“Oh, no!” Her eyelids flutteredopen. “This is the finest gown I have ever owned. I wanted you tosee me in it. I –“
“Find you beautiful in it.” Heanswered the question he saw in her face. “My Badger.”
Her arms wound around his neck. Shesmiled. Her hips moved underneath the layers of silk and petticoats.
Sutton’s hand roamed over herbodice. He circled the tiny nub of nipple through the silk, massaging ituntil it hardened into a peak. Softly, he pinched the peak.
Alexandra flinched. Her eyes flewopen.
Thinking he’d hurt her, Sutton moved hishand away.
“No.” She took his hand. “He…I’m,”Alexandra’s faced reddened, “bruised.” She gave him an apologetic half smile.
Sutton swore under his breath. “He willnever touch you again.”
“You can’t promise that – you can’t–“
It occurred to Sutton at that moment thatAlexandra truly had no idea she was about to be publically ruined at hishands.
Voices sounded outside the door.Sutton heard Harry denying someone entry.
His lips lingered against the milky fleshof Alexandra’s breasts.
“Try to remember how much I want you, asI’ve no doubt you will want to kill me after this.” He whisperedinto her ear. “Forgive me. There was no other way.” Hepressed his face into the nape of her neck, inhaling the smell of tart, greenapples. He pulled her bodice down farther.
The door burst open. Sutton lookedup, covering Alexandra with his arm. He hoped he appeared to besurprised.
The Dowager wore a smug, satisfiedsmile.
Lady Jeanette Reynolds stared at theirprone bodies with horror.
Archie Runyon howled with impotentrage.
***
Alexandra was jerked behind Sutton’slarger form as the room erupted around her. Guests milled about the hallwayoutside the door, curiously trying to catch a glimpse of the disgracedAlexandra Dunforth. Mr. Runyon would never marry her now.She nearly fainted her relief was so intense. Then fear envelopedher. Helmsby Abbey. My God what had she done?
“You!” Mr. Runyon rushed atSutton. “I should call you out for this insult. How dareyou!” Mr. Runyon’s angry words sounded in a whine.
“Then why don’t you?” Suttonanswered. “Come on, Archie. I’m sure Jeanette would stand as yoursecond.”
A collective gasp came from the crowdoutside.
Jeanette, her porcelain skin blotchy withanger, screamed commands to Harry and Zander, who ran to the door.“Direct my guests back to the ballroom. Immediately.” She stabbed aterrified Harry with her index finger. “You will never work for anyfamily again. Pack your bags. No references.”
The Dowager pushed her cane betweenJeanette and Harry. “I don’t think so. Harry works for me. Notyou.” She smiled kindly at the footman. “Run along to the kitchens,Harry, and get yourself something to eat.”
Jeanette bared her teeth at theDowager. “Youdid this. I should have known. It hasall the hallmarks of an addled, elderly –“
“Stop there, Mother.” Sutton stoodin front of Alexandra, shielding her. He faced Jeanette.
Jeanette closed her mouth at the look onher stepson’s face. Her chest heaved in fury.
Alexandra peered around Sutton’s chest.
Mr. Runyon’s face, a bright shade of red,gave him the appearance of an enraged tomato. Rage rolled off of him invicious waves, causing his slender body to shake. The pale blue eyeslooked nearly translucent and filled with the promise of retribution as heglared at Alexandra.
“No!” Oliver Burke stood to one side ofthe door, clutching his chest.
