Page 105 of Doxy for the Ton
“There’s more to life—tous—than sexual gratification,” he said. “You know it. I see it in your eyes.”
“What do you want?” she asked.
“To know you,” he said quietly. “Reallyknow you. Who you are—what you care for. Whom you love…”
She blinked, and a tear splashed onto her cheek. He approached her and placed his hand on her face, and she leaned into his touch as he brushed the tear away.
“Teach me to be something other than I am,” he said. “Teach me to be better so that I might be worthy of you.”
“How?” she whispered.
“Show me the world as you see it.”
She closed her eyes as her chest rose and fell in a sigh. He waited, a sinner anticipating his fate—condemnation, or redemption.
At length, she opened her eyes.
“Very well,” she said. “If you truly wish to see the world through my eyes, I’ll show you. Spend a day in my shoes, and we’ll see if you want more. Come on Tuesday.”
“Thank you.” He drew her close for a kiss, but, as usual, she turned her head aside and his lips brushed against her forehead.
His manhood strained in his breeches as he fought the urge to sweep her into his arms, carry her upstairs, and claim her, and his cheeks warmed with guilt as she lowered her gaze to the bulge in breeches. But if he were to woo her, he must forget the desires of the rake, and act in accordance with the principles of the gallant suitor. He took her hand and bowed over it.
“Until Tuesday,” he said.
“Six in the morning.”
He winced, and her lips quirked into a smile, but he nodded.
“Six it is.”
Then he exited the parlor, leaving the woman he desired more than anything else—the woman he’d bought and paid for, though he was ashamed for having done so—and stepped out into the night.
Chapter Twenty-Two
“He’s arrived, LadyRex.”
Mimi glanced at her maid, who stood at the parlor window.
“Really, Gracie? I didn’t think he had the tenacity.”
“We’re at our most tenacious when we’re in love, ma’am. Shall I ask Charles to admit him?”
Mimi nodded, and Gracie exited the parlor as the clock over the fireplace struck six times.
Shortly after, the parlor door opened.
Mimi’s heart tightened as her gaze fell on the man standing beside Charles in the doorway, wiping the drowsiness from his eyes. He stifled a yawn, then covered his mouth with his hand and a faint blush colored his cheeks.
“Forgive me, Mimi,” Alexander said. “I’ve not seen the world at this hour before.”
She returned his smile. “You astonish me, Your Grace,” she said. “I’d have thought you familiar with this hour, given your propensity to indulge in parties throughout the night.”
His smile disappeared, and Mimi caught a flash of sorrow in his gaze—sorrow that tore at her heart. She approached him and offered her hand, and he took it.
“Forgive me, Alexander. I forgot about your friend, Robert Staines. I’m sorry.”
His eyes widened at her use of his name. Then his smile returned.
