Make-Believe Wife (8 page)

‘Yes, we must hope so,' Roxanne replied. It was amazing how much she had learned from the housekeeper in just a few minutes. Luke had told her his parents' story, but not the rest of it. She understood now why he was prepared to go through with this sham engagement in order to please his grandfather in his last months. She must not let him down, however hard it might be to carry off the part of a loving fiancée. ‘That is up to me in part, is it not?'

‘There's been a different atmosphere here since the letter came,' Mrs Arlet said. She unlocked a door and stood back for Roxanne to enter. ‘The earl gave orders for most of the rooms to be opened up immediately. We'll be giving a ball to celebrate his lordship's engagement, miss. Everyone will want to meet you.'

‘Oh…yes, of course,' Roxanne said and took a deep breath as she looked about her. ‘This is beautiful, thank you. When will the ball be held? I am not sure I brought a gown suitable for a grand ball.'

‘No doubt that can be rectified, miss. There are bales of silk in the sewing room waiting for just such a purpose. We'll fetch the seamstress from town and she will be pleased to serve you. You'll be the countess one day, after all.'

‘Yes.' Roxanne looked round. ‘I think perhaps I should tidy myself.'

‘Yes, miss. The earl will be waiting for you in the main parlour downstairs. If you could be ready, I shall serve tea in twenty minutes.'

‘I can be ready, but I'm not certain I know where to go.'

‘Lord bless you, miss. Just go down the stairs to the main hall and someone will direct you. The footmen are here for that very purpose and we are all eager to make your stay at Hartingdon as pleasant as possible.'

Roxanne thanked her and she went away. She was left standing in a small but pretty sitting room and beyond that was a bedroom. The main colours were green, gold, cream and yellow, which gave the rooms a light bright appearance. Roxanne ran her fingers reverently over the surface of a delicate and very pretty desk suitable for a lady. An elbow chair was set ready for use; the sofa was covered in green-striped silk and there was a rolled cushion at each end. Small occasional tables were dotted about the room and a bookcase with leather-bound volumes and porcelain figures behind the glass doors occupied the length of one wall.

Going into the bedroom, which was equally well furnished with a dressing table, matching chests and a padded stool at the end of the bed, Roxanne took off her pelisse and let it fall on one of the pretty chairs. She sat down in front of the dressing table and studied her reflection in the shield-shaped mirror. The frame was fashioned of smooth mahogany and inlaid with satinwood, set on a stand so that it could be moved to give a better view. The table was set out with silver items, including brushes and combs and perfume pots. How much luxury there was in a house like this!

She had removed her bonnet earlier and now took the brush to smooth over her hair, pulling at the tendrils
that framed her face. She was wearing a silver brooch in her lace, but otherwise had no jewellery other than her ring. Touching the brooch, she smiled because it reminded her of Sofia and she could almost hear her friend applauding.

‘Now we shall see if I really am fit to be a lady,' she said softly. ‘Wish me luck, dearest Sofia.'

‘You were born to the part, dearest.'

For a moment it was as if her friend were with her and she felt her courage return. Her part here was not to deceive for advantage, but to bring comfort and joy to an old man's last days.

Roxanne's things had not yet been brought up so she did not have the opportunity to change her gown; deciding that she looked the best she could after her journey, she left the bedroom and retraced her steps to the landing.

At the bottom of the stairs two footmen were discussing something and she caught the words
‘beauty and better than expected'
, before they became aware of her standing there.

‘You were quick, miss,' one of them said, a faint colour in his cheeks. ‘Mrs Arlet said to take you to the back parlour when you came down. It is the master's favourite room these days. He mostly uses it when he is alone, though we'll be using the drawing room for tea in future.'

‘Shall you?' Roxanne said, controlling the urge to smile. Clearly the servants here considered themselves part of the family and that was somehow fitting. ‘There is no need to stand on ceremony for my sake. Please
take me to the earl—I believe Mrs Arlet said your name was Jarvis?'

‘Yes, Miss Peters,' he replied, seeming surprised that she should remember. ‘If you would like to come this way.'

