Page 10 of Beauty and the Rake (Endless Love #1)

R oxanne had seen no reason to mention the stranger nor the possibility he had been following her to her brother.

They were en route to Graham’s for dinner and the subject would be best broached with their host since Graham had indeed rescued her.

Somehow, sometime this evening she would approach her brother about a short holiday in Wight.

She knew she’d be more at ease knowing Arthur would be accompanying her, but if need be, she would go alone.

It wouldn’t be the first time. She had, after all, traveled all the way from the south of France to London alone.

Widowhood allowed her to make the journey alone.

No sooner had they entered the grand hall of Graham’s home than their host appeared to greet them.

Pleasantries were exchanged before Graham led them to the drawing room.

Roxanne glanced about the room. It was done in a deep shade of red with a wall covering that complemented the décor.

Gold, deep red, and cream damask furniture fit the room perfectly.

Graham poured both himself and Arthur a whiskey and Roxanne a glass of red wine. “I’m so glad you came. I’m not much on hosting anything, not even dinner with friends.”

“You need to do it more often,” she said as she accepted the glass.

A grin crossed his face. “Perhaps I will.”

He then arched a brow, giving her what she assumed was a signal that they needed to tell Arthur about the incident earlier that afternoon. “Roxanne, why don’t you tell Arthur about what happened this afternoon.”

“What happened?” Arthur said, looking between his sister and Graham.

“A man approached me in the bookshop. He randomly came up to me while I was trying to finish a transaction and began talking to me.”

Arthur took a swallow of whiskey. “Why do I sense there is more to this than you’ve told me?”

“There is. He tried to force me to have tea with him. I began to leave; I was outside, and Graham appeared. If he hadn’t, I don’t know what I’d have done.”

“I’m sure you would have figured something out. You always do.”

“He tried following us,” Graham added. “I brought her home through the kitchens to try and throw whoever this man was off.”

“Thank you,” Arthur said.

“I think he may be someone my late husband’s family hired.”

“Why?” Arthur asked.

“Word got out that I’m not living in the house Casper left me. He’s trying to find out everything he can about where I am and what I am up to.”

“Interesting.”

“Do you think you should have your man look into it?” Roxanne asked.

“I’ll request a meeting with him and see what he suggests.”

“I think that’s a wise move,” Graham said dryly. “It was unnerving for Roxanne.”

Arthur turned to his sister. “Don’t worry about it. I’ll have the matter looked into.”

“Thank you. I’ll feel much better knowing who hired him.”

At that point the butler popped his head in the room after knocking and announced dinner was ready. The trio walked into the dining room together. A long mahogany table sat in the center of a room of gold and cream.

A footman pulled out a chair and Roxanne sat, noting she was to Graham’s right. Since there were only the three of them, options were limited. Roxanne wondered if Graham used the room when alone or if he dined in a breakfast room or perhaps even his study.

Soup was served as soon as everyone was settled.

Roxanne peered into the bowl as the footman placed it in front of her.

Squash soup. Popular with the aristocracy but not one of Roxanne’s favorites.

Still, she politely tasted it and consumed several spoonsful.

There would be many more courses, and no one wanted to fill up on the first one.

She decided to approach the subject of a holiday on the Isle of Wight now.

“Arthur, I had a letter from Pamela. She’s staying with Georgiana on Wight and has invited me to join them.

Since we’ve discussed the fact that you need a holiday out of the city, I thought this would be perfect.

We could stay at a hotel for a week or two, then head to the country.

I think you’ll find the sea air a big help. ”

She didn’t have to wait long for a reply. He set his soup spoon on the plate which held the bowl of soup. “If you want to go visit with your friends, go. I plan on leaving for the estate by week’s end. The seaside does not interest me. Not at the present time.”

“But…”

“Enough. You’re a widow, a dowager countess. It is much easier for you to travel without a man to accompany you. You do not need me to go with you.”

Turning to Graham, she posed a question. “What do you think? Should I go alone or go on to the country with my brother?”

Graham’s eyes had a twinkle to them. He knew exactly what she was hoping to accomplish. “Don’t bring me into this. I have no opinion on the matter, nor should I. This is between you and Arthur.”

She blew out a breath, frustrated. Men! They stuck together no matter what. “I should have expected this.”

“Expected what?” Graham asked with a smirk on his lips.

Lucious lips, is what Roxanne always thought.

For a second, she wondered how they would feel and taste on top of hers.

That could never and would never be. He might be cordial and a gentleman, but there was still a cheeky rake that waited in the background for the perfect situation to come to life.

“The answer I got. Very well, I’ll go by myself.”

“I could accompany you. I need to go check on a project near Brighton. I could take you as far as you can go before taking a ride to get over to Wight.”

“I appreciate the offer, but I can make it to Wight on my own.”

Graham nodded but didn’t say another word or try to change her mind. She saw him cast a glance at her brother. The two of them were probably in this, thick as thieves.

“Do you know how long you’ll be in Wight?” Arthur inquired. “I had a missive from Uncle Charles that he and Aunt Violet would like to drop by the estate for a visit on their way to Dover.”

Her agreement with Arthur had been to hostess social events when she returned from France. “Do you know exactly when they’ll arrive? I’ll make my plans around their arrival.”

