Page 85 of Doxy for the Ton
He pulled her close and pressed his mouth against hers. Before Mimi could protest, a pair of hands grasped Mr. Drayton’s shoulders and pulled him back.
Mimi turned to see Alexander haul Mr. Drayton across the floor and slam him against the wall. The dancers dispersed, and the music stopped as a ripple of voices threaded through the room.
The young man’s eyes glistened with tears. “F-forgive me, Your Grace, I-I didn’t—”
“Didn’t what?” Sawbridge roared. “Didn’t think? Didn’t behave like a gentleman? Or didn’t realize that you were taking advantage of a lady?”
Mr. Drayton’s mouth wobbled and a tear slid onto his cheek. Mimi placed a hand on Alexander’s arm.
“Leave him be, Your Grace,” she said. “He’s just a boy who’s taken too much champagne.”
“Do you hear that, young sir?” Alexander snarled. “You’re a mereboy, and Lady Rex isn’t the sort of woman to let herself be mauled by drunken adolescents. Perhaps you should retreat to your mama’s breast and only return when you’ve grown into a man and learned how to treat a lady.”
“Alexander,” Mimi said quietly. He froze at the use of his name, and her skin tightened at the raw, potent desire in his eyes, and the savage possessiveness that swelled until a single word entered her mind, uttered in a low growl.
Mine.
A fire of need ignited in her blood, and she caught her breath. His nostrils flared, as if he scented her desire, and she felt his body vibrate under her hand, with the barely suppressed strength of the superior male beast who had bested a lesser rival to claim his female.
For a moment, she let herself indulge in the thrill of his possessiveness. Then Mr. Drayton broke the spell.
“Iama man, Your Grace. Lady Rex accepted my hand for this dance.”
She caught a flare of fury in Alexander’s eyes.
“Whatdid you say,boy?”
“Sh-she was willing.”
“Willing?” Alexander roared. “I ought to rip your throat out!” He tightened his grip on Mr. Drayton’s lapels and slammed him against the wall again. The young man let out a moan of pain. “Not so much of a man now, are you?”
“Please!” Mimi cried. “The other guests are watching.”
“Then let them watch while I pummel this reprobate into the ground,” Alexander said. “I ought to call you out, Drayton, but I make it a rule never to duel withbabes.”
“I’d be delighted to—” the young man began, but Mimi interrupted.
“Please!” she cried. “Your Grace, let him go. I’m experienced enough to tell the difference between a drunken, infatuated boy and a predatory man.”
“Yes,” Alexander said. “I suspectyouare.”
Guilt flared in his eyes, but it was too late. His arrow had hit home.
“L-Lady Rex, f-forgive me,” the young man said. “I-I don’t know what came over me.”
“An excess of champagne, that’s all,” Mimi said. “But I’d advise you, for your own safety”—she glanced toward Alexander—“to sit out the remainder of the dancing tonight and take a little water. Or, perhaps, go home. Your Grace, please let Mr. Drayton go.”
Alexander released his grip and glanced about the ballroom, where a small crowd had formed. Mr. Drayton smoothed his collar, and his lip trembled as he spotted the onlookers.
Then Alexander let out a sigh and offered his hand. Drayton stared at it.
“I’d advise you to take it, young man.” The youth nodded, then took it. Alexander pulled him close. “Leave her be,” he said, his voice a low whisper. “She is not for you.”
“Not until Lady Rex assures me that she’ll be safe.”
Mimi couldn’t help admire the young man’s bravery when faced with a bigger, stronger opponent.
“Very well,” Alexander said. He slipped Mimi’s hand into his, and before she could stop him, he lifted it to his mouth, brushing his lips against it. Even through the fabric of her gloves, the sensation sent a ripple of raw need across her skin, and she closed her eyes, willing her body to resist the flare of desire pooling in her center.
