Page 58 of Wickeds Scandal
“Your guests are no doubt running totheir carriages in a race to see who will make it to London first. Theyhave gossip to spread. You wished for your party to be talked about formonths. Now I’m sure it will be.”
Jeanette lost complete control of heremotions. She ran at Sutton, her hands up, prepared to claw his face withher nails. “I hate you! How dare you do this to me!”
Mr. Runyon grabbed her around thewaist. He smoothed her hair and whispered into her ear. “Comecousin, do not waste your time on him.”
Sutton regarded his stepmother as if shewere no more than an insect in his path. A muscle ticked in his jaw, theonly sign that Jeanette’s words affected him. “Good evening, Jeanette.”
Jeanette gave a dramatic wail and leanedagainst Mr. Runyon as she allowed him to lead her out the door. “I willnever forgive you, Sutton! Never! You will pay for this!”
Mr. Runyon stopped abruptly. Heswiveled his head to look directly at Alexandra. “I’ll see yousoon,Alexandra.” He smiled, a chilling grin that froze Alexandra to hercore. Then he was gone.
Sutton turned to the butler.“Zander? Please dispose of this-“ Sutton jerked a thumb towards OliverBurke, who lay sobbing and bleeding over the carpet, “person. Make surethat his valet and Miss Dunforth’s maid are packed off as well.Immediately.”
“Yes, my lord.” Zander snapped hisfingers and two large footmen appeared. “Please escort Lord Burke to hisrooms and stay with him until he is packed. See that his valet and MissDunforth’s maid go with him.”
The two footmen reached for Lord Burke,as he swatted ineffectually against their hands.
“No! She has to marry Runyon!She must!” Lord Burke put his head in his hands. “I’m ruined. Thatlittle whore has ruined me!”
Sutton brushed aside the two footmen andwrenched Lord Burke up. “Have a care for the way you address the futureMarchioness of Cambourne.” He snarled at Burke. Sutton shoved Burkeaway from him towards the footmen. “Get him off my property.”
Odious Oliver clawed at the footmen whorestrained him. He sobbed and wailed. Alexandra watched in reliefas the two footmen escorted her uncle from her sight. Sutton’s words sankin. The future Marchioness of Cambourne? She disengaged Miranda’sarms from around her waist. She remembered Miranda’s guilty look.
“Thank goodness that isover.”The Dowager intoned. “Sutton, the vicar of Covington owes me afavor. I’m sure he will be able to provide you –“
“Stop it!”
The Dowager looked from Sutton toAlexandra.
“Does no one care what I wish for?”Alexandra’s head ached. Her heart hurt. Manipulated, first by heruncle and Runyon, now by the Dowager and Miranda. And Sutton?Had he been manipulated as well? Did he even truly want her?
The Dowager reached out and tookAlexandra’s hand in her own. She squeezed gently.
Alexandra tried to pull away, but theDowager’s grip was surprisingly strong. “Sutton, why don’t you and Mirandabegin the arduous process of dismissing our guests? Ensure the viper isgone from our nest. Miss Dunforth and I have things we need to discuss.”
Sutton’s gaze slid over Alexandra, hiseyes dark and unfathomable. What was he thinking?
He nodded to his grandmother. “Asyou wish,Rainha.”
“Alexandra,” Miranda gave her anapologetic look, “I am sorry for the circumstances but not the outcome.”Miranda and Sutton walked out of the room, shutting the door quietly behindthem.
“My lady…” Alexandrastammered. “The preceding events have left me much distressed. If Icould just lie down for a moment, catch my breath. Surely thisconversation can wait until later. After I’ve had some tea.”
“And allow you time to flee the premiseswith some ridiculous notion that you can find employment?”
Alexandra felt the guilty flush in hercheeks.
“I think not. Besides, you have alaudanum addiction, in case you have not noticed. You will need to beweaned.” At Alexandra’s look of surprised indignation she said, “The tea,Alexandra. Have you not noticed the way it makes you feel?”
The Dowager hobbled over to the couch,frowning as she saw the tiny blood splatters left by Odious Oliver. “I shallhave to have this couch recovered. I doubt I can replace thepattern.” She swung her cane, pointing at Alexandra. “Sit. Ipromise you will not be forced to marry, if that is what you truly wish.I feel it my duty, however, to apprise you of your current situation.”
Alexandra looked into the calculatinggreen eyes of the Dowager Marchioness of Cambourne and sat.
TWENTY-TWO
Stubborn! Alexandra’s penchant tobe mulish rivaled Donata’s own tendencies. An admirable trait, exceptwhen directed at Donata. In addition, Alexandra possessed a formidablebackbone. The girl did not cry or sob, as most women would, after findingout they had been drugged with laudanum, sold to a depraved man for a gamblingdebt and ruined publically by a notorious rake.Mostwomen wouldcollapse into a fit of hysterics. Alexandra did not.
“So you don’t wish to marry?Interesting. I assume you realize that you have not only been ruined, butpublicallyruined. Even now your name and tonight’s events arerapidly becomingthescandal of the Season. Everyone in Londonwill know what occurred at Gray Covington by tomorrow morning. Not a doorwill be open to you. Women will cross the street to avoid making contactwith you. Unless you marry Sutton you will be a pariah. The onlyemployment you will find will be on your back.”