“I’ll check when we return home. I know Uncle Charles gave me a time frame.”

A smile crossed her face. It would be good to see their mother’s sister and her husband.

As they had, until recently, lived in India, a visit was always most welcome.

It was where her parents were going when they were mysteriously killed.

Murdered. Her aunt and uncle had returned to their home on the border of Scotland while she was still in France.

Roxanne figured she hadn’t seen them since her wedding to Casper.

“It will be good to see them.”

“Yes, it will,” Arthur agreed.

Dinner progressed without another incident.

Roxanne was impressed with Graham’s cook.

The dishes served were quite amazing, not only in presentation, but taste.

She knew he was trying to impress her. For a moment she wondered if perhaps he had hired a more experienced cook for the evening because a lot of what was being served was a bit more sophisticated and complex than one’s everyday cook might prepare.

She decided not to broach the subject because that would only encourage Graham, and she truly only wanted to enjoy the meal and not get into a deep discussion about any of it.

She knew he was waiting on her to do just that.

Roxanne was having no part of it. Besides, frustrating him was more fun to watch.

Once dinner was finished, Roxanne started to excuse herself and take tea alone in the drawing room, leaving the men to the port and cigars.

It was a ritual she never understood other than it was a time for men to have times without the women and allowed them to speak of subjects too intense for delicate feminine ears.

“Please, Rox, there is something I need to tell both you and Arthur. It’s of a personal matter, and I need your opinion and suggestions,” Graham said.

He rose from his chair and walked to a sideboard and picked up another glass.

He poured a splash of port into it and handed it to Roxanne before returning to his chair.

He picked up his own port and downed it in one long swallow.

“I had a surprise recently. It was completely out of the blue. The butler went to answer the door and when he did, he found a basket with a newborn baby girl.”

“This isn’t the babe…” Arthur began to ask. He stopped to let Graham reply.

He turned to Roxanne who was eyeing him carefully.

He wondered what she was thinking at this very moment.

Clearing his throat, he continued. “I’ve had a mistress for the past couple of years.

I had ended things with her and never knew she was with child.

I understand she was going to go to her sister’s to have the child. She changed her mind.”

“You weren’t expecting her to drop off the child for you to raise?”

“No.”

“Have you thought about a foundling home or know of a childless couple who might raise her as their own?” Arthur asked.

“No one comes to mind, and no, she won’t go to an orphanage.”

“Graham, you’re a bachelor. People will talk as soon as they learn you’re raising a child,” Roxanne said.

“Let them talk. I had thought to say her parents died. She was my cousin. Something like that.”

Arthur swirled his port thoughtfully. “Have you spoken to your solicitor about this?”

“No, I wanted to talk with the two of you about it.”

Roxanne grinned ever so slightly. She loved seeing him dazed like this. “You’ve certainly gotten yourself in a predicament.”

“What do you suggest I do?”

“See your solicitor first. If you’re going to raise her yourself, you’ll need the mother to sign her over.

That protects you. My only other suggestion would be to raise her at one of your estates.

At least for the first couple of years. One close enough you can go visit the child.

” She sipped her port and watched his face.

He nodded. “Would you like to see her? She’s not much to look at right now, as newborns seldom are.”

“She’s here?” Roxane exclaimed.

“Yes, she’s in the nursery. I’ve hired a wet nurse and another woman to help with her.”

“Perhaps another time,” Roxanne replied.

“I would have thought you would have sent her on to the country,” Arthur said.

“No. Nothing happens until I’ve seen my man.”

Roxanne finished her port and set the glass back down on the table with a large thunk. “You’re positive she’s your child?”

“Yes. Let me mention something I’ve been thinking about. What if I do find a couple willing to take her? What’s to say I’ll ever marry or if I do, wonder if my wife cannot have children? This child wouldn’t know who I am, and I would have no heir.”

“I’m afraid it isn’t the first time a quandary like this has happened,” Arthur said.

“Yes, I’m aware.”

“See what your solicitor says first. If you wish to continue the discussion with Arthur and me, let us know.”

“Thank you both,” Graham said.

She and Arthur didn’t stay long after that.

Her brother feigned an early morning meeting.

Roxanne made a point to thank Graham for a delicious dinner to which he thanked her, telling her how he looked forward to seeing her again.

Simply nodding her head, she slipped past him to the waiting carriage.

The ride home was quiet and once inside the house, she made her announcement. “I’m going to leave for Wight in two days’ time. If we haven’t heard back when Uncle Charles will arrive, you may get word to me as soon as you do.”

“Very well. Do you think a fortnight will be enough time to visit with your friends?” he asked.

“I’ll make it work, and thank you, brother. I look forward to seeing our relatives.”

“As do I. It’s been a while since we’ve had company.”

“It has.”

“Graham is quite befuddled about this baby, isn’t he?” Roxanne said with a laugh. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen him unable to make a decision.”

“This is different. This is his daughter, bastard or not. He wants to do right by the girl. Giving her to someone else to raise is going to be a hard decision, if that’s what he’s left with.”

“True. I guess now it’s dependent on what his solicitor advises,” Roxanne said.

“Yes. It’s late. I’m going to bed.” She stood on tiptoe and kissed him on the cheek. The scent of the cigar he had and the port still lingered. The combination brought memories back of their father. “Good night.”