Page 29 of Beauty and the Rake
“More than happy to accommodate whatever you need.”
Her father, for the most part, had remained quiet, saying little. “I would like to freshen up after that carriage ride.”
“I’ll have a footman escort you to your room. If my brother hasn’t returned by then, I’ll show you to the library since the weather isn’t going to break anytime soon.”
“Thank you.”
“I expect you to show me to my rooms, and I’ll require some hot tea as well.”
Roxanne tried not to show any emotion to the demands of this spoiled girl. It would do no good and it humored her that she would talk down to her given Roxanne’s station.
“Very well. Follow me, please.”
The pair walked in silence until they stepped into the guest room. Lady Prudence immediately made her way to the windows and looked out. The room looked out to a luscious green meadow with a small forest at the far end.
Lady Prudence sniffed and looked around. “This won’t do.”
“I apologize, but what did you say?”
“I said, the room won’t do. I abhor the colors and I need accommodations that have less light.”
Thinking for a second and wondering if anything could please this young woman, Roxanne contemplated the surrounding guest rooms.
“There is a nice room nearby. It is done in shades of periwinkle. It’s a bit smaller, but I’ve always liked it for its coziness.”
“Show me,” she said.
Lady Prudence followed Roxanne and stepped into a room a mere two rooms down. She knew the moment the young woman stepped into the room that she liked it.
“This is perfect, and I don’t mind it being smaller since I probably will be out anyway, riding potential mounts and such.”
Trying to maintain her poise, Roxanne glided over the carpets to a table and rearranged a couple of books placed there. “I’m glad you like this one. I can have the room refreshed if you like, though I know the staff did so a couple of days ago in readiness for your visit.”
“Some flowers might be nice, but I’ll be fine for the rest of the day. If someone could find my maid and let her know where I am, I can bathe.”
“Very well. I’ll go in search of your maid. I’ll be downstairs should you need me.”
“Thank you.”
Roxanne was never so grateful to leave the company of such a spoiled young lady. She needed to be taken over her father’s knee and spanked, but the marquess didn’t seem the sort. The man would do whatever he could to give his daughter what she wanted. Even if she was rude. At least the girl had enough to keep her busy for a couple of hours. It would give her time to breathe.
She wondered how her brother and Graham would react to Lady Prudence’s behavior. The young lady would probably be on display for the evening so the men would fall under her spell. Then she would show her true colors. They both would be eating out of her hand by the time the evening was through. Young ladies such as her had a book on how to play their attention seeking game to their advantage. Roxanne also wondered if marrying a rich, well titled husband might be on her agenda as well. Her father was quite well off financially and Roxanne wascertain his daughter’s dowry was large beyond words. Surely Graham and Arthur were smart enough to see right through her game and see her for who she really was. Neither were that naïve, at least she didn’t think they were. They might be flattered by the attention she would lavish them with, but in the end that’s as far as it would go. Sighing, she went in search of the housekeeper to get the girl’s maid. She was sure the young woman expected to be tended to immediately and that no excuse would do. A clap of thunder caused her to startle. She hadn’t been expecting it. Roxanne hated weather like this, especially the thunder and lightning.
Chapter Ten
After one lastquick meeting with the housekeeper, Roxanne hurried as quickly as she could to the drawing room. She paused at the door and smoothed her skirt. She had decided on a deep-emerald silk gown for the evening. The gown had been made just before she left France. She knew the moment she found the fabric it would be perfect for a gown she’d found on a fashion plate in Paris. Her instinct had been perfect.
Nodding to the footman to open the doors of the drawing room, Roxanne entered regally. The men were standing around the fire and Lady Prudence sat on a dark-gold damask chair. Even at this distance, Roxanne could tell the young girl was flirting with Graham and Arthur. Served Graham right after the way he’d been acting toward her. It was amusing seeing him squirm.
“I apologize for being late. I had a few things to check on in the kitchen.”
“Don’t you have someone to do that for you?” Lady Prudence inquired.
“Yes, I do.”
Arthur glanced at her. “Would you care for some wine while we wait?
“Please.”
