Page 101 of Doxy for the Ton
“There’s every need when my wife’s welfare is at stake, Sawbridge,” Whitcombe said.
“What are you accusing Lady Rex of?” Alexander asked. “I daresay your wife’s in better hands with Lady Rex than anyone else in the room, including yourself.”
“Eleanor was kind enough to escort me outside when I grew a little faint,” Mimi said.
Alexander took her hand. “Are you unwell?” he asked. “Do you wish to leave?”
Whitcombe let out a huff, and Eleanor raised her hand.
“Montague, don’t be tiresome,” she said. “I know you have good intentions, but Lady Rex is the kind one, not me.”
“How come?” Alexander asked.
Eleanor averted her gaze. “I-I’m not fond of crowds,” she said. “Or an excess of noise.”
“And Lady Rex noticed when others did not,” Alexander said.
Eleanor nodded.
“I saw you speaking to that odious Francis woman,” Whitcombe said.
“Not by design,” Eleanor said. “And Lady Rex told her to—”
“Eleanor!” Mimi cried, suppressing laughter.
“With a broom handle,” Eleanor added.
Whitcombe raised his eyebrows, confusion in his eyes, but Alexander let out a snort.
“Let us hope she doesn’t,” he said, winking at Mimi. “For the sake of the poor broom.”
“But she suggested Miss Francis sweep the floor afterward,” Eleanor continued, her eyes sparkling like emeralds, “which would at least put the broom to its proper use.”
Whitcombe glanced from Mimi to Eleanor, then threw back his head, roaring with laughter. A nearby crowd of guests stopped talking and turned to stare at them.
The duke extended his hand to Mimi. “Let me shake your hand, Lady Rex,” he said. “I believe we have been furnished with a treasure. Sawbridge, I envy you and would advise you to do one thing.”
Mimi tilted her head to one side. “Does it involve a broom handle, Your Grace?”
“I trust not,” Whitcombe said. “Cherish this woman, Sawbridge. You’ll never encounter another like her.”
Alexander’s smile disappeared, and Mimi held her breath, awaiting the declaration that he had no time for women. Instead, he took her hand and lifted it to his lips.
“I fear you’re right, my friend,” he said. “It’s something I’ve believed for some time now, and with each passing day, that belief has grown into the strongest of convictions.”
He drew Mimi close, and she leaned into his touch.
Then she glanced over at the group watching them and froze.
Earl Mayhew stood beside Earl Thorpe. The two seemed deep in conversation, then Thorpe gestured toward Mimi, and Mayhew lifted his pale-gray gaze to her. His eyes glittered like cold, hard diamonds in the candlelight, and a sneer curled the corner of his mouth. Elizabeth de Witt joined them, together with Miss Francis, and icy fingers clawed at Mimi’s insides as all four of them turned toward her.
“Mimi, my love, are you well?” Alexander whispered.
My love…
She closed her eyes, letting the brief flare of hope wash over her. Then she opened them again and nodded.
“Yes, I-I’m well,” she said, glancing toward the group by the door. But they had returned into the ballroom.
