Page 79 of Doxy for the Ton
But as he watched Mimi glide across the ballroom, arm in arm with Lady Portia, he was struck with the realization that the prospect of a night of gaming with his friends no longer held any pleasure.
In fact, pleasure, for him, was only to be had in her company.
Chapter Eighteen
For a moment,Mimi thought Sawbridge might remain with her, but he clapped his friend on the back and they disappeared through a door at the opposite end of the ballroom, beyond which a cloud of blue smoke was already forming.
“Brandy and cigars!” Lady Portia huffed. “They think their propensity to consume ridiculous amounts of both places them on a pedestal. But I suppose it relieves us of their company for a while. We’d best take advantage—Lord Walton is famous for only keeping his card tables open for a short while. Lady Walton’s orders.”
Mimi glanced at their host, who paraded about the ballroom with his wife. “They seem very happy together,” she said. “When we danced just now, he spoke of nothing but his wife. A man ready to bore his dance partner with tales of his wife’s virtues must be in love.”
Lady Portia let out an unladylike snort. “Happiness in marriage is as unlikely as—as a doxy marrying a duke.”
Cold fingers caressed the back of Mimi’s neck. “A…what?”
“Forgive me. Don’t tell my brother—he’d be angry if I spoke of doxies. He loves me, I’m sure, but he’s always so strict.”
“I won’t say anything,” Mimi said.
“Not that Icarewhat he thinks.”
“You seem unusually frank, Lady Portia, compared to when we first met.”
“Portia, please,” her companion said. “You were good enough to save me from my brother’s company tonight, so I consider you a friend and can therefore speak more freely. Do you have many friends in London?”
“There’s Eleanor—or, I should say, Duchess Whitcombe,” Mimi said, glancing about the room. “But she’s not here tonight. I thought she would be.”
“Eleanor rarely attends large parties,” Portia said. “She dislikes the company of strangers, and when the room gets too loud, she struggles to maintain her composure. Those who don’t understand her are wont to criticize her. Such as my brother. He thinks she’s soft in the head. But I think he’s an arse.”
She glanced about the room, as if she feared being overheard, then let out a nervous giggle and gestured across the dance floor.
“Justlookat Sarah Francis! Staring at the men as if she’s anticipating a meal. I swear I saw her salivating as she watched your dancing with Sawbridge. I wonder if she’d be as desperate for male company if she knew what dreadful creatures men are.”
“You dislike the company of men?”
“There’s a few exceptions to the rule,” Portia said, glancing toward a group of men in the center of the room. “But for every happily married couple, I’ll wager there are twenty wives desperate to rid themselves of their husbands. I—Oh!” Her hand flew to her mouth. “Lady Rex, forgive me. You must think me most insensitive with you recently out of mourning.”
“But I amoutof mourning, Portia,” Mimi said, “and therefore you may give your opinion of the male sex freely. I’m less likely to be offended than most.”
“I’m glad to hear that. The Duke of Sawbridge has been unable to keep his eyes off you all night. I thought he was going to burst with rage when Lord Walton led you onto the dance floor.”
“I doubt that,” Mimi said.
“As for Miss Francis, I…” Portia’s voice trailed off, and she stiffened. “Miss Francis,” she said.
“What about her?” Mimi asked.
“What about me?” a sharp female voice said, and Mimi turned to see the subject of their conversation standing before them. “You seem very much in favor—Lady Rex,” she said.
Mimi smiled. “That’s too kind of you,Miss Francis.”
“Tell me, for I’ve been unable to find any information,” Miss Francis said, “whowasyour husband? My acquaintance is extensive, and none have heard of him.”
“We did not spend our married life in England,” Mimi said. “And, as a mere knight, I wouldn’t expect you to know him, given your superior rank.”
Miss Francis inclined her head. “Quite so,” she said. “But I applaud your ambition, associating yourself with Lady Portia—not to mention Sawbridge. But then, I suppose the widow of a knight wishing to elevate her rank can be forgiven for taking such an interest in a duke.”
She smiled at Mimi, her eyes glittering with spite.
