Page 76 of Doxy for the Ton
“I-I knew the late Sir John Rex.”
His cheeks warmed as she stared at him. Why did some women possess the ability to look right inside a man’s soul?
“Does it matter who her family is—or was?” he asked. “I thought you were above valuing your friends only in relation to their rank.”
“Oh, I am,” she said. “But I find it surprising that you know so little of her background. I thought you set store by such things—background and rank.”
At that moment, Mimi glided past, and Alexander’s heart fluttered as she met his gaze.
Not anymore, I don’t.
Lady Walton smiled. “Perhaps there’s hope for you after all.”
Bugger. He’d said that aloud.
The dance concluded to gloved applause, and the dancers dispersed. Alexander’s gut twisted with apprehension as Walton led Mimi toward the edge of the ballroom, followed by a cluster of young men. His apprehension turned to envy as each man bowed over her hand. But as each prospective dance partner attempted to kiss her hand, she withdrew it, a benign smile on her lips. The last suitor to present himself, a gangly youth, couldn’t contain his enthusiasm as he grinned broadly at her, his face flushing scarlet. She withdrew her hand with a smile, but patted his arm indulgently before retreating to the edge of the room.
She glanced about, and when she met Alexander’s gaze, he felt a tug at his heart, as if an invisible thread connected them. Then she approached him, the pimply youth in tow. Alexander held out his hand to her. The youth scowled, but Alexander set his mouth in a hard line and drew himself to his full height. The youth’s eyes widened as he recognized the stance of the dominant male, and he retreated with a scowl of petulance, as if he’d been denied his favorite toy.
That’s it, young sir—she’ll not waste her time on a boy in the presence of aman.
His heart slid into place as she slipped her gloved hand in his.
“Lady Rex,” he said, “you cannot imagine what joy it brings me to see you here tonight.”
“Your Grace,” she said, dipping into a curtsey, a smile on her lips, and his blood warmed at the prospect of kissing them—a pleasure she had so far denied him.
“Has anyone told you how beautiful you are?”
Her smile slipped. “Frequently. I’m sure every man alive pays such a compliment to a woman when he wants to—”
“I say!” Thorpe approached and slapped Alexander on the back. “Are you not going to introduce me to this heavenly creature, Sawbridge?”
“This is Lady Rex, as well you know,” Alexander said. Then he turned to Mimi. “May I introduce Giles Thorpe—earl, former schoolfellow, and reprobate.”
Thorpe took her hand. “A pleasure, Lady Rex.”
Her eyes widened, and Alexander caught a flicker of fear in them. Then she blinked and the fear was gone, but she stiffened and withdrew her hand.
“Formerreprobate?” she asked.
Thorpe let out a laugh. “I suspect the former referred only to the schoolfellow. But if anyone knows about being a reprobate, it’s Sawbridge here.”
“Your father knew a thing or two about decadence, Thorpe,” Alexander said, piqued at Mimi’s interest in the man. “Famous for it, he was, leading himself, and many of his friends, into ruination.”
“Perhaps, but, as I’ve learned, the generation that follows must pay for the profligacy of the generation before,” Thorpe said. “Your heir, if he comes into being, will, I’m sure, learn that very lesson, Sawbridge.”
“Lord Thorpe, I thought Sawbridge was yourfriend,” Mimi said, an edge to her tone.
“In which case he’d do well to heed my warning,” Thorpe replied. “I wouldn’t wish any son—or daughter—to suffer destitution because their parents lacked the foresight to ensure their finances were in order.”
Mimi drew in a sharp breath and stepped back.
“Forgive me, Lady Rex,” Thorpe said. “I understand you’re lately out of mourning. It was most remiss of me to discuss what must be a painful subject.”
“Quite,” she said. “Grief is afforded a set period of time, after which it must be hidden away or ignored altogether. But those dear to us whom we lose should never be forgotten, no matter how painful their memory may be.”
The music struck up once more, and Thorpe bowed over Mimi’s hand.
