Page 18 of Beauty and the Rake
“Very well. Do you think a fortnight will be enough time to visit with your friends?” he asked.
“I’ll make it work, and thank you, brother. I look forward to seeing our relatives.”
“As do I. It’s been a while since we’ve had company.”
“It has.”
“Graham is quite befuddled about this baby, isn’t he?” Roxanne said with a laugh. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen him unable to make a decision.”
“This is different. This is his daughter, bastard or not. He wants to do right by the girl. Giving her to someone else to raise is going to be a hard decision, if that’s what he’s left with.”
“True. I guess now it’s dependent on what his solicitor advises,” Roxanne said.
“Yes. It’s late. I’m going to bed.” She stood on tiptoe and kissed him on the cheek. The scent of the cigar he had and the port still lingered. The combination brought memories back of their father. “Good night.”
Chapter Seven
The closer shegot to the house, the more excited Roxanne became. The Italian renaissance style home was exactly as Georgiana had described it. Large and an off-white in color, Georgiana and her husband, Jeremy Black, Duke of Dorset had purchased the home after falling in love with the structure the first time they saw it on a walk they’d taken on the beach. Her husband had made discreet inquiries and paid over market value for the property. This was where they spent their summers now while the duke had his country estate renovated. A long overdue project and one he wasn’t rushing.
To look at the home, one would think nothing else while passing it by. Just another luxurious home of a member of the aristocracy. She wondered if Georgiana had been inspired to incorporate the property into one of her books. Her friend was a novelist and often weaved real places and people into her novel. This would be fun.
The carriage slowly began the journey down the long, crushed-shell driveway. If she remembered what her friend told her, the front looked out on the street from a distance while the back of the house overlooked the sea. There was a beach where Georgiana mentioned they could use her bathing machine to swim. Bathing machines had become all the rage along the beachfront villages which dotted the coast. Roxanne had always wanted to try one, but it never seemed to work out.
A few moments later, the coach came to a stop. She waited for the door to open, but Georgiana had rushed down the stairs and flung open the door. It was obvious from the first glance at Georgiana that she was happy. One day Roxanne hoped to find that same kind of love and happiness.
“I can’t believe you’re here,” Georgiana exclaimed as she pulled Roxanne from the carriage.
“Neither can I. For a moment, I thought it might not happen.”
“Come, you can tell me everything. I’m sure you’d like to freshen up first, after which we can have tea and catch up.”
“Has Pamela arrived?” Roxanne asked.
“No, she’ll arrive tomorrow. She made a quick stop to see her sister.”
“I can’t wait to see her. It’s been ages since I’ve seen any of you.”
Georgiana hugged her after she exited the carriage. “I know. Let’s get you to your room. I think you’ll like the room I chose for you.”
“I’m sure whatever you chose is going to be beautiful.”
The pair walked up the stairs arm and arm and into the great hall of the house. It was magnificent with its black and white marble floor and a dramatic double staircase toward the rear of the room. Vases of flowers graced various tables along the walls and one in the center of the hall.
“This is breathtaking, George.”
“Thank you. We fell in love with the house the moment we stepped foot in this room. It sets the tone for the rest of the residence.”
“It does, and I haven’t even seen anything beyond this room,” Roxanne said.
“Follow me.” George smiled.
Roxanne followed her friend up the stairs and down a hallway to a closed door. Inside, the room was breathtaking. Done in shades of lavender and purple, Roxanne thought it was the most beautiful bed chamber she’d ever seen. A small sitting area surrounded the fireplace while a huge white four poster bed dominated the far wall. Lastly, a large window let lots of light into the room.
“The dressing area is just beyond that doorway. I hope you’ll make yourself at home.”
Roxanne walked around the room, taking in all the detail put into the décor. “May I ask a question?”
“Of course you may.”
