Page 59 of Beauty and the Rake
She began to pace her room as she contemplated what her next move should be. A discussion with her brother and Graham seemed like the best course of action. Maybe they knew things they hadn’t shared with her. It was certainly worth trying. Maybe they were or would look into the man.
There had never been a satisfactory investigation into her parents’ deaths. Whether it was because the incident happened so far from England, it was nearly impossible to get answers or after all this time it would be impossible to get any satisfactory answers, even if this Mr. Crenshaw knew something. She didn’t know, but now there was a fire inside her that wanted answers. Arthur and Graham might have notes or correspondence about the matter. If she got ahold of that, she might be able to piece parts of the puzzle together and draw her own conclusion.
What happened to their parents should have never happened. The train did not go through any hostile areas and stopped randomly along the way. At least that’s what they’d been told.
Maybe this was all an illusion. A fake scenario for something grander than what any of them knew. Graham and Arthur would probably be against her spending so much time researching the case when she had a wedding to plan. Little did they know she had much of the wedding day taken care of. At least, throughthe wedding breakfast. None of this was going to deter her from looking into Crenshaw.
Chapter Sixteen
Roxanne couldn’t haveasked for a more perfect morning. Pinks and shades of purple lit up the sky. A good soaking rain the night before had helped clear the air, making being outdoors quite pleasant. So much so that Roxanne made the decision to move the small wedding outdoors to the edge of the gardens in front of a fountain. After the ceremony, guests would be treated to a scrumptious wedding breakfast.
Afterwards, she and Hawksbury would embark on a short carriage drive to his house. She had no idea what he had planned once they arrived, but a bed was probably involved. For the remainder of the day and tomorrow there would be no interruptions. Just the two of them, locked away in the earl’s suite where they would share and enjoy getting to know each other in the most intimate way.
A wedding trip would wait until next year. There was much on Graham’s plate and planning the trip this far in advance would give them time to decide where they wished to go. It would also give Graham a chance to carve out a block of time from his busy schedule. It was ideal and she was excited thinking about it. There was so much she wanted to see. During her three years in the south of France, she hadn’t traveled far from her home.
“The priest has arrived. Would you like me to show him the spot you have chosen?” Arthur asked. He looked quite dashing in his dark-gray suit paired with a white shirt and black cravat.He would make some woman a wonderful, caring husband. Roxanne couldn’t understand why he hadn’t found a bride of his own. She planned to start looking for him. It would be easier for her to do so. But that would have to wait until she was settled in at her new home.
“I’ll come with you. Has Graham arrived yet?” she asked as they headed toward the house together.
“I believe he arrived right behind the priest.”
She smiled. “Good, we’re all here and all ready.”
Arthur took her by the elbow. “I’m so glad you and Graham found each other. You both deserve a happy ever after.”
“Thank you. Never thought I’d be marrying a former rake, but that makes it interesting.”
“Let’s go get you married.”
They walked up the steps to the terrace and found Graham and the priest talking between themselves. Both men looked up, but for entirely different reasons.
“Shall we go inside?” Graham asked, trying not to stare at her.
“With it being such a beautiful day, I thought we could marry in front of the fountain. If that’s okay with everyone.”
“Splendid idea,” Graham said.
“I concur,” Father Evans said in agreement. “It’s too perfect not to marry the two of you anywhere else.”
Everyone was present, including Arthur’s butler and housekeeper. They’d been in Arthur and Roxanne’s lives since the two were babes, and both had felt the two should be included as their witnesses. The group gathered in front of the fountain. The sky was a brilliant shade of blue with only the occasional puffy white cloud floating by. It was indeed the perfect day.
Roxanne’s voice was strong and clear as she repeated her vows, her eyes never leaving Graham’s. The world seemed to stand still as she was unaware of anyone else other thanGraham and the priest. The next moment the clergyman was pronouncing them husband and wife. Graham leaned over and kissed her firmly on the lips, the hint of a smirk as he ended their first kiss as a married couple. Turning to face their guests, they were greeted by Arthur who beamed with pride.
The appearance of a footman meant it was time for the wedding breakfast. With Roxanne’s hand on her new husband’s arm, they journeyed back into the house and to the dining room. A footman had a chair pulled out for her, and Graham helped her get situated. As soon as everyone was seated, a prayer was said and the first course of beef consommé served. The main course that followed was a favorite of Graham’s—rare roast beef with Yorkshire pudding. Vegetables were served with it. Next came a selection of cheeses rather than the usual salad course. Dessert consisted of the wedding cake made of fruit cake.
If anyone had asked her what was served, Roxanne would be unable to tell anyone. She was still in a fog and stayed that way until she and Graham left for his—no, their new home. New to her at least.
Saying goodbye and thanking Arthur turned out not to be as easy as she imagined. They had formed a close bond over the years, but especially since Casper died. He stepped in and took charge, making sure she had anything she desired and was comfortable. The difference of the young man she left when she was forced to marry Casper to the man she came back to were like night and day. He would do anything within his power for her, and she would do the same if the situation ever presented itself. She was proud to call him brother. Even though he would always live nearby, she would always miss him.
“Are you ready?” Graham finally asked.
She nodded. “Yes.”
Roxanne climbed into Graham’s waiting carriage. He followed, sitting down next to her. While he was getting settled,Roxanne waved and peered up at the structure that had been her home for a large portion of her life.
And now, today, her life had forever changed. She was a newly married woman, a countess. A woman who, in a short span of time, had gone from having disdain for her spouse to finding herself hopelessly in love with the man she had just married. She had been given a second chance at love, marriage, and life itself, and she had made a pledge to herself after she accepted Graham’s proposal that she would be the best wife and mother she possibly could be.
“Is there anywhere or anything you’d like to do over the next few days?” he asked, taking her hand.
