Page 21 of Beauty and the Rake
“He is a handsome one,” George drawled.
“Yes, and he’s well aware of it.”
They were at the table and Graham stood and let her introduce everyone. “I apologize for the intrusion, but Arthur asked me to seek you out.”
“My brother is incapable of that. What sort of shenanigans are the two of you up to?”
“I have no idea what you mean, milady. Arthur instructed me to do whatever it took to take you back to London. Even put you over my shoulders if that’s what it takes.”
“You wouldn’t dare!”
“I’m simply following instructions.”
“I’m sure you are,” Roxanne said.
George, who hadn’t sat down, cleared her throat delicately. “I’m going to see about some tea.” She disappeared, leaving Roxane and Graham glaring at each other.
Roxanne sat down across from him and watched as he lowered himself into the iron chair. For a second, she had to admit George was right. He was a handsome man. His chiseled jaw and kissable lips were highlighted by deep golden eyes. Kissable lips? For someone perhaps, but never her.
“I know you don’t wish to see me, and I never intended to disrupt your holiday. Arthur asked me to come get you and escort you back.”
“Why didn’t he come for me himself? Why send you?”
“I have no idea, Roxanne.”
“Is something wrong with our aunt and uncle?”
“It is futile for you to keep asking me questions I don’t know the answers to,” Graham said, tapping the top of the table with his fingers.
“Yes, I suppose it is. You wouldn’t tell me even if you knew the answer.”
He made a point of changing the subject. “You’ve had a nice visit with your friend?”
She nodded. “I have. Our friend Pamela was supposed to join us, but her father took ill, and her mother asked her to stay.”
“That’s what happens when one has aging parents,” he said.
“Yes.” She looked directly at him, trying to get some idea of what he was really all about. “Did your meetings in Brighton go well?”
“They did. A good start to a prosperous project.”
“I found it an unusual place for a business meeting, but I assume he’s one of those who holidays at the seashore.”
“He and his wife have a cottage there, I’m told, and he keeps an office there.”
“His business won’t suffer with him being out of London.”
“No.” He gazed around at the house behind them. “Quite the house your friend has.”
“It is, isn’t it. The moment I walked in, I could see how George fell in love with it.”
“Perhaps you’ll live in something similar should you remarry,” he said.
She smiled at him. “Impossible. I have no desire to remarry.”
He chuckled at her statement. “Never say never, Rox.”
Georgiana returned and sat down, glancing between the two of them. “Have I interrupted something? Because if I have, I can come back.”
