Page 8 of Beauty and the Rake (Endless Love #1)

“H awksbury has invited us to dinner this evening,” Arthur said. He walked across the room where Roxanne was seated near the windows, a book in her hands.

“Have you replied?”

“No, I wanted to check with you first.”

Roxanne arched a brow before responding. “I have nothing planned. Do you?”

He shook his head. A wayward strand of dark brown hair fell into one of his eyes and she watched as he pushed it back into place. “He would like us there at seven.”

“I’ll be ready.”

“What are you reading?” Arthur inquired.

“Keats.”

“I like Keats. Excellent choice.”

“I wrote to my friend, Georgiana. She and her family are on holiday on Wight. She has invited us to visit.”

“I don’t think I can get away that long.”

“Come now, brother, we need to get out of the stench of a city for a while. Wight would be perfect. Or we could go to Gloucester for a month or so.”

“I’m not sure that would be such a good idea. You’d want to host a house party.”

“No, I wouldn’t. Arthur, just about everyone has left the city.”

“If you want to visit your friend, make the arrangements and go. You don’t need my permission.”

“I know.”

Arthur pushed himself to his feet. “If you’ll excuse me, I have an appointment with my tailor within the hour.”

Roxanne nodded and tried not to grin. Her brother had always disliked trips to a tailor or anyone else for clothing. Funny how things change. “I’ll see you in time to leave for Graham’s. He has me curious.”

“Me too. Makes me wonder what he’s up to.”

“Perhaps it’s something as simple as just wanting friends to share a meal.”

“And we shall find out.”

He leaned over and kissed her on the cheek. “Enjoy your afternoon.”

“Thank you, I shall.”

She watched as her brother quit the room.

He seemed to be in a jovial mood. Perhaps there was something more to his afternoon than a visit to his tailor.

Curiosity piqued her attention as she wondered if there was a lady he might be calling on.

Someone he wasn’t ready to share with her.

He hadn’t mentioned anyone but that meant nothing.

It was well-known that Arthur was one of a handful of men who was still unmarried after all these years.

He was also highly sought after by the mothers, all of whom thought their daughter would be a perfect match for him.

Perhaps one of her own friends might suit him.

Something to ponder, though matchmaking her brother was not at the top of the list. That was why he needed to get out of London and go somewhere like the seashore.

Even his country estates wouldn’t do where finding love was concerned. Too secluded for her taste.

Putting her book aside, she stood and walked to the door leading to the terrace.

The sun was shining bright, the sky a magnificent shade with white fluffy clouds floating across the blue backdrop.

She stepped out onto the terrace and gazed out at the bed of roses.

Tending to roses was something she found very satisfying when she was with Casper.

It gave her solitude and a way to keep her sanity.

Perhaps the head gardener needed to be approached about her wish to tend the blooms. The same could be said for the garden in Gloucester.

Roxanne remembered it being her mother’s pride and joy.

She had enlarged the beds and added hardy new varieties her gardener had helped her graft.

Her mother had been well known for her roses and her knowledge of anything to do with them.

That was where Roxanne picked up her fondness for roses.

Now, until her brother married, she would carry on the tradition and hope Arthur’s wife would do as well and not be one of those women who wouldn’t be seen doing something as menial as tending roses and insist the gardener keep the beds up.

She, in the meantime, would have better things to occupy her time, and Roxanne prayed he didn’t take such a woman as his wife.

Another reason for her to monitor her brother’s choices.

She needed to get him out of London. And soon.

She returned to the house to gather her things.

It was best to make the most of days like today when the weather was dry.

There was a bookshop on the far side of the park.

Roxanne wanted to check out their selection of history books and see what they might have on one of her brother’s favorite subjects: Roman times in England.

He had a vast array of books on the subject, but she knew there were some which eluded him.

They were either hard to find or had to be ordered.

Arthur’s birthday wasn’t until the end of summer, so ordering one of them now would be the smart solution to her usual dilemma of what to get her brother on his birthday.

With her list of titles in one hand, Roxanne neatly folded the paper and placed it in her reticule and headed towards the park.

