Page 96 of Doxy for the Ton
Then she descended the stairs.
Alexander stood by the front door talking to Charles, his broad back to her. Then he turned to face her.
His eyes, the color of sapphires, darkened as she approached, and he stepped forward and held out his hand. Before she could stop herself, she drifted to his side, slipping her hand through his—a falcon returning to her master.
“You look…” he said, then shook his head. “Forgive me, I know you’re not fond of flattery.” He nodded to the necklace. “Do you like it?”
His voice wavered and she saw uncertainty in his eyes, as if he were a male bird having brought an offering to his mate and now awaited her verdict.
“It’s beautiful, thank you.”
“I saw several necklaces, but none were the right color—I wanted it to complement your eyes.”
“My eyes arebrown, Your Grace.”
“Y-yes,” he said, “but I recalled at the ball how the color of your gown seemed to emphasize your eyes, and I wanted a necklace to suit.”
“Then I thank you for your consideration, Your Grace.”
“Might you call me by my given name while we’re alone?”
She glanced across the hallway to the footman, who stared straight ahead, making a pretense, with little success, of nonchalance.
“Thank you…Alexander.”
He smiled and his eyes sparkled with pleasure, the color intensifying to that of a deep ocean into which she yearned to dive. Then she broke their gaze and gestured toward the door.
“Perhaps we should go,” she said. “It’s past six, and you’ve yet to say where you’re taking me.”
He steered her outside, where his carriage stood waiting. Then he helped her inside, climbed after her, and rapped on the side. They set off with a lurch and she almost lost her seat, but he caught her and she was beset by the aroma of wood and soft spices—the scent of a man.
She sat back, fixing her gaze on the window while he spoke about his day, as if they were a courting couple venturing out for the evening. But despite the urge to look at him again, she refrained, for fear that she would see, once again, the expression in his eyes when she’d spoken his name—the spark of joy, and of love.
At length, the carriage passed between a pair of iron gates, entering a drive that led to an enormous building emblazoned with light. A row of torches flanked a wide set of steps that led to a doorway guarded by two liveried footmen.
The carriage rolled to a halt at the foot of the steps, amid a number of other carriages, and excited chatter filled the air as the occupants climbed out and ascended the steps—mostly couples, but the occasional lone gentleman, and Mimi spotted a family of six, a husband and wife and four young women, their feathered headdresses nodding as they chatted animatedly to each other.
Mimi had never seen so many people in one gathering. A private ball she could weather, but a large public event such as this…
She was bound to be discovered—if not due to the nonexistence of Sir John Rex, then as herself. What if a former customer were among the party?
Or worse…
Her gut twisted with fear, and she drew in a sharp breath to temper the nausea.
Then a large hand took hers, and she turned to see a pair of blue eyes focused on her.
“You’ve nothing to fear tonight, Mimi,” he said. “I’m certain you’ll have an enjoyable evening. But I promise that if you wish to go at any time, I’ll take you home. I merely ask that you come inside, if only for a moment.”
“What is this?” she asked, nodding toward the building.
“It’s a surprise,” he said. “One I hope you’ll like. I won’t ask you to trust me—I’ve no right—but I ask that you give me a chance.”
The plea in his voice spoke of sincerity.
“Very well,” she said.
He smiled and gave a little growl of pleasure, then he pushed open the carriage door and climbed out, helping her after him. He steered her toward the steps and led her inside.
