Page 36 of Doxy for the Ton
Chapter Nine
The carriage thathad followed Mimi and Charles into Grosvenor Square was enormous, bearing an ornate crest. Two men in red livery sat at the front holding the reins, seemingly oblivious to the rain, while another two clung to the back.
So many men, and horses, to convey a handful of people too idle to walk.
A woman’s face appeared at the carriage window, blurred by the rain—another Society lady to look down on her.
Then a second face appeared—the Duke of Sawbridge.
Mimi turned her back and followed Charles up the steps, where the door opened to reveal the butler.
He stepped aside to admit her, looking over her soaked form, then his gaze settled on the water dripping onto the floor, already pooling at her feet.
“Charles and I were caught in the rain, Wheeler,” she said.
“So I see.”
Why did his face bear a permanent expression of disdain? Or was it merely when he looked at her?
“Charles!” he snapped. “Don’t just stand there.”
“Yes, Mr. Wheeler. Sorry, Mr. Wheeler.” Trembling, the footman took Mimi’s cloak.
“Ma’am, I suggest you change your gown,” the butler said. “Do you have another?”
Mimi nodded, feeling like a wayward child admonished by a schoolmaster.
“Good. Do you require assistance?”
“No.”
“In which case, would you oblige me with an audience once you’ve changed? I’ll await you in the study. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I need a word with Charles.” He bowed and began to retreat.
“Which room is the study?” Mimi asked.
He gestured to a door on the right. “In there, ma’am.”
“Very good, Wheeler—you’re dismissed.”
He arched an eyebrow at her attempt at authority, then bowed and retreated, his footsteps clicking on the floor. Once he was out of sight, Mimi sprinted up the stairs to the sanctuary of her bedchamber.
*
After changing intoanother of Sawbridge’s housekeeper’s old gowns, Mimi made her way to the study, where she found the butler seated beside a squat dark wooden desk.
He rose and gestured toward the chair at the head of the desk, waiting until she’d taken it before resuming his seat.
“Why have you summoned me?” she asked.
He arched an eyebrow. “If I recall right, I merelyrequestedan audience, Lady Rex.”
“It didn’t sound like a request.”
“Perhaps not to one unused to how a Society townhouse is run.”
“I see you’re not sparing me your frankness,” Mimi said.
“I merely feel obliged to warn you of the inappropriateness of your behavior today.”
