Miranda, her eyes wide and unsure,watched the exchange between her brother and her grandmother in growingalarm. “Yes, Grandmother?”
“Please escort me to my room. Ifear I am near collapse from exhaustion. You will send a maid to MissDunforth immediately, then return to escort her to the ballroom once repair ismade to her gown. Understood?” She turned to Sutton. “Act thegentleman for once. I insist you stay with Miss Dunforth until the maidarrives, and Miranda returns. Miss Dunforth’s safety isyourresponsibility.”
Sutton opened his mouth to interrupt.
“Silence! I will not argue with youthis evening. Disrespectful scamp.” The Dowager stomped her cane atMiranda. “Come take my arm.” Miranda, still wearing a look ofconfusion at her grandmother’s antics, steered the elderly woman to the door.
“Harry!”
“Yes, my Lady.” The young footman’s headpopped from around the door.
“Lord Reynolds will await the arrival ofa maid to repair Miss Dunforth’s gown. The door should stay open, withyou just outside, to ensure no impropriety occurs.”
Alexandra drained her glass ofMadeira. A feeling of euphoria washed over her. She would be withSutton until the maid arrived! The wine gave her a light, fluffyfeeling.
“Grandmother, I really think –“Miranda tried to interject.
“Be quiet, Miranda. After you sendthe maid, be a dear and let Archie know where he can find hisbetrothed.”
Alexandra thought she still had at leastten more minutes before she had to face the nightmare of her impendingmarriage. She poured herself more Madeira.
***
Sutton stood in stunned silence as hisgrandmother made a most dramatic exit. She left him alone with Alexandra.The Dowager was no fool. She’d plied Alexandra with wine, calming theBadger until the anxious look her features bore had disappeared. Then,pretending to be affronted and outraged by Sutton’s actions, she’d stormed outlike an offended queen and instructed a footman to guard Miss Dunforth’svirtue. Ridiculous. The centerpiece, of course, was the Dowager’sinstruction to make sure Archie knew where to find his betrothed. Hisgrandmother had ensured Alexandra’s ruination at the hands of SatanReynolds. The scandal would be enormous. However, Alexandra’sbetrothal would be broken. The Badger would belong to him.
TWENTY-ONE
“Why didn’t you tell me?” Suttonadvanced on the Badger who steadfastly ignored him. He settled himself next toher small form on the sofa.
Her gaze remained fixed on the wineswirling in her glass.
“Badger.” He took her chin in hishands, forcing her to meet his gaze. She exhaled at his touch and a light,sweet smell filtered to him. The scent, familiar, but out of place. Notthe aroma of the Madeira. The smell reminded Sutton of his time inMacao.
Sutton peered into her eyes.Alexandra’s pupils, large and unfocused, gave her the appearance of a curiousowl. Two glasses of wine had not caused such an effect. Sutton’spulse quickened. Opium wasn’t readily available in London, but laudanumwas prescribed for every woman with a mild complaint. Theheadaches. She mentioned headaches. He grimaced. That bastardnot only threatened the Badger, but drugged her as well. Sutton addedthis to the ever-increasing list of reasons to kill Archie Runyon.
Alexandra bit her lip and a small sobescaped her. “I thank you for your assistance tonight, Lord Reynolds, butI can see that I disgust you –“
“Shush. Stop, my Badger. You do notdisgust me.”
Her eyes, glazed with laudanum and wine,filled with tears. “You mustn’t call me that.” A shaky hand set down the glassof wine.
“Why ever not?” Sutton rubbed his thumbover her swollen lower lip. Just touching her made every nerve in hisbody tingle with want. He wanted the prickly, mulish, spinster in frontof him as he had wanted nothing else in his life.
Alexandra’s hands fluttered in herlap. She tried to turn her head and avoid his stare, but he didn’t allowher to move away. Lightly, he brushed his lips over hers.
The Badger moaned softly. Her body leanedtowards him.
Sutton shot a glance at the door, just intime to see it swing shut. No doubt Harry followed The Dowager’sinstructions.
Sutton pressed soft kisses overAlexandra’s temple and down to her ear, pausing to nibble at the lobe.
Alexandra placed her palms against histhighs. “Sutton,” she whispered against his mouth.
Gently, he pressed his lips tohers. His heart beat erratically, as if this were the first girl he’dkissed. The kiss became urgent, possessive. He shouldstop. Guiltily, he knew Alexandra would take exception to beingmanipulated, even if she was willing. Even if it saved her from marryingRunyon.
Her hands kneaded his thighs.Alexandra’s body became fluid as she molded herself to him.
He pressed her back into the couch untilshe lay underneath him. He half straddled her, one leg on the floor, theother pinning her small body down. The wispy lace of her skirt torefurther as he moved his knee.
