by Anne Herries
Roxanne hesitated. She hardly knew why she was resisting. Sofia had kept her jewel safe, telling her that she need not work on the stage. The chance to be accepted into society, to live as a respectable young lady, was something that might never come again. If she refused and insisted on finding work as an actress, her future was inevitable. In the end she would be trapped or persuaded into taking a protector.
‘I might consent to a long engagement,’ she said and then wondered if she had run mad. ‘I think marriage might be a step too far, but if you were to introduce me as your fiancée and explain that we could not marry until…my father returns from India, it might serve.’
‘Is your father in India?’
‘I have no idea who my father is or even if he is alive. It was a game Sofia invented. She said I was the daughter of an English lady and an Indian prince. She was once the mistress of a maharajah and liked to tell me tales of India. I think her stories were so vivid that sometimes I saw the prince in my dreams. She said it would take away the bad dreams and she was right.’
‘Your friend was a remarkable lady.’
‘She taught me so much and I loved her. Sometimes her stories seem real to me, but I remember nothing beyond waking and seeing Sofia smiling at me.’
‘It must have been terrifying for you.’
‘Yes, at first, but Sofia helped me through the dark times when the nightmares came.’
‘You were lucky to have her.’
‘I think had she not found me I should have died—but you do not need to tell your grandfather lies. Surely there must be a young woman of good family who would oblige you?’
‘I do not wish to make a marriage of convenience.’ A tiny nerve flicked at his temple. ‘My mother made such a marriage and was desperately unhappy. I would not inflict that pain on anyone. I truly do not wish to harm anyone.’
‘Then…’ Roxanne sighed ‘…perhaps we might have a business arrangement if you wished for it.’
‘I begin to see how the story might work,’ Luke said, his gaze narrowed. ‘I could say that you were the daughter of an employee of the East India Company. You have not heard from your father for some time and, while consenting to an engagement, could not marry until he replies to your letter. If necessary, we could always kill him off at some future date.’
‘Do not joke about such things.’ Roxanne twisted her napkin in her fingers. ‘I feel that we are discussing a wicked trick and I am not sure that I could carry it through. If the earl were to discover the deceit he would be devastated—it might lead to his death.’
‘Why should it be discovered?’ Luke’s cool gaze intensified. ‘You are an attractive young woman, Roxanne—but your clothes do not do you justice. Dressed as a young woman of good family you will look very different. No one is going to recognise you as an actress—none of my friends or family will have seen you on the stage. An engagement may be broken. If something goes wrong, we can end it and my grandfather will understand that these things happen. However, he may not live for many months. After his death, you will be free to go wherever you please. Is it too much to ask—to make an old man happy?’
Roxanne considered, then, ‘No, that part at least is commendable. Yet I still feel it wrong to deceive him. Could you not bring yourself to make a marriage of convenience to a young lady of your own class, my lord?’
‘I fear it is out of the question. If you will not accept, I must forget the idea. Grandfather has given me an ultimatum and if I do not abide by it… He has threatened to disown me and—make life extremely difficult for me and the people I support. Besides, his cousin Harte is a pompous fool and not fit to stand in Grandfather’s shoes.’
‘What happens to you if the earl disinherits you?’
‘I lose the earl’s title, his estate and fortune—but do not imagine I care for his money. I have sufficient of my own…or I had. He has told me that he can withhold the inheritance I had from my paternal grandfather until I am thirty if he chooses. I do not know if it is an empty threat. I must speak with my lawyers in town. It would be deuced awkward. I have commitments to some people that I would be loath to break.’
‘What kind of commitments?’ She saw his quick frown. ‘That is not my business. Forgive me. It is just that I would be certain what is in your mind concerning this arrangement.’
‘My suggestion stemmed from your own, Roxanne. Forgive me, I should not have mentioned it. After all, you hardly know me. I might be a ruthless rogue out to rob the old man of his money.’
