Page 140 of Doxy for the Ton
Lord Radham drew Juliette into his arms. “I can never be angry withyou, my love—you know that.”
Mimi flinched as he glanced at her over the top of his wife’s head.
“To whom is your anger directed, brother?” Eleanor asked.
“It matters not,” Mimi said. “Lord Radham, do you have news of London?”
His expression darkened. “Number 16 Grosvenor Square is let again.”
Mimi’s heart stuttered.
Had Alexander established her replacement there already?
“Andrew, I hardly think—” Juliette began.
“Juliette,” Mimi said, “it’s all right.”
“No, it’snot,” Eleanor said.
“I agree,” Lord Radham said. “It’snotall right—and it never will be.” He turned to Mimi. “I’d hoped to seeyousettled there, Lady Rex—” He shook his head. “Forgive me—Miss King.”
“Has she”—Mimi hesitated—“has the new occupant kept on the staff?”
“I believe so,” came the reply. “My housekeeper mentioned it. She said your housekeeper—apologies, yourformerhousekeeper—was seen coming out of the back door. Even your maid has been kept on.”
“Mrs. Dryburgh is turning into something of a gossip, Andrew,” Juliette said. “Shame on you for encouraging it.”
“H-have you met the new occupant?” Mimi asked.
“No,” he said. “I have no occasion, nor any wish, to visit Grosvenor Square.”
This time she caught the flash of anger in his eyes.
“Andrew,” Juliette said, her voice sharp, “we’ve already discussed this. It’s not your place to speak of it.”
“Speak of what?” Mimi asked. “If my presence here offends you, Lord Radham, I’m sure I can find somewhere else to—”
“It’s not your presence here that offends me, Miss King,” he said, “but the necessity of it.”
“I don’t understand.”
“Andrew, that’senough!” Juliette said. “My friend has no wish to hear your opinion of…of her circumstance. She’s here by her own choice, are you not, Mimi?”
Mimi nodded. “But I have no wish to remain where I’m not welcome.”
“Youarewelcome, Miss King,” he said, extending his hand to her. She stared at it, unmoving. “Will you accept my apologies? I meant no offense toyou.”
“Then whom did you intend to offend, sir?”
He colored, and his hand shook. Then she took it. “Him,” he said.
Alexander…
Mimi caught her breath, and Juliette rolled her eyes. “Itoldyou not to speak of Sawbridge in front of my friend. It’s distressing enough for Mimi to leave London, let alone be reminded of her circumstance.”
“Am I not permitted to disapprove of the manner by which Sawbridge treated your friend, Juliette? She deserves better.”
“Sheis in the room, Lord Radham,” Mimi said. “And she knows enough of Society’s rules not to place undue expectations on men of your rank.”