‘Thank you,' she said and inclined her head in her most regal manner.

Roxanne's heart was hammering against her ribs as she followed the footman through to the back of the house. He paused before a pair of impressive double doors and then threw them open with a little flourish.

‘Miss Peters, my lord.'

Jarvis stood to one side so that Roxanne could enter; when she did so, he closed the doors behind her with a snap. Immediately, she saw the elderly man rise to his feet. He was tall, though a little stooped about his shoulders, thinner than she thought healthy, his hair dark pewter and his white brows bushy and slightly raised, intimidating. His eyes, though, were of a similar colour to Luke's and for some reason that made her smile. She was, she imagined, looking at Lord Clarendon as he would be one day in the distant future. The two gentlemen were very alike despite the years between them.

‘Miss Peters? You are down sooner than that graceless scamp my grandson.'

‘Since I could not change my gown to greet you, I thought it better to come sooner rather than later,' she replied and moved towards him, her hand outstretched. ‘Luke has told me a little about you, sir—and you are very like him.'

‘You are the first to say so in an age, though his mother often told me that he would be my image one day. Unfortunately, she did not live to see it. I have thought that a good thing, for she would have been disappointed in the young rogue—but now I am not so sure.'

‘I know that Luke has not always behaved in a way that pleased you,' Roxanne said. ‘But you must not disparage him to me, you know.'

‘You are prepared to defend him if I do?'

‘I should be a poor fiancée if I did not—do you not think so, sir?'

The earl glared at her for a few seconds, then gave a harsh laugh. ‘I think he has done better than I imagined. I was prepared for you to be one of his doxies—but you ain't, are you?'

‘Certainly not. I have been no man's plaything and have no intention of it.' Her eyes flashed a challenge at him. ‘Do you really think so poorly of him, sir? It would be unkind to bring a lady of that nature into your home. From what I know of Luke, he would not be so discourteous to you.'

‘You're an outspoken miss. I can see why he picked you, Miss Peters.'

‘I fear I was taught to speak my mind and to be independent as much as possible. I should be happier if you were to call me Miss Roxanne—or simply by my given name.'

‘You have an older sister?'

‘No—but everyone always calls me Miss Roxanne. I prefer it.'

‘Do you, now? I wonder why?' He stared at her a moment longer, then took her hand and bent over it, lifting it to his papery-dry lips to salute her with a kiss. ‘Come and sit down and tell me something about yourself.'

‘I am quite unremarkable, sir,' Roxanne replied. She sat in the chair at the opposite end of the imposing fireplace so that he too might sit. ‘I have little family and, until she died, lived with the lady who cared for me after…I lost my home.'

‘Clarendon's letter said that your father is in India and you do not wish to marry until he gives his permission?'

‘Do you not think that the proper thing to do, sir?'

His bushy brows met in a frown. ‘Humph. Clever with words, ain't you? No fortune, I suppose—are you after his money, girl?'

‘I did not agree to this engagement for money.'

‘It was a bit sudden. He told me nothing of you the last time he was down here, then announces he's engaged. Why would he do that—and why should you agree?'

‘I should be a liar if I said that Luke's proposal was not appealing. I was in some difficulty and I am almost alone in the world, for I have not heard from my father in years. However, I have respect and liking for Luke and I believe he feels the same. I consented to the engagement—with the understanding that it would not continue if you should dislike it.'

Hartingdon's gaze narrowed. ‘Willing to give him up for a consideration?'

‘I said no such thing,' Roxanne replied, refusing to be ruffled by his pricking at her. ‘I should not wish to cause trouble between you, for I know that he holds you in affection. You do not need to pay me to make me go away, sir. I shall leave at once if my presence here offends you.'

‘Do not talk rubbish, girl. You look and behave like a lady. Might not be out of the top drawer, but I ain't fool enough to send you packing—at least until I discover the truth of the matter. If he really means to settle down and provide me with an heir, you will do well enough, I dare say.'

Roxanne was not called upon to reply for the doors opened and a footman announced Lord Clarendon. Luke advanced into the room, looking strangely apprehensive.

