
He gave her a rueful smile. “Youand I are going to have suchfuntogether.” Grabbing both herwrists in one hand, he reached out with the other. The gloved hand lingeredover the mounds of her breasts, squeezing them as if he tested theirripeness. “Lovely and tender like an unblemished peach.” His thumbrubbed against her left nipple, slowly.
Horrified, Alexandra felt her nippleharden into a point under the gentle urging.
Mr. Runyon chuckled, a nasty, raspingsound. “See? Whore.” Abruptly he pinched the nipple.
Alexandra shuddered in pain.
Lord Runyon licked his lips. “Oh,yes. Suchfunwe will have.”
Ashamed and more frightened than she hadever been in her life, Alexandra began to weep. She continued to struggleineffectually against him, nausea and dizziness nearly overwhelming her.
Mr. Runyon swung her around like a child.“Alexandra, I fear all this defiance on your part has done nothing butwhet my appetite. I think we must find a quiet parlor before returning tothe ballroom.”
“No! I shall scream!”Alexandra stuttered between sobs.
“Then I shall gag you.” He shook her.“You need to learn-“
“Hello, Archie. Am I interruptingsomething?”
Lord Reynolds, his tall form barely morethan a shadow, stood in the hallway before them.
Mr. Runyon stopped swinging her. Hethrust her behind him, still holding her wrists in a bruising hold.
“Bugger off, Cam.” He sneered to LordReynolds. “My future wife and I are having a private discussion that is noconcern of yours.”
Lord Reynolds took in Alexandra’s wrists,bound by Mr. Runyon’s hands. His gaze lingered on her face, beforeturning to Mr. Runyon. “Private discussion or not, betrothed or not, nowoman is to be abused under my roof. Let her go.”
“You have no say, Cam! I –“
“Mary is missing. Have you seenMary? Plump lass who takes care of things in the family’s wing?”
The image of the woman in the orangeryflashed through Alexandra’s mind. Mary, no doubt.
Mr. Runyon’s grip on Alexandratightened. One slender hand reached around and caressed Alexandra’s face,the fingers tapping along her cheek. He viciously grabbed her chin,forcing her to look at Lord Reynolds. “A maid’s disappearance? Why shouldI care about the disappearance of some lowly servant when I hold my perfectHampshire rose? Lovely, isn’t she, Cam?”
Alexandra closed her eyes againstSutton’s penetrating stare. What must he think of her? Hisbeautiful face was carefully blank, devoid of any feeling. Deep wrenchingshame and self-recrimination flooded through her. Her stupidity had costher the affection of the man before her. She disgusted him. Alexandrasobbed quietly.
“Miss Dunforth.” Lord Reynolds addressedher but did not look at her. “Your dress appears to have a slight tear init. Down the hall there is a small parlor where my sister is attending mygrandmother. I will escort you there and call for a maid to repair yourgown. “
“I don’t think so, Cam. I willescort my betrothed to the Ladies Necessary Room, where she can be waited on byher maid, Tilda. I can’t bear for Alexandra to leave my side. Weare announcing our betrothal tonight.” Archie sneered at him.
A slight tic appeared in Sutton’scheek. He cocked an indulgent smile. “I don’t think so,Archie. Miss Dunforth will sit in the parlor with my sister and theDowager.”
Mr. Runyon sputtered. The dark veinin his temple bulged. The blue gaze settled on Sutton maliciously. “You can’thave her. I’ve seen the way you look at her.”