‘No, I do not believe that,’ Roxanne replied. ‘You must allow me a little time, sir. I shall complete the journey to London with you—and then we shall discuss this again, perhaps in a few days.’
His gaze fastened on her face. ‘Yes, of course. We have another day on the road and then I shall take you to a place where you can stay until a decision is made.’
The journey was completed without incident. They were obliged to get down from the chaise once so that Luke could relieve himself. He had not lied when he told her he would need assistance to hobble into the bushes at the side of the road and leaned heavily on her arm. From the grimace on his face, she thought that he was still in some pain. She turned her head modestly and ignored the sounds from behind her, waiting patiently to help him back into the carriage when he was ready.
Luke shot her an amused glance. ‘You play the part of a long-suffering wife to perfection, Roxanne. If you chose, you could easily fool Grandfather or anyone else into thinking we had been married for an age.’
Roxanne looked at him disapprovingly. ‘I know you are jesting, but I do not find the suggestion funny. Marriage would not be an option. Even an engagement seems so deceitful when there is no intention on either side—but I do understand why you wish to please him.’
‘He gets so distressed over the smallest thing,’ Luke told her. ‘I fear a fit of temper may carry him off. Once, that would not have concerned me, but now—I find I should not like to be the cause of his death.’
‘You really believe that your refusal to marry may cause the earl to die in distress?’
‘Yes.’ Luke’s expression was serious. ‘You are right to accuse me of levity. It has always been my way to make light of things—but it shocked me when he had that turn. I thought he was going to die, and, had he done so, it would have been my fault.’
Roxanne nodded, but made no further comment. Luke sat back with his eyes closed and the remainder of the journey was accomplished in silence. However, he stirred himself as they approached the heath and told her that they had reached Hampstead.
‘There has been a highwayman waylaying travellers hereabouts for some months, but last month they caught him and I dare say he will hang. The house I told you of is nearby. It is being prepared for someone—a lady and child. At the moment she is staying with friends in the south of England, but in another week or two she will take up residence. She will not mind if we use it for a few days.’
‘You intend to stay there with me?’
‘Not to sleep, but I must visit often. You have my word that I shall not take advantage. If you are to play the part of my fiancée, you will need to know certain things and we must dress you accordingly.’ He smiled at her. ‘Can you trust me, Roxanne? You must know that I would not harm you after all you have done for me?’
‘I hardly know you—and I have been taught not to trust gentlemen of your class.’ Roxanne was thoughtful. If the house had been prepared for a lady and child, she was probably his mistress and perhaps the child was his. He would surely not attempt to seduce her in the house he had bought for his mistress? ‘Yet I believe you to be a man of your word.’
‘That is something.’ Luke was unsmiling as the chaise came to a halt. ‘You may help me down if you will, Miss Roxanne—it is best I address you formally now. Mrs Mills is the caretaker here for the moment and will respect you more if she thinks you a respectable young lady fallen on hard times.’
‘What do you mean to tell her?’
‘Just what I intend to tell everyone.’ His grey eyes were intent on her. ‘You do not know who you are. Yet I am certain you came from gentry—and you suggested India, which may be the truth for all we know.’
Roxanne climbed down from the chaise and gave Luke her hand to steady him. He winced as his injured leg touched the ground, but immediately recovered and took the arm she offered. As they approached the front door of the modest red-bricked villa, it opened and a woman of some forty-odd years stood in the doorway, looking at him expectantly.
‘Mrs Mills, I am pleased to see you again,’ Luke said with the easy charm that had drawn Roxanne to him. ‘This is not Mrs Fox, who is to live here, but a lady who has done me the honour of accepting my help.’
‘Lord Clarendon, how good to see you,’ she said and dipped a curtsy, her curious eyes on Roxanne.
‘This is Miss Roxanne Peters,’ Luke said without batting an eyelid. ‘I have brought her here for a few days, because she had nowhere else to go. Her best friend has recently died and she is alone. Roxanne’s father is in India and she is having difficulty in managing. She needs somewhere to stay for a little while—until we can settle things with the earl. In confidence, this lady is to be my fiancée.’
