Page 24 of Doxy for the Ton
“Mine,” Alexander said. “I’ve agreed to act as guarantor until Lady Rex’s late husband’s stipend is settled. And I require an account to be opened in her name at my bank.”
“Youdo?”
“Yes, Larry, I do,” Alexander said. “With all haste.”
“The partners at Coutts are very particular about new account holders, sir.”
“Then go to the Hart bank instead.”
“Very good, sir,” the valet replied. “The Hart bank caters to…awider variety of clientele. Mr. Hart will take money from anyone.”
The valet glanced about the bedchamber. “I cannot find your clothes from yesterday, sir,” he said, “save your cravat. Where are they?”
Alexander glanced at Mimi.
“They’re in the scullery,” she said. “In a bucket. I put them there to soak.”
The valet wrinkled his nose. “They’re not rags—Mrs.…” He hesitated and cocked his head to one side.
“Lady Rex,” Mimi said.
“LadyRex, yes. They’re not rags,Lady Rex. They were crafted by the finest tailors of Savile Row. They could be ruined. In future, leave me to tend to the master’s clothes.”
“Then the next time your master rolls about in a ditch, I’ll leaveyouto scrub it off,” Mimi said.
Larry arched an eyebrow.
“Though,” she continued, “I suspect a prig such as yourself would faint at the stench of shit.”
Alexander suppressed a smile as the valet blushed to the tips of his ears.
“Well, I-I suppose, just this time…” he stammered, then wrinkled his nose.
A cold smile curled on her lips as she stepped toward the valet.
“That’s right, dearie,” she said, her voice flattening to the accent of the slums. “Leave the shit scrubbing to the likes of me, and you can amuse yourself folding silk and wallowing in your superiority.”
Oh hell—what was she about? A sense of anticipation threaded through Alexander, as if she were planning something.
Then she released the bedsheet, which fell to the floor, revealing her naked form.
Alexander’s mouth watered at the sight—her glorious curves, despite her lean frame, the soft, pert breasts with their dark-pink nipples, and the thatch of curls. His cock surged with the need to be buried between those sweet thighs. And to think—she was his until next summer.
A low whimper made him look around. His valet stared open-mouthed, raw, base desire in his eyes.
Mimi let out a laugh. “Take a good look, Larry,” she said. “I usually charge, but you get your first gawp for free.”
“I-I…” The red-faced valet stepped back, his eyes flaring with shame.
“Larry, I’ll see you in the dressing room,” Alexander said.
The valet mumbled an apology, then slipped into the dressing room, closing the door behind him.
Mimi made no attempt to move. She met Alexander’s gaze with a mixture of pride and hurt in her eyes. Suppressing the need to claim her luscious body, he stooped to pick up the bedsheet, ignoring the raging torrent in his groin. Then he placed the sheet around her shoulders, drawing it close around her body.
“Would you like something to eat?” he asked.
She nodded.