‘Roxanne, I intended to be with you when you met Grandfather,' he said, his gaze going from one to the other. ‘Everything all right, sir? How are you today? Better, I trust?'

‘Well enough. Don't fuss, boy. I cannot abide people fussing over me. That fool of a doctor is bad enough without you.'

‘I see your mood has not much improved, sir.' Luke's mouth firmed. ‘I hope he has not bitten your head off, Roxanne? I assure you he is not always this ill tempered.'

Roxanne looked from one to the other and then laughed. ‘Oh dear, you both look so cross—like two bulldogs who have been quarrelling over a bone, which
has been suddenly snatched from under your noses by a mongrel pup.'

For a moment there was silence and then Luke grinned. ‘You are perfectly right, dearest. It is ridiculous to argue over trivial things. Forgive me, Grandfather. I did not come down here to quarrel with you.'

‘Why did you come?' The earl looked at him suspiciously. ‘Am I supposed to believe that you truly intend to settle down and do your duty?'

‘What is my duty, sir? I hope that you will continue to live for some years yet in the full enjoyment of your estate. If you need help or advice with business matters I should be pleased to give it—though whether you would wish to receive it is another matter.'

‘I have agents and fellows enough to run the place,' the earl grunted, ‘though you might take the trouble to ride the estate with Tonkins while you are here. Some of the cottages may need renovation. It was in my mind to do it some years back, but I let things slip, though I've no cause for complaint in Tonkins's management as far as I know.'

‘I shall be pleased to do so, both with him and on my own, while we stay with you,' Luke told him. ‘May I take it that Roxanne and I have your blessing?'

‘You puzzle me, Clarendon. You have flouted my wishes since you reached your majority and became independent. Now, it seems you wish to please me—why? Afraid of losing your inheritance?'

‘I find that it does not suit me to be at odds with you, sir. Is that so very strange?'

‘I suppose it threw you into a blue fit because of
that little incident.' The old man glared at him. ‘Well, I mustn't nag on at you or your fiancée will scold me. I am pleasantly surprised, Luke. When your letter came I scented a rat, thought you would try to play one of your tricks on me, but Miss Roxanne seems a decent gel. For the moment I shall reserve judgement.'

‘I hope I shall not let you down,' Roxanne said. ‘The marriage cannot happen until I have my father's permission, so there is plenty of time.'

‘Indeed, I might argue with that,' the earl said. ‘What makes you think your father will write if he has not done so for years?'

‘I can only hope that he will do so, sir.'

‘And if he does not?' Hartingdon's eyes gleamed suddenly. ‘I shall give you three months to seek his permission. If after that there is no word, I shall insist on the banns being called.'

Roxanne looked at him and saw the challenge in his eyes. She sensed that he was testing her and smiled, but before she could answer Luke spoke.

‘I am certain we could agree to that,' he said. ‘After all, your father could not blame you for going ahead if he makes no attempt to contact you, Roxanne.'

‘It is so long since I heard anything, he may be dead,' Roxanne said carefully. ‘If in three months' time nothing has changed—and we are all content with the situation—I shall agree to the banns being called.'

‘Then you have my blessing,' the earl said and looked smug, as if he had gained what he sought. ‘However, there is one caveat—and that is that Miss Roxanne remains here with me so that I may get to know her. If
you have business elsewhere, Luke, you may leave us for as long as it takes. Your fiancée will reside here.'

‘I'm not sure…' Luke looked stunned. Clearly he had not expected anything of the kind. ‘Roxanne—how do you feel about living here with Grandfather?'

Roxanne hesitated. She had expected a visit of two to three weeks at the longest. To live in this house for three months under the eye of the earl would be a huge challenge.

‘I…' she began and then encountered a strange expression in the old man's eyes. The challenge was there, as she had expected, but there was something more—a vulnerability and frailty that seemed to be pleading with her rather than demanding. ‘I think that would be an excellent idea. I have a great deal to learn if I am to be the mistress here, Luke. I hope you will stay with us as much as you can, dearest, but I shall be perfectly content to help Mrs Arlet. I believe she is quite keen to open up some of the family rooms that have been under covers for years.'