‘Then you are planning to marry.’ Mrs Mills looked surprised and pleased. ‘Well, sir, I am sure the earl will be glad to hear your news.’
‘We must hope so, Mrs Mills—but you know my grandfather.’
‘Indeed, I do, sir, and if you will forgive me, I thought him a harsh guardian after your dear parents died so tragically.’
‘I dare say he did his best,’ Luke replied, a little nerve flicking at his temple. ‘If you will be so good as to look after Miss Roxanne for me, I have business to attend. I shall return later to dine with you, Roxanne.’
Oddly, now that he was leaving, she wished he would stay. She offered her hand and he took it, bending his head to kiss it briefly.
‘Until later, dearest,’ he said and her heart jolted. He was playing a part, but for a moment she felt something so sweet and delicious that she wished their game was not merely make believe.
Roxanne nodded, turning to watch as he left before following the housekeeper up the stairs to her room.
‘Such a kind man,’ Mrs Mills was saying and she realised that she had not been listening. ‘Always thinking of others. People try to paint his lordship black, but take no notice, Miss Peters, he has a good heart.’
‘Yes, I am sure you are right,’ Roxanne said as she was shown into a bedchamber. ‘What a lovely room.’
‘And this is the guest room. It’s as I was saying, no expense spared for the widow and her child. Mrs Fox is a fortunate young woman if you ask me.’
‘Mrs Fox is the lady who is to live here?’
‘She and her son, the poor lady. Such a sad tale—but my tongue runs away with me and his lordship would be cross with me for tattling. I shall leave you to rest, Miss Roxanne—please ring for tea in the parlour when you come down.’
Roxanne looked about her at the pretty satinwood furniture, the silken hangings of green and white and the crystal trinkets with silver tops on the dressing table. If this was the guest room, Mrs Fox’s room must be something special. Clearly Luke had deep feelings for the widow.
Was Mrs Fox his mistress? The thought troubled Roxanne. If he had feelings for the lady—and he must, for he would not otherwise have provided her with a house and Mrs Mills to care for her and her son—why had he brought Roxanne here?
If he already had a son, why did he not produce him as his heir and marry the boy’s mother? It would surely solve all his problems.
Luke had told her he did not wish for a marriage of convenience. Was that because his heart belonged to a woman he could not marry?
Perhaps the earl thought Mrs Fox unworthy. What would he think of a young woman who knew nothing of her background and might even be a thief?
No, Roxanne was certain she was not a thief. She did not know why she had the ruby in her possession when she was found, but she would not have stolen it—would she?
Sighing, she gave up the attempt to remember. She remembered nothing but her life with the travelling players and Sofia. The vivid pictures that flitted through her mind at times were merely Sofia’s stories—put there to fill the blankness that had been there when she woke from her illness and cried for days.
‘Oh, Sofia,’ she whispered as she sat down on the bed and ran her hand over the silken covers. ‘What am I to do? I like him so much—but I fear that I am headed for trouble. I should run away now, go to London and forget him…but I feel as if something binds me to him.’
‘He will break your heart.’
The words were only in her head. Sofia was no longer there to guide and comfort her. She was alone and must use her wits to keep herself safe. Luke Clarendon was offering an arrangement that would make her independent for the rest of her life. All she had to do was to play a part—and keep a little distance between them.
A tiny voice in her head told her it was already too late, but she was no longer listening.
Roxanne smiled and lifted her face to the sun. She had been staying here for almost a week now. Life was comfortable and pleasant; Roxanne was beginning to feel at home, but she did not dare to let herself feel too settled. She was here under false pretences and that made her feel a little guilty. Once or twice she had considered hiring a cab to take her into the centre of London in search of work at a theatre.
‘Roxanne…’ Mrs Mill’s voice calling to her made her glance over her shoulder. She looked at her basket. She had enough flowers for now. ‘His lordship has arrived.’
