Page 22 of Beauty and the Rake
“No, don’t be silly. I was trying to find out how soon I must return.”
“As soon as you are packed. I’ll have tickets for us to take the late afternoon train to London,” Graham said.
“No, I can assure you I cannot. That’s simply unacceptable.”
“You’ll go upstairs and change. Your maid can follow with your luggage. You will come with me, and we’ll head to the station.”
Georgiana was pouring tea but looked up at Roxanne. “I’ll see she and your luggage make it to the train station.”
“No, I will go nowhere until I know why I’m leaving.”
“I’ve told you I don’t know, Roxanne. The only thing I’ve been told was to make sure I get you back to London as soon as possible. Whatever is going on must be serious for your brother to send for you.”
“What if I refuse?”
“Roxanne!” Georgiana exclaimed. She handed her friend a cup of steaming tea and one to Graham. “You will do no such thing. Whatever is going on, Arthur wants to tell you in person. So you will go to him.”
She felt like everyone was working against her, but Georgiana was right about one thing: whatever Arthur wanted to tell her was serious enough that she had to return so he could tell her in person.
“Very well, I’ll go.”
Roxanne sat in silence as she drank her tea and pondered what could be so important for her brother to interrupt her holiday. Nothing immediately came to mind, and she knew she’d drive herself mad if she kept trying to guess. Why send Graham? Why not send a telegram? She wouldn’t question a telegram, but sending his friend irritated her. And to make matters worse, he seemed to delight in knowing he was causing her such discomfort. She would ignore him all the way back to London. There was no need for them to converse. He was simply Arthur’s errand boy.
She reached out for a piece of seed cake. She had better eat before they left. There might not be a chance until they arrived in London. Roxanne decided rather than share a meal with Graham, she would go without until she arrived at the family home. Besides, that journey was going to prove interesting since she wasn’t talking to him. She wouldn’t let herself fall into his trap of pretending to care for her when he actually only wanted to turn her into one of his conquests and move on. He had a lot to learn about her or women in general.
Pushing the plate and cup back, Roxanne rose. “If you two will excuse me, I’m going to change and talk to my maid about packing.”
“Don’t dawdle too long. We need to leave for the station within the hour,” Graham said.
She ignored him and walked toward the drawing room door. Stopping for nothing, Roxanne was in her room in no time. Her maid was already beginning to fill one of the trunks.
“I need to change into something for traveling.”
“Yes, milady. Her Grace already came and told me you were returning to London. I hope it’s nothing serious.”
“Knowing my brother, it’s probably not, but he knows how stubborn I can be, so he sends an escort.”
“Yes, the earl. I don’t understand why you act the way you do around him. He thinks a lot of you.”
“He’s arrogant. One thing I cannot abide in a man.”
“Yes, milady. I left your blue traveling gown out. Let me go get it.”
“Fine.”
While she was waiting, Roxanne took off her shoes. She would have to be unhooked out of this dress, as the buttons were all on the back. She was becoming more appreciative of the ones that a woman could do on her own.
An hour later she descended the stairs, ready to leave, only to find Graham pacing the floor between the great hall and the drawing room. He looked up at her, a storm cloud of fury crossing his face. She pretended not to notice, and he scowled. “I’m glad to see you changed. We can leave at once. Georgiana is in the drawing room.”
She nodded and headed in that direction, not saying a word. This could be quite fun not talking to him. It would frustrate him and that was part of what she was after. Georgiana walked with her and Graham to the carriage at the bottom of the stairs.
“Promise to write as soon as you know what’s going on.”
Roxanne took her friend’s hands in hers and squeezed them. “I shall. I promise.”
“Good, because I’d hate to have to involve Arthur.”
She climbed up into the carriage and sat back on the leather tufted seat. As soon as Graham joined her on the other seat, the carriage door closed, and the four black horses began to walk forward. Roxanne leaned against the seat and closed her eyes, or pretended to. From under her lashes she observed him pull out a book and open it. She closed her eyes the rest of the way and found herself drifting off to sleep. At least that would make time go by faster and she wouldn’t be forced to converse with that man.
