Page 35 of Beauty and the Rake
“I’ve done that a few times, but I find coming here if I need to figure something out lets me do it with fewer distractions.” He took a sip of wine, followed by a slice of bread.
“We all need to have at least one place like this.”
“Indeed,” he said. “Do you have such a place?”
Roxanne pushed the chicken and ham on her plate around as she attempted to decide how to respond. “Not since I wasmarried off to Casper. When I was growing up I either went to the attics or sat in an old apple tree if it wasn’t raining.”
“If you need a place, you’re always welcome to come here.”
“Thank you, but I don’t want to intrude.”
He reached out and took her free hand. “You wouldn’t be intruding. You’re more than welcome here.”
“You’re too kind.”
“It’s not an act of kindness. I have concluded that I’ve fallen madly in love with you.”
“Graham, it’s not nice to tease.”
“I’m not. Despite both of us declaring there was not the first bit of feelings between us, there is.”
“I don’t know what to say.”
“Say nothing. Let’s just see what develops.”
She arched a brow. “Is that why you brought me here? To meet your daughter and get swept off my feet by you?”
“Of course not. My feelings for you are real, always have been. Bloody hell, Roxanne, I want to marry you and spend the rest of my life together with you.”
“Like you said, let’s see what happens. I’m not saying no, and I’m not saying yes. Give us some time to get to know each other as a couple.”
“I can live with that, but if you break my heart, I don’t think I’ll ever recover.”
She laughed and tilted her head, so she wasn’t looking directly at him. “Must you be so melodramatic?”
The next thing she knew, he was so close to her she could smell his shaving soap. Musk with a hint of citrus. Gently he pushed her down on her back and began kissing her passionately.
Suddenly, Graham broke their kiss, and he leaned on one elbow, gazing down upon her. She couldn’t play his games. “What the bloody hell, Graham?”
“As much as I would like nothing more than to make love to you, I want our first time to be private and personal.”
She grinned up at him for his thoughtfulness. “So do I, and anyone could come riding upon us and see what we’re up to.”
He responded with a hearty laugh. “I promise it won’t be long.”
“You know, my aunt and uncle will be here in a day or two. We could share that we’re courting once they arrive.”
He nodded. “I suppose I should speak with your brother, so he won’t be surprised.”
“I don’t think he’ll be surprised, but sharing with him first will mean the world to him,” Roxanne said. “I wish he could find someone.”
“What about any of your girlfriends? Any you could match him up with?”
“Perhaps, but we should concentrate on us first, though I will keep prospects for Arthur in the back of my mind,” she said.
“That’s what I want to hear come from your lips.” He smiled. He righted himself and looked toward the basket. “I could have sworn I saw some of Cook’s delicious chocolate cake.”
“I think you might be right. Would you like a piece?”