‘Thank you.’ She saw that Luke had come out into the garden in search of her and her heart quickened as she went to meet him. ‘I thought you would not be here until this evening.’
‘I was able to get away sooner.’ He looked at her approvingly. ‘That gown suits you well, Roxanne.’
‘I am glad you approve. You chose it.’
‘So I did,’ he said. ‘Fetch your bonnet and a shawl if you wish for one. As I rode here I saw a fair on the Heath. It is an age since I visited a fair. Shall we go, Roxanne? I’ll buy you a toffee apple.’
She laughed and shook her head. ‘I do not think I should care for it, but there will be other treats I dare say. Yes, if you wish, we may as well spend a little time there for it is a lovely afternoon.’
‘Then we shall go and if you do not wish for a toffee apple I will win you a fairing at the shooting range.’
Roxanne agreed and ran inside to fetch her bonnet. She did not know why, but the prospect of spending the afternoon at the fair with him was delightful. She had come to know him a little these past days and to like what she learned of him very much.
The fair had spread out over much of the Heath. There were stalls of all kinds and the smells of hot pies and toffee apples were mouth watering. A man on stilts was walking through the crowds, telling people to visit the bearded lady and the dog with two heads, as well as to watch the wrestling match and the bowling for a pig. Luke paid to try his hand at the shooting range, but his shots went astray and he made a sound of annoyance.
‘I am sure the barrel is not straight. I will have one more attempt. Walk a little further and I shall catch you up in a moment.’
Roxanne smiled and left him, feeling amused that he was so determined to win her a fairing. She would not go too far, but wander around the stalls, which sold all manner of pretty trifles. She would have liked to buy a small gift for Luke, but her few pennies would not stretch far and she was afraid to spend them in case she needed them.
She stood for a moment watching a man swallowing a sword and juggling with fire. Then, feeling a tingling at the nape of her neck, she glanced to her left where a group of men were standing haggling over horses and a shiver went down her spine. A man with black hair and a swarthy complexion was looking at her. She knew him at once and felt the fear sweep through her. How unfortunate that
he should be at the fair! If he came to her and demanded she return with him, he might force her to go.
She had to return to Luke! Yet if she did so, she might bring trouble on him; his leg was better than when he fell, but she knew it still pained him. Perhaps she could lose Black Bob in the crowd. Turning away, she began to walk hastily back the way she had come, but almost immediately collided with a man. He put out his hands to steady her.
‘Whoa,’ he said and laughed as she gave a cry of alarm. ‘Where are you going in such a hurry, Roxanne? Were you running away from me?’
‘Not from you.’ Roxanne breathed a sigh of relief as she looked up at Luke’s teasing smile. ‘I saw someone I did not wish to meet.’
‘The man you ran away from after Sofia died?’
‘Yes.’ Roxanne drew a deep breath. She glanced back and saw that Black Bob had followed her but now he was hesitating, looking uncertain. ‘Please give me your arm. He is watching us. I was afraid he might try to grab me; but he did not expect to see you. If you seem to be a friend, he may think he was mistaken.’
Luke offered his arm and she took it, her hand trembling slightly. He glanced down, a frown on his face. ‘You are afraid of him, aren’t you?’ She nodded. ‘Damn the fellow. Shall I thrash him for you?’
‘No, please do not try. He was stronger than all the other men—and you are injured.’ She glanced down at his tight-fitting breeches and long, highly polished boots. ‘Is your leg better?’
‘Much. My doctor bound it and instructed me to rest, which I have as much as I could bear. I have an ache now, but the sharp pain has gone. It was a dislocation after all and not the break I feared—so it seems our rustic physician knew his trade. My own doctor had nothing but praise for his work.’
‘I did not doubt it, but you were in such pain afterwards that I feared he might have done some damage.’
‘My physician told me I was lucky. Had the fellow not acted as he did, I might have had an infection in the leg and been far worse. I might even have lost the use of it. However, I fear I made too much fuss of a slight thing.’