Page 148 of Doxy for the Ton
“Good, very good,” Thorpe said, taking one of Mayhew’s arms, while Westbury took the other. “We can return here once our business is concluded, and I’ll stand you a bottle of champagne. What say you to that?”
“What say you to the prospect of my not agreeing to this?” Mayhew sneered.
“Only that I’ll make it known that you were responsible for the murder of your sibling and the ruination of Baron King’s daughter,” Westbury said. “You confessed it yourself—took pride in it, even. Can you be certain that, given the damage Sawbridge did to his own reputation over a drunken accident, your reputation will emerge unscathed if the world knows of your cruelty? A man—not even a titled one—cannot afford to damage his reputation while he’s seeking a rich wife.”
“Now,” Thorpe said, “I think the time has come to shake Sawbridge’s hand like a gentleman, then we’ll conclude our business.”
Alexander held out his hand, biting back his revulsion as Mayhew took it.
“The devil take you, Sawbridge,” Mayhew hissed, his eyes filled with venom.
“Perhaps he already has,” Alexander replied. “But before I enter the gates of hell, I can say that I’ve done all I can—forher.”
He could at least take some consolation inthatin the years to come, even if he never saw Mimi again.
Chapter Thirty
“There’s a gentlemanto see you, Miss King.”
Mimi glanced up from her ledger to see her manservant in the doorway, cap in hand.
“A gentleman, Mr. Wade? From the village?”
“He’s come from London. Shall I take him to the parlor?”
“Where is he now?”
“At the front door.”
“You’ve not kept him waiting at thedoor, Mr. Wade?”
The burly man blushed and curled his fingers around his cap. He resembled a boy awaiting admonishment from his nursemaid, and Mimi suppressed a smile.
“Mr. Wade?”
“I-I thought it best,” he said, shuffling from one foot to another, “on account of Lily. She’s a little unwell today, and I don’t want her upset.”
Mimi nodded. She’d heard Lily’s cries last night—pleas for mercy as her nightmares visited her again.
“I suggested she remain indoors,” Mr. Wade continued, “while Sammy helped me in the garden. But I didn’t want to bring a stranger inside while she…” He made a random gesture in the air.
Mimi nodded. “I’m glad she has you to take care of her, Mr. Wade.”
He gave a shy smile. “I-I was wonderin’…about Lily and Sam…”
“My visitor, Mr. Wade?” Mimi said. “We mustn’t keep him waiting.”
His blush deepened. “Sorry, ma’am.”
Mimi placed a hand on his arm. “You’re a good man,” she said. “Is Lily in her chamber?”
He nodded.
“Then she must remain there. Bring my visitor to the parlor, then perhaps you could ask Betsy to make tea?”
He nodded and exited the study. Mimi closed her ledger and made her way to the parlor. Almost as soon as she sat, the door opened and a red-faced Mr. Wade appeared.
“Mr. George Stockton to see you, ma’am,” he said, stepping aside to reveal Mimi’s solicitor.
