Page 141 of Doxy for the Ton
“I was content to break such rules for the woman I love,” Lord Radham said, taking Juliette’s hand once more.
Mimi swallowed the knot of pain, and Juliette let out a huff.
“You mean well, Andrew, but you’re exacerbating the matter for my poor friend. Your sex is too ready to criticize mine for overly loose tongues, but sometimes it’s best for themanto remain silent.”
He clicked his heels together and bowed in Mimi’s direction. “Forgive my lack of insight,” he said. “But I still condemn him. We have a shared history, you see, due to what happened to my brother, Robert.”
“I know,” Mimi said. “I am sorry for your loss, but I beg you don’t think too badly of Alexander.”
His eyes widened at her familiar address.
“He suffered greatly over your brother’s death,” she continued. “It plagues him at night when he sleeps… I-it lies heavily on his conscience. It’s not my place to expect you to forgive him, or to ignore the loss you suffered. All I ask is that you consider the possibility that at some point in the future, you might come to understand him, even if you can never bring yourself to think kindly of him.”
“And his abandonment of you, Miss King? Can you think kindly of him for that?”
“He did no such thing, Lord Radham,” Mimi said. “We had a temporary arrangement that has now ended. Besides”—she gestured about the parlor—“if it weren’t for him, I wouldn’t be here, and nor would my school. You may view our arrangement as distasteful, and I assure you that you’re not alone in that view. It was, nevertheless, one of few choices open to me for survival. And having taken it, I’ve gained my independence, and a handful of women will be given an opportunity in life that they could never have afforded before.”
“I know, and I salute you for it.”
Mimi shook her head. “It’shimyou should salute, Lord Radham. He brought it about.”
“You make me quite ashamed, Miss King,” he said. “But you’ve confirmed my opinion that Sawbridge was a damned fool for letting you go.”
“A mistake that I’m sure he’ll cease to regret in due course.”
Now that he has a new mistress in Grosvenor Square.
“Andrew, I think you’ve said enough,” Juliette said. “If you’re eager to take me home to our daughter, we should take our leave.”
“Gabriel’s having his supper with Sam,” Mimi said. “He is welcome to stay the night if you’ve no objection.”
“None at all,” Lord Radham said. “You honor us with your invitation to our son.” He bowed over Mimi’s hand and kissed it.
Juliette rolled her eyes. “One moment they’re making fools of themselves by demonstrating a complete lack of understanding, and the next, they’re falling over themselves in an act of gallantry to make up for their shortcomings.Men!I’ll never understand them.”
“My Montague is the same,” Eleanor said. “I’ve given up trying to understand him.”
“Yet they’re such simple creatures,” Juliette added. “It’s an enigma, to be sure.”
Mimi suppressed a laugh at Lord Radham’s bemused expression, and Juliette slipped her arm through his.
“Be not afraid, my love,” she said. “There’s hope for you yet, provided you accept my instruction with good grace.”
She winked at Mimi, then steered her husband toward the door. Shortly after, Betsy arrived with Juliette’s cloak and ushered the couple out, leaving Mimi alone with Eleanor.
“Would you like me to leave also?” Eleanor asked. “Forgive me—I’m no good at understanding when it’s time to go.”
“You may stay as long as you wish,” Mimi replied, taking her friend’s hand. “For dinner, if you like. Gabriel and Sam would be delighted to hear your opinion of the beans they harvested this afternoon.”
“We’ve guests for dinner tonight at Rosecombe,” Eleanor said with a sigh. “I dislike social occasions, but they’re a necessity. Of course,you’dbe welcome at Rosecombe—come and stay for a few days when you can spare the time.”
“Won’t there be danger of my meeting…?” Mimi gestured in the air in front of her.
“No danger, I assure you,” Eleanor said. “I understand little of social convention, but even I know that it’s not the done thing to invite my friend to stay at the same time as the man who broke her heart.”
“Thank you,” Mimi said. “More tea?”
Eleanor nodded, Mimi refilled their cups, and they sat, sipping their tea in silence. At length, Eleanor set her cup aside and leaned forward.
