Page 21 of Beauty and the Rake (Endless Love #1)

If Roxanne held any chance of not being seen returning from her late-night ride, she was mistaken.

Of all people, it was Arthur she faced on the path between the stables and house.

He was dressed for riding and she hadn’t the energy from lack of sleep to get into any sort of discussion with her brother.

“I assume from the hour you keep, things did not go well.”

She shook her head. “No, Graham ended up putting the animal out of his misery.”

“Probably best, given his age.”

“I sat with him, let him remember.”

“Breakfast awaits, unless you ate already.”

“No, I haven’t.”

“I have a meeting. I’ll see you later.”

“Men and their meetings,” she sighed with a grin.

She heard Arthur’s footfalls grow faint and swore she heard him chuckle as he walked.

Roxanne walked through the door of the bustling kitchen.

As she made her way across the room, she caught the eye of one of the young girls and asked her to have a fresh pot of tea brought to the breakfast room.

Though she was exhausted from lack of sleep the night before, she was determined to have something to eat.

It would also give her a chance to glance through the newspapers.

Then and only then would she gather herself up and retire to her rooms for a hot bath and change of clothes.

The breakfast room was quiet as it normally was.

It was one of her favorite rooms in the house because she could look out over a meadow where she loved to ride when she didn’t want to wander too far into the estate.

She made her way to the sideboard and picked up a porcelain plate and chose toast and marmalade.

Once she was settled in, she picked up one of the papers and began scanning the page for anything which might be of interest to her.

She smiled to herself and shook her head.

This was how she spent her breakfasts when married.

Alone. She had grown used to it, the solitude she faced.

One day she hoped things would change but for now, she accepted what hand she had been dealt.

Her mind wandered to Graham and the intimacy the two of them shared after all these years. There was a deep attraction, and neither could deny it. It certainly was not a one-time thing. There was something more and they were both going to have to stop making excuses for their obvious feelings.

She picked up a piece of toast and spread marmalade on it. As she took a bite, the butler entered the room. He carried with him a large bouquet of assorted flowers. He handed her a sealed envelope. “These just arrived for you. I’ll have them placed in water.”

“They are gorgeous. Have them placed in the drawing room so everyone can enjoy them.”

The man nodded and turned and left her to read the note in privacy.

She already knew the flowers were from Graham because she had seen these exact flowers at his estate and had remarked to him how lovely they were.

After rereading the note, she slipped the letter into the pocket of her skirt.

She would send him a note thanking him for the flowers. It would be rude to do otherwise.

Her thoughts turned to Graham’s daughter.

If things were to progress, what would happen?

Would she be expected to help raise the child as her own?

Questions flooded her head. What had his people been able to find out?

Would the babe go off to live with her mother’s family, or would she stay to be raised as an earl’s daughter? This needed to be addressed and soon.

Roxanne had always wanted more children, but after her son and his defects that led him to an asylum, she had closed the door to any further children. Her husband refused to share a bed with her after Thomas’s birth. In Casper’s eyes, she had been responsible in bearing a devil’s child.

“It’s awfully early to be so deep in thought,” a voice behind her said.

Turning in her chair, Roxanne noted her aunt Violet standing in the doorway. Her aunt was still a striking woman despite her advancing years. Though her hair was light as snow and her face carried more lines than previously, Violet continued to carry herself as the regal woman she always had been.

“Good morning. Please join me,” Roxanne said.

Violet walked toward the sideboard and instructed the footman what she wanted before turning and sitting at the table.

“Beautiful day, isn’t it?”

A pang of guilt swept over Roxanne. How could she have been so negligent of her dear aunt? “It is. Is there anything you’d like to do today?” She watched as her aunt began to thoughtfully smear marmalade on a piece of toast.

“You don’t have to entertain me, Rox. I can keep myself amused if needed.”

“I wouldn’t be much of a hostess if I did such a thing. I simply wasn’t sure how tired you’d be after your journey. I know you tire easily after long distances such as this. I simply didn’t want you to feel forced to do anything if you indeed needed more time to recover.”

“I’ll be fine just taking a walk or something simple like that.”

“I have a couple of things to go over with the housekeeper and answer a couple of letters. Then I’ll be free.”

“I need to tend to some letters myself as well. When should we meet and where?”

Roxanne smiled. “Two hours in the drawing room?”

“Perfect.”

Two hours went faster than Roxanne anticipated, but she was finding she could accomplish quite a lot—a lot more than she first believed when she accepted Arthur’s offer.

Remembering something she picked up in Paris for her aunt, she returned to her rooms to get the new embroidery threads.

She remembered when she was choosing colors for herself that her aunt loved to embroider and was quite good at it.

Besides, Violet rarely bought anything for herself.

Not that she and her uncle couldn’t afford luxuries like that.

That wasn’t a problem. Her aunt always put others above herself.

“This is for you,” Roxanne said as she handed a small parcel wrapped in tissue.

“You didn’t need to go to any trouble,” Violet replied, accepting the package and studying it intently.

“I can assure you it was no trouble at all. I was in Paris for a couple of days. I wanted to shop, of course, and saw these and couldn’t resist.”

Violet began ripping the tissue from a small bundle, squealing in delight as she laid eyes on the threads for the very first time. She picked up a dark green from the top of the pile and fingered it. “These are exquisite. Thank you.”

“I’ll give you the name and address of the shop. You may want to visit them while you’re in Paris.”

“I would be most appreciative.”

“I’ll give you the other shops for dresses and such. They are willing to ship your purchases to you.”

Placing the threads to one side, Violet nodded at Roxanne’s statement. “That is good to know. I’m hoping we’ll be there long enough so I can be fitted with one or two new dresses.”

“You deserve it.”

“I can’t believe I haven’t ever been to Paris, though. My father believed women didn’t need to travel to faraway places and that they should be satisfied with staying close to home.”

“Well, Uncle Charles is changing all that. Take advantage of every stop you make and embrace everything a city has to offer.”

“I plan on that,” Violet said with a huge smile.

“Good.”

“You deserve a chance at marital happiness, Roxanne. Someone who will be your equal. Someone who will encourage you. Someone who’s a great listener.”

Roxanne grinned. “It might be difficult to find a man like that.”

“He’s out there. I know you don’t want to remain a widow for the rest of your life.”

“No, I don’t, but I’ll accept whatever hand I’m dealt.”

Violet arched a brow. “I’ve never known you to be someone who doesn’t fight for what they want. Someone who simply settles.”

“You ought to have endured what I had to when I was married to Casper.”

“I can only imagine, but you’ve got to move on. It’s been years now. This is your time, Rox.”

“I know, and I’m trying hard to do that.”

“While you’re searching for a bride for your brother, why don’t you eye the eligible men?”

“I’ve been trying just that. That’s easier than trying to find a bride. I suppose once we return to London I’ll be able to work more at what young ladies are available.”

“True. Have you thought of hosting a country ball or house party?”

“It had crossed my mind, though a house party is something for the future.”

“Then a ball it is! I wish I could be here for it, but I know you’ll do splendidly.”

Roxanne watched her aunt as she continued to examine each skein of thread in the basket next to her. “I wish you could be here as well.”

*

Her uncle and aunt’s time seemed to fly by.

Charles had not given them much chance to stay because he and Violet were excited about the next leg of their adventure, the Continent.

It was only after she persuaded their uncle to spend some time upon their return to England that her aunt agreed because she felt, given the time, there would be many changes by the time they returned.

After seeing them off, Roxanne headed to the rose garden to pick some blooms. She hadn’t been able to spend time alone with Graham and she was anxious to find out how his young charge was doing.