Page 27 of Beauty and the Rake
She would admit since she was forced to marry Casper, she’d become a hardened shell of herself. He made her that way. She hadn’t known who to trust, and he couldn’t be trusted. He lied to her, talked down to her, until Thomas’s birth, and he sent her to his farthest estate so he wouldn’t have to look at either of them. She couldn’t open up to anyone, and that included Graham. He would get over their row eventually. Graham was moving too fast, and he needed to be reminded of that. If he didn’t, it would be sad, but then she had no interest in remarrying. Not even to him. She had come to enjoy her newfound freedom in France after Casper died.
Unable to find any solace from the fountain after their confrontation, she rose and began to walk to the garden’s edge. Walking towards the stables, she decided watching the two newborn foals run about on their unsteady new legs was betterthan too much thinking by herself. The babes were carefree, ignorant to the ways of the world.
As she approached, she noted her brother leaning against the fence to the small paddock where they’d been put with their mothers until they were a little more steady on their feet. He was laughing at something they were doing and didn’t hear her as she drew near.
He turned his head towards her as she joined him at the fence. “What did you do to anger Graham this time? I passed him coming here, and he stalked right by me without so much as a word.”
“It’s not important. He’ll get over it.”
“Roxanne, tell that to someone else. I’ve known the man for most of his life, and it takes a lot to anger him like he was when he marched past me.”
“He does things without consulting me. Did you know he… never mind. Of course you know he purchased cameras and other equipment and put it in the attic. He could have at least spoken to me about it first.”
“Here’s some free advice. Accept his gift and move on. You’ve made it very clear you have no interest in any sort of relationship. Stay friends with him. You never know when you might need one.”
She giggled and pointed to a black youngster who was in the middle of the grass, running circles around his mother. Kicking his heels up, they landed on his mother, which prompted the mare’s ears back and teeth bared as she reprimanded him.
“I won’t apologize,” she said, still watching the horses.
“Of course you won’t.”
“Please, give me some time. Since I’ve returned, I have done very little for myself. My visit to see Georgiana was cut short. Thomas died unexpectedly, and I haven’t had time to accept anything new.”
“Well, I should tell you, the Marquess of Norfolk will be coming with his daughter for a short visit. He is looking for a couple of saddle horses. Graham also has a few he wants to look at as well.”
“Do you know when?”
“They are scheduled to arrive next week. The nineteenth.”
“Find you how long they intend to visit, so I can plan menus and other things.”
He smirked. “Of course.”
“Do you know how old his daughter is?”
“I believe she’s ten and eight or thereabouts. Why?”
“I don’t want to plan activities for a child if she’s older.”
“She loves horses. One of the horses her father purchases will be for her.”
“I suppose we could ride about the estate,” she said.
Arthur arched a brow, turning to look closer at his sibling. “You could, but I know how riding has never been one of your favorite things to do.”
“It’s not, but if it helps you secure a sale, then I will do what I can to help.”
“Thank you for that. I know if the lady wishes to ride one of the horses her father deems suitable, he or myself will have to ride with her,” he said.
“She might choose to act inappropriately on a horse she does not know?”
He nodded. “I understand her mother died when she was quite young. Her father indulged her, and the result is a spoiled young woman.”
“I understand,” she said. “You needn’t explain any further.”
“I knew you’d know what to do, given the circumstances.”
“Yes. Make sure I know the details of their stay as soon as you hear. In the meantime, I will see the housekeeper and Cook now so they may begin readying the house.”
