Page 30 of Beauty and the Rake (Endless Love #1)

R oxanne couldn’t have asked for a more perfect morning.

Pinks and shades of purple lit up the sky.

A good soaking rain the night before had helped clear the air, making being outdoors quite pleasant.

So much so that Roxanne made the decision to move the small wedding outdoors to the edge of the gardens in front of a fountain.

After the ceremony, guests would be treated to a scrumptious wedding breakfast.

Afterwards, she and Hawksbury would embark on a short carriage drive to his house.

She had no idea what he had planned once they arrived, but a bed was probably involved.

For the remainder of the day and tomorrow there would be no interruptions.

Just the two of them, locked away in the earl’s suite where they would share and enjoy getting to know each other in the most intimate way.

A wedding trip would wait until next year.

There was much on Graham’s plate and planning the trip this far in advance would give them time to decide where they wished to go.

It would also give Graham a chance to carve out a block of time from his busy schedule.

It was ideal and she was excited thinking about it.

There was so much she wanted to see. During her three years in the south of France, she hadn’t traveled far from her home.

“The priest has arrived. Would you like me to show him the spot you have chosen?” Arthur asked.

He looked quite dashing in his dark-gray suit paired with a white shirt and black cravat.

He would make some woman a wonderful, caring husband.

Roxanne couldn’t understand why he hadn’t found a bride of his own.

She planned to start looking for him. It would be easier for her to do so.

But that would have to wait until she was settled in at her new home.

“I’ll come with you. Has Graham arrived yet?” she asked as they headed toward the house together.

“I believe he arrived right behind the priest.”

She smiled. “Good, we’re all here and all ready.”

Arthur took her by the elbow. “I’m so glad you and Graham found each other. You both deserve a happy ever after.”

“Thank you. Never thought I’d be marrying a former rake, but that makes it interesting.”

“Let’s go get you married.”

They walked up the steps to the terrace and found Graham and the priest talking between themselves. Both men looked up, but for entirely different reasons.

“Shall we go inside?” Graham asked, trying not to stare at her.

“With it being such a beautiful day, I thought we could marry in front of the fountain. If that’s okay with everyone.”

“Splendid idea,” Graham said.

“I concur,” Father Evans said in agreement. “It’s too perfect not to marry the two of you anywhere else.”

Everyone was present, including Arthur’s butler and housekeeper.

They’d been in Arthur and Roxanne’s lives since the two were babes, and both had felt the two should be included as their witnesses.

The group gathered in front of the fountain.

The sky was a brilliant shade of blue with only the occasional puffy white cloud floating by. It was indeed the perfect day.

Roxanne’s voice was strong and clear as she repeated her vows, her eyes never leaving Graham’s.

The world seemed to stand still as she was unaware of anyone else other than Graham and the priest. The next moment the clergyman was pronouncing them husband and wife.

Graham leaned over and kissed her firmly on the lips, the hint of a smirk as he ended their first kiss as a married couple.

Turning to face their guests, they were greeted by Arthur who beamed with pride.

The appearance of a footman meant it was time for the wedding breakfast. With Roxanne’s hand on her new husband’s arm, they journeyed back into the house and to the dining room.

A footman had a chair pulled out for her, and Graham helped her get situated.

As soon as everyone was seated, a prayer was said and the first course of beef consommé served.

The main course that followed was a favorite of Graham’s—rare roast beef with Yorkshire pudding.

Vegetables were served with it. Next came a selection of cheeses rather than the usual salad course.

Dessert consisted of the wedding cake made of fruit cake.

If anyone had asked her what was served, Roxanne would be unable to tell anyone. She was still in a fog and stayed that way until she and Graham left for his—no, their new home. New to her at least.

Saying goodbye and thanking Arthur turned out not to be as easy as she imagined.

They had formed a close bond over the years, but especially since Casper died.

He stepped in and took charge, making sure she had anything she desired and was comfortable.

