Standing, he held her in his arms.One hand stroked the side of her neck. He whispered dark, eroticwords of the pleasure he wished them to find together.
She nestled closer to his chest, wishingfor this to never end. Ashamed and broken with the knowledge of what sheneeded to tell him, she pulled from his arms. She was betrothed to a manSutton hated. He would never forgive her.
“Alex? What is it Badger?” He grasped hershoulders in the darkness, the fingers gently fitting the buttons of herbodice. “Did I hurt you?”
Alexandra made a small cry ofdistress.
“Sutton.” She cleared her throatand pushed his hands away. She couldn’t make him out in the darkness, butshe sensed he was frowning at her, perplexed by her attitude. “I musttell you. Please try to understand –“
Sutton backed away from her so violentlyhis large body collided with the shelves behind him. Cleaning suppliesfell to the floor.
”Alex. What have you done?” herasped.
“You need to understand. Peopledepend on me. People –“
“Runyon. You havebetrothedyourself to Runyon.”
Alexandra made tiny sobbing noises, herheart breaking apart like a glass vase someone had dashed against a stonefloor. “Please let me explain. I deserve your disgust.Truly.” Tears ran down her face. “But Helmsby Abbey. My home.I had no choice, don’t you see? There is no one else. Hepromised….” She babbled, sounding like a lunatic in Bedlam.
“You are marrying him for afarm?”He shoved her against the wall, hurting her. “You scoffed at my offer, made mefeel as if I was the very epitome of depravity, for even suggesting that theinnocent Alexandra Dunforth be my mistress.”
“I thought you toyed with me. Iknow now that’s –“
He continued as if she hadn’tspoken. “What a pity I didn’t know your price to become a whore was anacre of dirt in Hampshire. The highly principled Miss Dunforth. Inthe end, you are exactly like every other woman I know. You are just muchcheaper.”
“Please, Sutton. Listen to me.”
“You would rather be Runyon’swhore? Then so be it.” Sutton snarled. “To think I actuallyconsidered –“ His words ended abruptly.
Alexandra shook her head. Her blooddrummed in her ears. “It’s not like that. I need to make you see -”
“Shut up.” He grabbed her chin roughly,turning her head so that he could whisper in her ear, his tone full ofdisgust. “No better than awhore.” He dropped her chin as if thefeel of her flesh tarnished him. “Is that what you were doing that day atmy grandmother’s? Did you think to tell her I seduced you so you couldnegotiate for your farm? No wonder you were so surprised when Iappeared. I scuttled your plans didn’t I?”
Pain and hurt roared through Alexandra,making her stomach twist into knots.I will not survive this.I cannot listen to any more. A horrible retching sound came fromher mouth. She opened the closet door and picked up her skirts. Her eyesfilled with tears, blinding her, as she stumbled out into the hallway.She ran full tilt into someone who held her by the shoulders. Miranda.
“Alexandra! What’s happened?”Miranda’s brow furrowed in surprise as she looked at Alexandra. Shequickly leaned over, adjusting Alexandra’s bodice. “Oh, Alexandra.”
Alexandra shook her head.“Oh God, what have I done?”
“Look at me Alexandra,” Miranda said in alow tone, “others are watching.”
Lord Tasterly, from behind Miranda,cleared his throat. “Lady Reynolds, your brother is here.”
“Miranda,” Alexandra whispered, “I needto leave. Please, away from everyone. Especially yourbrother.” She was dying inside. Her heart would stop beating.Her noble sacrifice on behalf of Helmsby Abbey brought her little comfort.She destroyed her heart’s desire. How could she marry Mr. Runyon?How could she not?
Miranda straightened, shieldingAlexandra’s much smaller body with her own. “It’s all right,” she said tothe small group that rounded the corner of the exhibition. “A snake in the exhibitionstartled Miss Dunforth. I believe she’s turned her ankle.”
Someone in the crowd gave a gasp offright. Alexandra thought it sounded like Lady Atkins.
“Come Miss Dunforth, Lord Tasterly willsee you to my carriage.” Miranda waved at Lord Tasterly. “My lord,would you assist us?”
“Of course!” He choked out, sparinga glance at Lord Reynolds, to see if the Marquess would disagree.
Alexandra wanted to cry out that Suttonwould not object, in fact, she was quite certain Sutton could care less whethershe expired on the spot or not. Grief wracked Alexandra’s body. She shookuncontrollably.
Gingerly, Miranda led Alexandra away tothe main hall, assisted by Lord Tasterly. Alexandra heard Lord Tasterlymurmur a ‘my lord’ as they passed Lord Reynolds. She did not look up.
Sutton did not attempt to stopthem.
