Page 12 of Beauty and the Rake
He poured himself a whiskey and sat down in front of the hearth, where a fire had been set, to contemplate his life.
Since the day he was born, his life was one of privilege. As the heir to his father’s title and all that entailed, Hawksbury found life wasn’t as easy as one might think for the heir of a great man. His father, as was his father before him and his grandfather, all the way back to the first earl. The men were cold, emotionless, and carried a temper few could match. His father rarely showed interest in his heir, preferring to leave his upbringing and education to the earldom to others. He spent little time with his son, and when he did, his father would often fly off into a rage if Graham missed a target or when hunting with his father and failed to kill prey.
His mother, on the other hand, was a loving, kind woman. One who deeply loved her two children. That changed when Mary died. His mother never recovered from her loss. Where she had once defended her son from his father’s tirades, she now spent most all her time locked away in her rooms, grieving.
His mother had been his heart, and he lost a huge piece of it the day she died.
Now he had been given a child, albeit a bastard, something that would follow her for her entire life unless he could invent her story. First, she needed a name, one befitting a little angel. Mary Charlotte, after his sister and mother. He couldn’t think of a more fitting tribute. The babe would also carry his surname in spite of the fact she would become his ward. Perhaps that could change if he ever found a woman worthy of being the girl’s mother.
Chapter Five
“Hawksbury has invitedus to dinner this evening,” Arthur said. He walked across the room where Roxanne was seated near the windows, a book in her hands.
“Have you replied?”
“No, I wanted to check with you first.”
Roxanne arched a brow before responding. “I have nothing planned. Do you?”
He shook his head. A wayward strand of dark brown hair fell into one of his eyes and she watched as he pushed it back into place. “He would like us there at seven.”
“I’ll be ready.”
“What are you reading?” Arthur inquired.
“Keats.”
“I like Keats. Excellent choice.”
“I wrote to my friend, Georgiana. She and her family are on holiday on Wight. She has invited us to visit.”
“I don’t think I can get away that long.”
“Come now, brother, we need to get out of the stench of a city for a while. Wight would be perfect. Or we could go to Gloucester for a month or so.”
“I’m not sure that would be such a good idea. You’d want to host a house party.”
“No, I wouldn’t. Arthur, just about everyone has left the city.”
“If you want to visit your friend, make the arrangements and go. You don’t need my permission.”
“I know.”
Arthur pushed himself to his feet. “If you’ll excuse me, I have an appointment with my tailor within the hour.”
Roxanne nodded and tried not to grin. Her brother had always disliked trips to a tailor or anyone else for clothing. Funny how things change. “I’ll see you in time to leave for Graham’s. He has me curious.”
“Me too. Makes me wonder what he’s up to.”
“Perhaps it’s something as simple as just wanting friends to share a meal.”
“And we shall find out.”
He leaned over and kissed her on the cheek. “Enjoy your afternoon.”
“Thank you, I shall.”
She watched as her brother quit the room. He seemed to be in a jovial mood. Perhaps there was something more to his afternoon than a visit to his tailor. Curiosity piqued her attention as she wondered if there was a lady he might be calling on. Someone he wasn’t ready to share with her. He hadn’t mentioned anyone but that meant nothing. It was well-known that Arthur was one of a handful of men who was still unmarried after all these years. He was also highly sought after by the mothers, all of whom thought their daughter would be a perfect match for him. Perhaps one of her own friends might suit him. Something to ponder, though matchmaking her brother was not at the top of the list. That was why he needed to get out of London and go somewhere like the seashore. Even his country estates wouldn’t do where finding love was concerned. Too secluded for her taste.
