Page 17 of Beauty and the Rake (Endless Love #1)

A fter one last quick meeting with the housekeeper, Roxanne hurried as quickly as she could to the drawing room.

She paused at the door and smoothed her skirt.

She had decided on a deep-emerald silk gown for the evening.

The gown had been made just before she left France.

She knew the moment she found the fabric it would be perfect for a gown she’d found on a fashion plate in Paris. Her instinct had been perfect.

Nodding to the footman to open the doors of the drawing room, Roxanne entered regally.

The men were standing around the fire and Lady Prudence sat on a dark-gold damask chair.

Even at this distance, Roxanne could tell the young girl was flirting with Graham and Arthur.

Served Graham right after the way he’d been acting toward her. It was amusing seeing him squirm.

“I apologize for being late. I had a few things to check on in the kitchen.”

“Don’t you have someone to do that for you?” Lady Prudence inquired.

“Yes, I do.”

Arthur glanced at her. “Would you care for some wine while we wait?

“Please.”

“Are you going to show the marquess and Lady Prudence some horses in the morning?” she asked Graham.

She couldn’t help but notice he was slightly uncomfortable, making her want to give him a huge grin.

Instead, for now she hid behind a mask. The evening was early, and she wanted to enjoy every morsel of it.

“Yes, and since Lady Prudence is an accomplished horsewoman, I’m going to put her on the bay.”

“That ought to be interesting. He takes a firm hand from what I learned riding him,” she said, accepting the glass of wine from her brother.

“Perhaps your riding skills are meant for something gentler,” Lady Prudence said with a smirk. Roxanne ignored her and turned to Prudence’s father. “My brother tells me you recently lost your personal mount and that he was quite old.”

“You would be correct. Pegasus was twenty-four when he died. Colic. I’ve tried some of the other horses we have, but none measure up. Pegasus was fearless. Someone could shoot a cannon next to him and he’d stand there as calm as he could be.”

“You’ll know him when you see him,” Graham said. “Something will click when you first lay eyes on him or when you first pet him. You’ll both know.”

Lady Prudence laughed. “How can he possibly know unless he rides this imaginary horse?”

“Of course, your father would ride him. That would be the final bonding,” Graham said.

“Does this phenomenon happen to everyone?” Lady Prudence asked with an unladylike snort.

“I believe there’s always some sort of bond between rider and horse. The only exception I can see is if the horse picks up on a bad trait that person holds. Some horses would be apt to let their feelings be heard by biting or being stubborn.”

Thank goodness the butler took now to announce dinner.

Roxanne was certain this conversation might not end well.

It seemed their guest had to prove everyone wrong.

Her original plan for seating was to have Arthur at the head of the table, with Lady Prudence to his right and her father on his left.

Graham was seated next to Lady Prudence and Roxanne on the marquess’s left.

Everyone took their seats and Roxanne thought everything was working out until she figured out Lady Prudence was trying to monopolize Arthur and Graham’s attention, leaving her and the marquess together.

The older gentleman was quiet, and an easy dinner companion.

Roxanne found herself enjoying talking current events.

At one moment she glanced across the table at his daughter who had been dominating the conversation she was having with Graham and Arthur.

She was staring at her with a look of fury on her face.

Evidently Roxanne had broken some silent, unspoken rule regarding her father, the marquess.

Women weren’t to speak with him. Lady Prudence was not going to have her father remarry.

If she were that selfish regarding her father, what would she be like if she found a man genuinely interested in her?

Would she remain so self-absorbed or would she finally grow out of this nasty phase of her life?

Roxanne chose to ignore her. Lady Prudence was laughing louder than some might deem appropriate for a dinner party.

She couldn’t tell who said something funny, Graham or Arthur.

Not that it mattered. This was Lady Prudence’s way of dominating the conversation.

She felt a smile cross her face as she tried to imagine what this girl would be like in the future.

If her actions weren’t curbed right now, Lady Prudence might end up a dragon lady.

It wouldn’t matter whether she married or not, she would be a domineering figure in the ton, and not in a good way.

Arthur, the ever-charming host, was attempting to be as gracious as he could be.

Her father, of course, was his guest, and Arthur attempted to respond to something the marquess said, when Lady Prudence interrupted.

Not to be swayed, she continued a conversation with Graham who was in the middle of eating the main course of lamb to try and ignore her. Poor Graham indeed.

While the men stayed behind in the dining room for cigars and port, Roxanne led Lady Prudence to the drawing room. A pot of tea awaited them. She began to pour as the younger woman looked on.

“You don’t like me, do you?” Lady Prudence said as she arranged herself on a settee.

“What would make you say something like that? I barely know you.”

Accepting a cup Roxanne handed her, she finally spoke up. It was as though she were carefully choosing her words, though Roxanne didn’t know why she would start now.

“You need to stay away from my father. He has no interest in marriage to any woman after my mother.”

Roxanne bit back a laugh as she stirred her tea. “Your father is a guest of my brother. It would be rude of me to ignore him. Second, if it’s any of your business, I am a widow, so your father and I do have that in common. We understand what the other has been through.”

