Page 27 of Beauty and the Rake (Endless Love #1)
“So it’s not a play toy like some who purchase for personal use.”
“Graham’s not that egotistical. At least I don’t think he is.” Arthur chuckled. “Never say never, though I will say he researches his purchases in quite the detail, and buying a steam ship for his leisure would take a lot of researching.”
“Do you know if he was able to see the bishop and obtain the license?”
“I thought you weren’t in a hurry to remarry?” he teased.
Picking up her teacup, she placed it back on the tray. “I made an exception. Now could you please answer my question?”
He loved to tease her, always had, and he wasn’t going to quit anytime soon. Something he and Graham shared, especially when he was younger. “Why don’t you ask him yourself? I invited him to dinner tonight.”
Roxanne used the moment to put on her most exasperated face and sighed. “Why didn’t you say so?”
“You didn’t ask,” came the reply.
“Excellent. Have you informed Cook of the addition?”
“Yes, I have. Do you really think I want to hear the wrath of the woman if I forgot something like that? I know she can usually be accommodating but would rather avoid her annoyance with me.”
“I know you would. Doing so might cut off your favor with her. No more favorite sweets made especially for you. At least until she got over her anger with you.”
She knew she had him boxed in because he refused to agree or disagree with her statement, so instead he changed the subject.
“Did you have a good day?”
“Yes, but with the weather changing like it did, I never finished everything I needed to do. I do have a dress and my dressmaker is going to hurry with the alterations so she can bring it to me for a final fitting,” she said, knowing Arthur really had no interest in details women might have in answer to a question.
He had better learn, because at some time he would marry, and listening would be a virtue his bride would appreciate. At least at first.
“I’m glad the woman can work miracles on such short notice.”
“That’s why she’s one of the best.”
Arthur set his plate down, picked up his teacup, and swallowed the remaining contents. “I hate to leave such delightful conversation, but I need to take care of some matters in my study.”
“I always enjoy a good verbal sparring with you, dear brother. I will see you right before dinner.” He rose to his full height, looking down at her. Nodding with a smirk, he disappeared from the room, leaving Roxanne alone once more.
Nothing would delight her more than to be a fly on the wall so she could hear and observe everything that went on in that sacred male room. Their father had used it as his sanctuary like most men, and she imagined Arthur and probably Graham would as well.
*
When Roxanne stepped into the drawing room a few hours later, instead of Arthur and Graham being present to greet her, she was confronted with an empty room.
Shaking her head, she found a favorite cream damask chair near the fire and sank into it.
They were probably in Arthur’s study discussing something they didn’t want her to hear.
Since they were in business together on a couple of projects, that was probably why they were locked away.
Typically, discussion such as this was put aside until later in the evening, but the two of them obviously could not put it away until after dinner.
Upon hearing the door open, she looked in the direction of the thick doors. Expecting to see Graham and Arthur, she was disappointed to find the butler coming closer and carrying a letter.
“Where are Hawksbury and Arthur?” she asked.
“His Grace asked me to inform you that something important came up and they had to tend to it. Hawksbury asked me to give you this.”
Roxanne accepted the letter. “Thank you. I’ll take dinner in the dining room as planned. Let me know when dinner is ready.”
“It is ready whenever you are, milady.”
“Then let’s go.”
She held on to the letter, rose to her feet, and followed the man to the dining room. Though she had wanted to see Graham, the most she could hope for now was this. Dinner alone in the cavernous room. A room that had seen its fair share of family, friends, and dignitaries over the decades.
Roxanne sat down at the end of the table where her brother usually sat.
As she waited for the first course to be served, she took a glance at the letter the butler had given her moments ago.
She opened it and scanned its contents. Graham apologized for the last-minute cancellation for dinner, and he promised to make it up to her.
He went on to tell her he had an appointment to obtain the special license from the bishop in the morning.
She pulled herself away from the letter and laid it to one side as a footman set a bowl of asparagus soup before her. Picking up her spoon, she tasted the warm, creamy liquid. It was one of her favorites, and Cook always did an excellent job.
In between courses, Roxanne tried to read the rest of Graham’s letter.
Besides meeting with the bishop, he mentioned he would call on her tomorrow afternoon so they might visit his house so she could visit with Mary, and she could have a walk through the house.
Of course, he ended the letter with flowery words and his undying love.
She ought to be angry with them both but found she couldn’t be.
At least he’d taken the time to inform her of what was going on and why he and Arthur hadn’t shown up.
Most men wouldn’t go to the trouble to sit and write their wives to let them know what was going on.
No, Graham was unique. She hoped that wouldn’t fade after they wed.
Finished with dinner, Roxanne sat back in her chair for a moment. She’d tried everything presented to her as she didn’t wish to insult the cook since dinner had gone from three to one.
Retiring to the drawing room, she declined tea, instead choosing a glass of brandy.
She certainly deserved it, and after pouring a snifter with the deep gold liquid, Roxanne walked over to her favorite place to watch the weather and gardens.
The French doors let in much needed light even during the dark cloudy days or storms like today.
Though the rain had finally let up, Roxanne noted lightning on the horizon.
Glass in hand, she took a sip of brandy before turning and walking out of the room. It had been a long day, and she would finish it off with time for herself.