It was never as crowded as some of the other parks in the area, but still, if one wanted to be seen by other residents without going to say, Hyde Park, this was the place to go.

People were scarce, as most residents fled the city during the summer months.

Or at least for the hottest part. London was not at her best this time of year.

The bookshop, Hanson & Son, Booksellers was not busy.

A few gentlemen browsing, and that was about it.

The shop had been here for as long as Roxanne could remember.

Arthur would bring her once their father had said a bookshop was no place for a woman.

Women were supposed to let their husbands choose and approve what they read.

Since she wasn’t married, he would pick out what he considered suitable or let Arthur do it in his place.

Arthur usually always approved of what she wanted to read.

Roxanne wandered over to a table near the window which featured newly released books.

Sam, the grandson of the owner, approached her, inquiring if there was something he could help her with.

He had always been quite knowledgeable, which was to be expected since he’d practically lived at the shop in the afternoons after school, assisting his father and grandfather with whatever needed to be done around the shop.

“Is there something I can help you find, milady?” he asked with a shy grin.

She pulled out her list and handed it to him. “I’m looking for a gift for my brother. These are some titles he’s mentioned.”

He eyed it closely. “Yes, he’s come in a few times looking for a couple of these titles. They have to be ordered, I’m afraid.”

“That’s fine. Choose two you think he’d really like. I’ll order them for his birthday.”

“If you’ll follow me, I’ll get all the information I need.”

“Thank you, Sam.”

Roxanne followed the young man to the counter and waited as he wrote down everything he needed for the order.

As she was standing there, she felt someone approach the space beside her.

She didn’t acknowledge whoever it was because she didn’t want to start a conversation with a perfect stranger.

Her goal here had been to find Arthur something for his birthday.

Sam handed her a paper he’d been writing on and asked her to make sure everything was correct.

“That’s some heavy reading for a young lady such as yourself,” the voice from her right said.

She drew in a deep breath and contemplated how to defuse this before it got started. But her mouth had other plans. “Is that so? Just because I am of the fairer sex, doesn’t mean I haven’t had an excellent education.”

“I never meant to imply…”

“No, I’m sure you didn’t. If you’ll excuse me, I need to finish my purchase,” she said, turning her attention back to Sam. “Sam, please send the bill to me, and not my brother. I don’t want him paying for his own present.”

“I can have it ready when you come to pick up the order if you like.”

She nodded. “That would be perfect. Just send a note around when they’ve arrived.”

“I shall, milady. Is there anything I might interest you in?”

“Not today. I appreciate all your help, Sam. Thank you.” She turned and began to walk away, ignoring the man who’d spoken to her moments ago.

“I’m afraid we’ve gotten off on the wrong foot. Allow me to introduce myself. I’m Franklin Brown. I recently arrived in London.”

“I wish you all the best, sir.”

He hesitated before leading into, “May I be as bold as to invite you next door for a cup of tea?”

“It’s really not necessary. I don’t even know you.”

“I’ve told you my name.”

She arched a brow. “And that you’ve recently arrived in London.”

“Yes. I received word my older brother, Marquess of Lowshire, died unexpectedly. Since he had no heir, I was called back.”

“So now you’re the reluctant marquess?”

“Not in the least. It was what I was raised to be in case something this tragic occurred.”

“I’m sure you’ll make him proud. Now if you’ll excuse me.”

“Wait, you still haven’t told me your name, milady.”

“I know. Perhaps I don’t wish you to know.”

“You have me there.”

“Good day to you, sir.” She continued to the door and pulled it open, when the newly minted marquess was at her side, holding the door so she could pass.

She didn’t dare look up at him, but somehow, she caught a glimpse of him anyway.

An average man. Dark-blond hair and height.

He apparently spent a good deal of time in the sun. Nothing striking about him otherwise.

She crossed the street and headed back to the park.

Though she had planned to spend more time looking into the shop windows, this insistent man made her change her plans out of pure caution.

Part of her wanted to turn and look behind her, to make sure he wasn’t following her, but she didn’t dare.

He certainly had nerve to be so insistent.

The entrance to the park neared.

“Lady Roxanne? Is everything all right?” a familiar baritone said from her left.