Page 5 of Beauty and the Rake
She was tongue tied and looked to Arthur for guidance. “I would accompany you, but I’ve two important meetings and I cannot cancel them.”
“Very well. I accept your invitation. It sounds intriguing to say the least.”
She wasn’t sure of anything, and since she hadn’t heard from any of her friends, it was a good way to get outside and enjoy the park and music. Roxanne had nothing else planned, and if she refused his invitation, both Arthur and Graham would know the truth. And besides, Thursday was three days off and anything could happen. Graham might have some sort of business meeting suddenly come up or it could pour down rain and everything would be canceled. Of the two, that was the most likely scenario.
“If you will excuse me, I’m tired after such a long day,” Roxanne declared. “I’ll leave you gentlemen to your discussions.”
Arthur neared her. He placed a kiss on her forehead. “Pleasant dreams.”
“Thank you.” She turned to Graham. “It was nice to see you again.”
“And you as well. I look forward to our outing Thursday afternoon.”
She nodded and headed to the door, never looking back, or saying another word.
Roxanne dismissed the young girl waiting on her when she arrived in her rooms, despite the maid protesting. A fire was burning, the bed turned back, and the heavy draperies drawn to keep out the light and hopefully some of the London noise. Once she changed into her night rail, Roxanne sat at the dressing table and let her hair down. After removing her jewelry, she picked up the brush before her and began to brush her long hair, recalling the evening’s events. She finally climbed into bed. Her eyes closed, and that was the last she remembered until morning when she heard her lady’s maid rustling around the room. Roxanne cracked an eye. It was most definitely morning, but rather than blue skies, she could tell they were gray. Deciding she couldn’t stay abed any longer, she slowly sat up and swung her legs over the side of the bed. Time to begin another day. Today she would catch up on correspondence, and after that she would meet with the housekeeper and Cook.
Choosing a light-gray day dress, piped with black on the collar, sleeves, and hem, she headed to the small room off the dressing area. A large copper tub was filled with hot water, the steam rising to the ceiling. On a small table at the side of the tub were a bar of orange-honeysuckle soap she had discovered in France, a washing cloth, and a towel. She dipped her toes into the water and, deciding it was just as she liked it, Roxanne immersed herself into the tub, sat back, and closed her eyes for a moment while she enjoyed the experience.
The maid helped her dress. Neither of them said much, but Roxanne wasn’t much for early morning conversation. Checking herself in a mirror, she left the calm and tranquility of her rooms and headed downstairs for breakfast.
Arthur sat at one end of the table, a half-eaten plate of food before him and a pile of newspapers to his left. He stood upon seeing her. “Good morning. I trust you slept well.”
She regarded her brother for a moment before answering him. Arthur was sharply dressed, everything perfectly put together, what with the gray suit he wore with the white, starched shirt and gray cravat. His hair was short, and his face freshly shaved. Any woman would love to be seen on his arm. Pity, he claimed there was no one.
“Yes, very well.”
“Excellent. What are your plans for this dreary day?”
“Correspondence, meet with the cook and housekeeper. After that, I’m not sure.”
“I’m sure you’ll figure it out,” he said with a grin. “You seemed to get along with Graham well enough.”
She smiled. “He’s your friend. Why wouldn’t I? That doesn’t mean he’s still not a rake, and an arrogant one at that.”
A footman placed a plate in front of her filled with some of her breakfast favorites. Eggs, sausage, toast.
“The man has a mind like a steel trap when it comes to business. He’s years ahead of the rest of us. A true visionary.”
Roxanne buttered her toast thoughtfully. “I’m not looking for a husband, Arthur, so don’t play matchmaker.”
“I’m not. Graham is a good man to know. He knows a lot of people and is well respected.”
“I deduced as much. Otherwise, I would have never agreed to go to this concert in Hyde Park with him.”
He snorted as he picked up a newspaper from the pile. “No, you wouldn’t have agreed to it. Go, have fun. You deserve it.”
She said nothing, instead choosing to finish her breakfast. Looking outside, she sighed and reached for the marmalade to spread on her bread. She had traded a life of sun for this? But, as she told herself time and time again, in the south of France shehad been hiding from life and came back to face the reality that was her new life without Casper.
“That’s going to take some time. When you are constantly reminded that you’re only a cash cow and no one would want you, you begin to believe your attacker. Casper and I may have lived separate lives, but he always made sure I knew where I belonged in his world.”
“That’s something I plan to begin looking into today. I’m going to his attorney to see if there’s something that might have been overlooked at the initial reading.”
“I can assure you there isn’t. Everything was presented as per the will.”
“Perhaps. You’re a woman, and that closes a lot of doors for you. Having someone like Graham in your corner can only help.”
“I hope you’re right.”