“That’s what I’m for. I understand my father and his feelings. At least when he shows them.”

“Losing one’s spouse is much different than, say, losing one’s parent. To ease your mind, men rarely let their feelings show, so don’t take it as personal.”

Why she was offering advice to this horrid girl was beyond her. She probably had few friends, and now, with the passing of her mother, felt she needed to be there for her father.

“Thank you for that information. Papa’s always been a little distant, but I’ve never not been able to talk to him.”

“You’ve got a good relationship. I wouldn’t worry about him. Give yourselves time to heal.”

“I will.”

Roxanne wanted desperately to tell the young woman to quit flirting so outrageously with the men, but she imagined it would do little good.

She could only hope her father could see his daughter needed a woman, a female relative to assist him with his daughter’s social skills.

Lady Prudence desperately needed someone of the feminine sex to guide her through these important upcoming years.

The pair continued getting to know each other for the short period of time they had before the men rejoined them.

Roxanne found out she had a passion for photography, which hit home for her.

She told Lady Prudence of the equipment she had, though she said nothing about not having taken the time to use Graham’s gift.

Lady Prudence brought a camera along on her trip and was hoping she’d find some things to photograph in the country.

Roxanne offered to take her about the estate where she could make plenty of stops along the way to use her new camera.

This excited her as she had been afraid she might be limited to where she could go on the estate unless she walked, and Roxanne knew that was never happening.

After their guests retired for the evening, Arthur poured the three of them a brandy.

“I think that went well. Except perhaps the tension between Roxanne and Lady Prudence,” Arthur said, passing them both a snifter.

“I’m hoping we’ve worked it out for the most part. She’s lost her mother at a very important time in her life. She and her father are both healing.”

Graham leaned back in his chair and unfolded his long muscular legs in front of himself. “Any idea which way he’s leaning when it comes to the horses?”

“Weren’t you there in the room with us, Graham?” Arthur said with a smirk. “Too busy thinking about the ladies?”

Graham bit back a laugh. “Not that one. She’s trouble.”

Roxanne said nothing. She had said what she wanted and wouldn’t betray anyone’s trust by talking about private conversations.

“To answer your question,” Arthur drawled, “I believe you are going to be the lucky one. He’s leaning toward the gray gelding for his daughter and is quite interested in the bay stallion.”

“Excellent! That’s what I like to hear. No hard feelings?”

“The sale is not final. He may have a change of heart come tomorrow.”

“Not likely,” Graham said. He glanced over at her and with one hand, pushed his black unruly hair back.

“I think I’ll leave you two. Lots going on. Guests leaving, guests due to arrive,” Arthur said.

“Sleep well, brother,” Roxanne said as she watched her brother walk through the drawing room door.

She turned in Graham’s direction. “Thank goodness he’s gone. Now we can talk more freely.”

“I thought you didn’t want anything to do with me.”

“Quit with the dramatics, Graham. Tell me what’s going on with the babe.”

He chuckled. “She is under my protection. Since she’s so young, I’m thinking of taking her to my estate outside Leeds.”

“You’ll hire the necessary people to look after her?”

“Of course I will. I understand through my solicitor that word has reached the babe’s mother’s sisters, and they think they ought to be appointed her guardians.”

“They see money,” Roxanne said. She swirled the amber liquid left in her glass but didn’t drink. “Have you named her?”

He smiled proudly. “I didn’t think it would be appropriate to use family names, but I’ve decided to name her Mary.”

“I love it, Graham. Excellent choice. If I may ask, why did you decide to send her away, and to one of your lesser estates?”

“I’m glad you like my choice. I go to Leeds only a few times a year. Virtually no one knows I have family property in the area. So I think it’s perfect.”

“Sounds like you’ve put a lot of thought into this.”

“I have.” He glanced at the clock on the mantel. “It’s late. I best be leaving.”

They both stood, and as they did, Graham approached Roxanne. “I had a delightful time. I will see you tomorrow?”

“Yes. I suspect if these deals are finalized, they are going to want to leave for home.”

Graham arched a brow. “Yes, I imagine her father will want to be getting her back home. And I’ll bet you she’s back to her old ways tomorrow.”

“If you want to lose, you’re on. I’m quite confident she’s seen the error of her ways.” She wasn’t so sure; she agreed with Graham’s observation of the situation.

“Thank you for a lovely evening, Rox.”

“My pleasure.”

At that precise moment he took both her hands in his and pulled her closer.

She didn’t resist as they gazed into each other’s eyes.

One of his hands cupped her cheek as his lips met hers.

When he saw he was going to get no resistance from her, he deepened the kiss.

She sighed as his mouth ravished hers. He tasted like the brandy and port he’d consumed with a hint of cheroots they’d partaken in.

He loosened his grip, and the kiss ended. “I could ravish you all night.”

“Yes. I want more.”

“Soon. I don’t think tonight would be the proper thing to do,” he said and added, “but soon.”

He kissed her again. This time gently on the lips before heading out the front door.

As the door shut, Roxanne’s fingers wandered to her lips to perhaps feel where his had been. Damn you, Graham!