Page 19 of Beauty and the Rake
“Did you and Jeremy purchase the house furnished or did you do all this yourself?”
“The house was completely empty when we purchased it except for a couple of heavier pieces which remained. I was able to use those. The job is not quite finished.”
“I imagine it was quite the undertaking.” Roxanne gazed around the room, taking in all the details.
“One I’ve enjoyed immensely,” George said. “I’ll let you get settled. When you’re ready, join me in the drawing room. We’ll have tea and catch up.”
“How will I ever find it?”
“The footman I’ve posted outside your room will escort you. The house can be like a labyrinth if you’re not familiar with its layout.” George headed to the door. “I’ll see you shortly,” she said with a smile and disappeared.
Hearing her maid rustling around in the dressing room unpacking her trunks, Roxanne headed in that direction. “Are there any dresses ready for me to wear?”
“Yes, milady. The sage colored one is ready.”
“Good. I’ll change into that. Be sure something is readied to wear to dinner.”
“I will. I was thinking the dark-blue silk.”
“That will be perfect,” Roxanne said.
A short time later, Roxanne left her chamber dressed in sage-colored cotton. The footman was diligently keeping post at her door. “Drawing room? Can you tell me how I get there?”
“I’ll show you the way, milady.”
Roxanne knew she wasn’t going to get out of the young man escorting her, so she didn’t even try to talk him out of it. Instead, she followed him through the house until they ended up at two large oak doors. He opened one door and stepped back so Roxanne could pass. Attention to detail was evident in this room. George had done it in shades of red and cream. The damask covered furniture complemented everything else. The pleasant red complementing cream made the furniture stand out.
“What do you think? Too much?” George asked.
“Not at all. You’ve tied everything together quite nicely.”
A knock on the door kept her friend from saying anything. A footman pushed a cart into the room as the butler watched from the doorway.
“Come, let me pour you tea,” Georgiana said after the door closed. “I think you’ll find everything to your liking.”
“You’re spoiling me, and I’ve only just arrived.”
Georgiana smiled. “You’re on holiday. Enjoy being fussed over.”
“I’ve been on holiday for three years.”
“I don’t consider those years a holiday for you. You had just lost your husband, regardless of the situation.”
“True.”
“Now tell me all about what you’ve been up to since your arrival in London,” George said, raising her teacup.
“I’m staying at Arthur’s, acting as his hostess if the need arises.”
“How’s that working out?”
“Good. Casper had left me a derelict house in an unsavory neighborhood. Arthur stepped in and offered to see the property sold, and until I could find a place of my own, I could stay at the family home.”
“Have you found anything? A townhome?”
“I haven’t begun to look. For now, I’ll stay with Arthur.”
“What about men? Has he introduced you to any of his friends?”
