Page 4 of Beauty and the Rake
Chapter Two
As Roxanne headedto the drawing room door later that evening, she stopped in front of a large, gilded mirror to check herself. She wanted to look perfect. First impressions were lasting ones, and since she hadn’t seen Graham since they were children, this would obviously be a first meeting and one she wanted him to remember.
She smoothed her dark-blue silk gown. The dress was one she had picked up in Paris before leaving for London. Paris was ahead in fashion trends, and she made sure she supplemented her wardrobe with the more sophisticated gowns of the Continent. One last look, and she turned to head for the closed door.
Arthur and Graham were standing in front of the mantel talking, enjoying a glass of whiskey. If Arthur hadn’t been standing alongside his friend, she would never have recognized him. Long gone was the gangly young boy and in his place was a grown man who had matured into someone muscular and tall. Both were dressed in evening attire, but it was Graham who stood above Arthur. His jacket was well filled out, and even without speaking to him, Roxanne could easily see he was articulate and confident.
Golden eyes met hers as she closed the gap between them. She was intrigued by the man she saw standing next to Arthur.
“Here she is,” Arthur said, placing his glass on the mantel and coming her way.
“This can’t be Roxanne,” Graham’s gravelly baritone replied.
“I can assure you it’s me, and I must confess, the only thing I do remember is the prank you played on me.”
He looked confused and turned to Arthur for explanation. Her brother, in turn, in low tones mentioned what prank she was talking about. He must have suddenly remembered because a huge smile crossed his handsome face before he let out a laugh.
“Well, I should apologize for my behavior and assure you nothing like that will happen again.”
She shook her head as Arthur handed her a glass of white wine. “No need. It was a long time ago and like you said, we were children.”
“Indeed,” Graham said. “Arthur tells me you’ve just returned from the south of France. Did you enjoy your time there?”
“Yes, yes, I did. It’s beautiful, and I highly recommend it if you haven’t been. You can easily travel to Italy from the south of France.”
He nodded. “It’s one of my favorite places to go on holiday.” A smug smile crossed his face.
The arrogant prig! She wanted to wipe the self-satisfied look off his face. Only problem was—his face was too handsome to risk such brutality. Nonetheless, she was not impressed by his attitude. If Arthur had caught the exchange, he’d understand. Or would he? He and Graham seemed to be thick as thieves, so for now she wouldn’t let him think he could get a rise out of her. That would drive him crazy, being bested by a woman.
At that time, the butler announced dinner.
“Shall we?” Arthur said.
She led the men to the dining room and sat where she normally would. To Arthur’s right. Graham took the only other seat with a place setting directly across from her and to Arthur’s left. For the first time, she wished she had a flower arrangement placed in front of them. Then he wouldn’t be able to lookthrough her with those haunting eyes nor would they be able to carry on a conversation. Hopefully, Arthur and he would engage, and she would be left to her own devices. Roxanne knew from past experiences that if one listened to men when they weren’t expecting a woman to be paying attention, she could learn a lot. Business, sports, politics, and an unlimited list of topics.
“Arthur tells me you’ll be staying here for the immediate future,” he said as the soup course was removed. The tender turtle soup had been a welcome change.
“Yes. He’s most insistent I do not stay at the house my late husband left to me.”
Graham nodded slightly. “Yes, he mentioned that. He’s right. It’s not a place for ladies of your standing.”
“Her late husband was a cruel man. That’s evident in how he treated Roxanne and what he failed to leave her,” Arthur added.
“If I may be so bold, did he leave you with any funds to live off of?” Graham inquired. He picked up his fork and speared a piece of lamb.
“You’re joking, aren’t you?” Roxanne laughed lightly. “The only things I received were that house and one hundred pounds a year. A very paltry sum considering the size of my dowry he got when we married.”
“Remember what I said, it’s in the past and things will only get better,” Arthur said.
“I’m more than ready to move on.”
The evening ended up being far more enjoyable than Roxanne expected. Graham, she found, was fascinating and he genuinely listened to her. He made her feel at ease. Talking with him was easier than she originally thought it would be. He wasn’t condescending like a lot of men were when talking to the fairer sex.
When the meal ended, rather than the two men staying behind for their port and cigars, they joined Roxanne in thedrawing room. Arthur offered her a port and when she declined, he brought her a splash of brandy. She sipped it and listened to the latest on what was going on in London. The three years she had been away left her always inquiring for any bit of news from back home.
She was brought back from her thoughts by Graham addressing her.
“Would you care to accompany me to Hyde Park on Thursday? There is to be a concert given by an American orchestra. They’re supposed to be quite phenomenal.”