The difference of the young man she left when she was forced to marry Casper to the man she came back to were like night and day.

He would do anything within his power for her, and she would do the same if the situation ever presented itself.

She was proud to call him brother. Even though he would always live nearby, she would always miss him.

“Are you ready?” Graham finally asked.

She nodded. “Yes.”

Roxanne climbed into Graham’s waiting carriage. He followed, sitting down next to her. While he was getting settled, Roxanne waved and peered up at the structure that had been her home for a large portion of her life.

And now, today, her life had forever changed.

She was a newly married woman, a countess.

A woman who, in a short span of time, had gone from having disdain for her spouse to finding herself hopelessly in love with the man she had just married.

She had been given a second chance at love, marriage, and life itself, and she had made a pledge to herself after she accepted Graham’s proposal that she would be the best wife and mother she possibly could be.

“Is there anywhere or anything you’d like to do over the next few days?” he asked, taking her hand.

She felt herself flush. Now why was she acting like a virgin bride? She and Graham had been intimately involved, so what was this about?

Graham caught her face, which had reddened, and barked out a laugh. “Besides the obvious.”

“Um, no. Nothing comes to mind now, and it would depend on how much time you have.”

The pad of his thumb drew circles on her cheek. “I have all the time in the world for you.”

“Flattery will get you everything.”

He arched a brow and smiled. “That’s what I was hoping.”

“You certainly are full of yourself today.”

“That’s because I just married the woman of my dreams. I never thought this day would come.”

The carriage slowed and turned into the short drive of Roxanne’s new home.

As the vehicle came to a stop and the door opened, she noted the staff was lined up for her to meet.

She was the countess and woman of the house, and she knew it would take a while to settle in.

Names of the staff would come to her in time.

She imagined some of them might be as nervous as she was.

Graham stepped out of the carriage and waited for her.

He took her outstretched hand and helped her from the carriage where he led her a short distance to where everyone was waiting.

He started by introducing Roxanne and then, with the aid of the butler, began to walk and greet staff members.

It went better than he imagined, and he noticed his bride listening closely as the butler gave her a description of what each staff member did.

Looking around the reception hall, Roxanne tried to take in details she might need later.

No expense had been spared when the house was built, and she knew only the best was chosen.

She looked around for Graham who was in discussion with the butler and housekeeper.

Whatever they were discussing didn’t seem dire.

She figured he was just going over details of the next couple of days.

He walked across the hall to where she stood. “I was just going over dinner and details. Would you care to go upstairs?”

“Yes, it’s been a long day and it’s barely past noon.”

He placed his hand on her elbow and led her up the grand staircase to the family rooms. They continued to the next level where the family bed chambers were. Leading her down the hall, he stopped in front of what was her suite. “Would you like to freshen up?”

“I would like to change into something more comfortable.” She could tell he understood her meaning and tried not to smile.

“I’ll be in my rooms. Just enter through the adjoining door when you’re ready.” With that, he opened the door, then kissed her as she began to pass by him.

She slipped out of her shoes and walked about the room.

It was quiet, but she had given her lady’s maid two days off.

Unheard of, but she didn’t want to chance her and Graham’s intimacy being disturbed or seen by anyone.

This was their time, and since they were postponing their wedding trip, they needed as much time alone as they could possibly manage.

She made her way to the dressing room and undressed.

She picked up a gown and nightrail her maid had put aside while she was unpacking Roxanne’s clothes while the wedding was going on.

She put it on and looked into the mirror.

The gown was off-white and was prettier than she remembered.

She nodded, giving her approval to the woman in the mirror.

Sitting down at her vanity, she unpinned her hair, and, deciding to wear it loose, she picked up the brush and began to brush it.

Applying some perfume and adding some rouge to her lips, Roxanne decided she was happy with what stared back at her, though she silently cursed her sweaty palms. She dried them off with a towel and rose from her chair.