Page 15 of Beauty and the Rake
“Not necessary. We can discuss this at dinner tonight,” he said.
“I look forward to it, and yes, we can talk about it with Arthur then.”
“I’ll take my leave and see you this evening. Don’t leave the house, just to be safe.”
“Don’t you want to see if he’s outside?” she asked.
“I doubt he’s going to be that brazen. I’ll keep a lookout for him.”
“Very well. Thank you for escorting me safely home.”
“The pleasure was mine.”
The butler had appeared out of nowhere and had the door open. From Roxanne’s viewpoint, she could see no one lurking across the street. The only people were those headedsomewhere. She stood and watched Graham disappear. The butler closed the door.
“You have some letters which arrived this afternoon. I placed them on your desk in your chamber, milady.”
“Thank you.”
She turned and headed upstairs to her bedchamber. Entering the room, she removed her shawl and placed it along with her reticule on a chair. Nearing the desk, she noted a silver salver with several letters. Before sitting down, Roxanne picked up each one and studied the handwriting if there wasn’t a return sender’s information. One was an afternoon musicale with tea from Lady Winters. She smiled at how easily the ton left in London for the summer could gossip. That was the only way Lady Winters could know of her return. The wagging tongues never slept, she mused.
Picking up another, she recognized the familiar script of one of her friends, Lady Pamela. Pamela and she had become close friends as children since her family lived only two doors down. She went on to marry the Duke of Middlesex, only to have him die a year ago in a mysterious riding accident at their Surrey estate. He had been an expert equestrian and was said to be able to ride any horse presented to him. He had been riding his stallion, one he’d had since birth, when all of a sudden, out of nowhere, the beast spooked. Something the stallion never did. The horse had always been fearless. Roxanne had been unable to make it to the funeral and it was a month before word reached her in France of Middlesex’s demise.
She sat down and opened the missive and began reading. Pamela had recently arrived on Wight at Georgiana’s invitation as her period of mourning had ended and she wanted to get away from anything reminding her of her husband. As they had only two twin daughters, the late duke’s brother had taken the title. He’d given her the dowager house, but Pamela was quite frankin that she had trouble living there with what had happened. Everything reminded her of him. Pamela went on to say she hoped Roxanne would consider making the journey to Wight so the three of them could catch up on their lives. Perhaps she could talk her brother into going as well. Finding a house to rent would be impossible, but a hotel may have rooms available. Roxanne would broach the idea again this evening at dinner. If her brother still didn’t want to go, she would tell him she was going. She needed to visit both her friends. They hadn’t seen each other in at least three years. There was much to catch up on.
She picked up the invitation one more time before deciding to accept. It would be a good way to dip her toe back into London society. Her reply to Pamela would wait until morning. She wanted to be sure of her plans before writing her friend.
Chapter Six
Roxanne had seenno reason to mention the stranger nor the possibility he had been following her to her brother. They were en route to Graham’s for dinner and the subject would be best broached with their host since Graham had indeed rescued her. Somehow, sometime this evening she would approach her brother about a short holiday in Wight. She knew she’d be more at ease knowing Arthur would be accompanying her, but if need be, she would go alone. It wouldn’t be the first time. She had, after all, traveled all the way from the south of France to London alone. Widowhood allowed her to make the journey alone.
No sooner had they entered the grand hall of Graham’s home than their host appeared to greet them. Pleasantries were exchanged before Graham led them to the drawing room. Roxanne glanced about the room. It was done in a deep shade of red with a wall covering that complemented the décor. Gold, deep red, and cream damask furniture fit the room perfectly.
Graham poured both himself and Arthur a whiskey and Roxanne a glass of red wine. “I’m so glad you came. I’m not much on hosting anything, not even dinner with friends.”
“You need to do it more often,” she said as she accepted the glass.
A grin crossed his face. “Perhaps I will.”
He then arched a brow, giving her what she assumed was a signal that they needed to tell Arthur about the incident earlierthat afternoon. “Roxanne, why don’t you tell Arthur about what happened this afternoon.”
“What happened?” Arthur said, looking between his sister and Graham.
“A man approached me in the bookshop. He randomly came up to me while I was trying to finish a transaction and began talking to me.”
Arthur took a swallow of whiskey. “Why do I sense there is more to this than you’ve told me?”
“There is. He tried to force me to have tea with him. I began to leave; I was outside, and Graham appeared. If he hadn’t, I don’t know what I’d have done.”
“I’m sure you would have figured something out. You always do.”
“He tried following us,” Graham added. “I brought her home through the kitchens to try and throw whoever this man was off.”
“Thank you,” Arthur said.
“I think he may be someone my late husband’s family hired.”
“Why?” Arthur asked.
