Page 25 of Beauty and the Rake (Endless Love #1)

R oxanne was glad to be back in London. The country estates were equally wonderful, but London had so much to offer, including shops a village wouldn’t have.

She hadn’t seen either her brother or Graham since they hit town yesterday.

Not during the day. She knew they had business affairs to attend to and Graham would be seeing the bishop about getting a special license.

She had an appointment with her dressmaker today, and hopefully something could be whipped up for her wedding or the woman might have something in stock.

That alone would set the tone for when they’d marry.

She was hoping for Thursday, but if it was impossible to pull off, they would marry the following Tuesday or Wednesday.

So much to do and her list just kept getting longer.

There wouldn’t be a large number of people invited; in fact, outside of Arthur, there was no one.

That was fine with her because that was what she truly wanted. Something small and intimate.

There was much to be done once they were wed.

She and Graham needed to have a discussion about what he expected.

Baby Mary came to mind. Another thing to be discussed.

Would she raise the child alongside Graham as their own?

Would they at some point tell her the truth about her birth mother?

Graham had discussed perhaps telling people she was the daughter of a cousin who, because of his cousin’s sudden and unexpected death had left the infant under his protection.

Yes, they needed to have the matter settled quickly.

Though she wasn’t going to redecorate until after she settled into Graham’s residences, Roxanne decided to begin to make notes of what she wanted to change, colors, carpets, wallpapers, and furnishings.

She would try and write down things she found in shops, perhaps bring samples home.

Graham had already mentioned speaking to the gardener about letting her have a bed so she could grow what she wanted.

He was also giving her an older greenhouse to use.

Once she cleaned it, she could use the greenhouse to grow startups and seedlings.

It wouldn’t happen overnight, but the idea of having space of her own made her happy.

And another new project she was going to have to learn to be efficient in was all that photography equipment he’d purchased for her when he first found out what drew her to go beyond painting.

Though she was adequate at painting certain things, she never felt she’d captured the essence of her subjects.

In her mind, there had to be a connection.

She arrived at the dressmaker for her appointment with lots of ideas and expectations.

While she waited on Mrs. Levi, Roxanne admired some of the new fabrics placed on a table.

She wanted the gown to be something she could use again.

Something elegant but practical. A deep-plum silk fabric caught her eye.

She could see herself in it, perhaps with lavender for piping.

First, though, she needed to study some of the many fashion plates to find something similar to what she’d sketched a few days prior to leaving for London.

Studying a fashion plate with a recent design from Paris, she sighed. It was a style she loved but knew in the back of her mind that it was not one that looked very flattering on her body type. There were too many ruffles. She needed a dress that wasn’t so exaggerated.

“Your note said you needed something for a special occasion,” Mrs. Levi said as she approached Roxanne.

The dressmaker was, as usual, dressed impeccably, not a hair out of place.

She had lived in London for ten years and stayed after her husband suddenly died.

The woman was quite popular and sometimes it took weeks to garner a time slot.

She studied the woman for a moment. “I need something I can use as not only my wedding dress, but also for other occasions.”

“You’re going to be a bride? How wonderful! Who is the lucky man? And when is the wedding?” Mrs. Levi said in a rapid-fire response.

“The groom is the Earl of Otley, and no date has been set until he obtains a special license, which he is off doing as we speak.”

“You snagged one of the most sought-after rakes in London?”

“I don’t know if snagged is the proper term to use. I’ve known the earl since we were children. I have never known the rakish side of him. Not really, but I will say he’s settled as he’s gotten older.”

Mrs. Levi cocked her head. “Let me check in the back. There is a dress that was canceled by the lady, and I think it would be perfect.”

“What about making one?”

“I’m short staffed and I doubt I could have it ready in time.”

“Very well. Bring it on,” Roxanne replied.

She watched as the proprietress hurried out of the room.

This wasn’t what she planned but understood the woman’s dilemma.

Roxanne knew Graham wouldn’t accept putting off their wedding because of a dress.

That would be selfish on her part. She would see if what the dressmaker had might suffice.

She gazed up to where Mrs. Levi had disappeared and saw her with a dress in one hand, the other hand beckoning her. Roxanne walked across the shop. The dress in Mrs. Levi’s arm was a deep mauve color with black piping. Mrs. Levi placed the gown on a table as she tried to sell it to Roxanne.

She had to admit, it was a beautiful dress and worth her further attention. “I like it, though I’m not sold on the color.”

“Come with me,” she said as she began walking in the direction of her workroom.

Undressing and redressing was a ritual women had to endure. She peered at the woman staring back at her in the mirror. The dress would need a few alterations. Mrs. Levi clapped her hands as she admired the transformation. “I have to admit I love the design.”

“It looks as though it was made for you. Stunning.”

“You really think so?” she asked as she turned around in front of the mirror.

“Yes.”

The woman seemed to recognize her hesitation. “What’s wrong?”

Roxanne stood in front of the glass. “You know what? I believe you’re right. This dress was meant for me. Though I had something else in mind, this one is simply perfection.”

“Wonderful. Is there anything else?”

“Yes, I need everything. I want all my undergarments new. I’m starting a new chapter of my life, and I deserve new.”

“Agreed,” she said. “Let’s take care of what will need to be altered and then we can look through the undergarments I keep readymade.”

After finding everything she needed or wanted, Roxanne settled up with Mrs. Levi, with the dress being delivered the following afternoon for a last fitting. Roxanne felt like a great weight had been taken off her shoulders and there was one less item on her list.

Before she went home, she made the rounds of some other shops. One was a bookshop she remembered Arthur and Graham frequented since their time at university. She needed a wedding present for Graham and since he loved books, especially old ones, she decided to see if the shop might have something.

Entering the shop, she found it quiet.

“May I help you, milady?” The man was the son of the proprietor and knew books even better than his father. He was of average height, with glasses and balding hair. He fit his shop perfectly.

“I’m looking for a gift. A wedding gift for my betrothed.”

“Do you know what he likes to read?”

She smiled. “Yes, but you may know his tastes better than I. He and my brother have been coming here for years. The Earl of Otley?”

“Oh yes. The earl is quite the rare book collector. Shakespeare is the top of his list,” he replied. “I do have a first edition of The Tempest .”

“That would be a wise choice because I know he has one shelf in his library dedicated to Shakespeare.”

“This is one he’s been searching for, and this particular one is in excellent condition. Let me go in the back and get it. I’ve been keeping it there in case he came by.”

She watched as the man disappeared and returned with a cloth-covered leather-bound book. He unwrapped it and pushed it across the counter for her inspection.

“You’re right, it is in superb condition. It’s been well taken care of.” She looked up at him. “I’ll take it.”

“Excellent choice. It’s the best I have to offer at the moment.”

“Can you send the bill to my brother? I don’t need the earl paying for his own gift.”

“No, you can’t. Just let me wrap it for you unless you have some more books in mind.”

“Just the one for today.” She glanced out the window and noticed how the sky was changing to a menacing dark gray. She needed to get back to Jameson House before the rain set in. Turning back around, she found the proprietor coming out of the back room, his hands full with a package.

“Here you are,” he said.

“Thank you.” She took the package from him. “I know he’s going to love it.”

Heading outside to her waiting carriage, Roxanne felt the first few drops of rain hitting her face as she ascended the steps.

Today had been successful, and it was time to return home.

She wasn’t one of those women who spend an entire day shopping.

The meager funds Casper provided her as pin money had been so dismal.

If there was something she really wanted to purchase, she would have to save for it, and by the time she had the funds the item was usually sold out.

Now she could be as frugal or extravagant as she wanted.

It just made her feel good knowing she had a choice.

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