Even though the young man had undoubtedly seen her performing, he did not dream that Roxanne was the actress he’d watched. He thought the likeness superficial, which indeed it was for she had changed considerably since those days. That girl had been left far behind as she became more confident and sure of her place here.
‘Oh, very talented. I thought she belonged on the London stage. I would have spoken to her about it, but I could not stay until the end of the play.’
‘Roxanne, may I speak with you?’
She stood up as Luke came up to her, nodding her head to her companion and moving aside to the window.
‘You looked slightly disturbed. James was not annoying you?’
‘He wished me not to be offended, but saw a vague likeness in me to an actress he’d once watched performing somewhere.’
‘Ah, I see…’ Luke nodded, his gaze intent on her face. ‘You are not distressed?’
‘No, certainly not.’ Roxanne lifted her head proudly, every inch the great lady. ‘You wished to speak with me?’
‘I forgot to mention it earlier, but a seamstress is coming down in a couple of days. She has made a gown for the ball for you and will fit it and make any adjustments needed while she is here. I thought you might like her to make a wedding dress for you? We shall buy most of your trousseau in Paris after the wedding—if that suits you?’
‘Of course, if you think it necessary.’ Roxanne’s heart thudded in her breast, her throat tight suddenly and for no good reason. ‘Your grandfather looks a little tired. If there is nothing more, I shall see if he wishes to retire.’
‘No, nothing more,’ Luke replied with a little frown.
‘Then please excuse me for the moment.’
Luke watched as she walked to the earl. The old man listened to what she said to him and then inclined his head. Roxanne gave him her arm and they left the room together. For a moment the earl’s face was unguarded and his grandson saw real affection in his eyes as he responded to her caring.
It was evident that a bond had formed between them while he was absent. Luke wasn’t sure how he felt about the situation. Roxanne seemed fond of the earl and sure of her place here. For a moment he was irked by the affection between them. Roxanne had found a way past the prickly outer skin the earl had used to shut out everyone else, including his grandson. Why was he prepared to accept her when he had shown little but indifference towards his own flesh and blood?
Luke ought to be delighted that his plan to make his grandfather’s last days happy was working so well and yet once again he had a sense of unease—almost fear. It was ridiculous to feel trapped. He could walk away, go back to London whenever he chose, and yet something was holding him here. It was as if invisible chains bound his limbs and he did not understand his own feelings.
It was not as if the marriage was to be a true one. He felt passion for Roxanne and knew that he would find great pleasure in teaching her the delights of the bedroom—but he was not sure that she felt anything for him.
She was always welcoming, pleasant and amenable to his wishes, but was that what he wanted from her? Was this show of affection and content merely a consummate actress at work? He had made a bargain with her and Roxanne was playing her part all too well.
Luke wasn’t sure what he wanted or expected of her—or what he hoped the future might bring. His uncertainty had not improved his mood and he was on edge, moody, anger simmering beneath the surface—but he did not know why he was angry.
Roxanne was surprised at how many people had come to wish them well. She had written the invitations to whole families and it seemed that uncles, aunts and cousins had turned out in force. They had been arriving for the past two days and the house was already overflowing. The arrival of neighbours and friends later that night would ensure that the ball was a success.
‘That’s a beautiful gown, Miss Roxanne,’ the housekeeper observed when she brought up a posy of fragrant lilies the gardener had sent. ‘I think you will be the centre of attention this evening—as you deserve to be, miss.’
‘Thank you, Mrs Arlet,’ Roxanne said. ‘Lord Clarendon ordered the gown in London, as you know. He has excellent taste. Those flowers are lovely—did they come from his lordship?’
‘I think it was Minty’s idea, miss—though I dare say his lordship asked for flowers suitable for the occasion.’
‘Well, they are delightful,’ Roxanne said and the housekeeper left. She glanced at her reflection, thinking that the gown called for an ornament of some kind. Her request to the earl for the loan of some pearls had not been met and she regretted her lack. She was just considering whether she could pin a single flower to her gown when someone knocked. Opening the door, she was surprised to see Luke. ‘Oh…I am nearly ready.’
‘You look beautiful, Roxanne,’ he said, staring at her in such a way that her heart fluttered and her mouth was suddenly dry. ‘I brought you a little gift to wear this evening—if it pleases you.’
Luke offered her a black velvet box, which Roxanne took and opened. Her breath caught in her throat as she saw the single string of beautiful creamy pearls fastened with a clasp of emeralds and diamonds.
‘Oh, these are beautiful. My maid has gone—would you fasten them for me, please?’
‘Yes, of course.’ Luke followed her into the bedchamber. Roxanne lifted her hair and he placed the pearls around her throat, his fingers lingering against the sensitive skin at her nape. ‘The clasp is meant to be at the front.’ He turned the necklet, his hand just brushing against her dipping décolletage for an instance.
The dizzying sensation that shot through her at that moment almost took her breath. Roxanne’s lips parted on a sigh and she felt a spasm of desire and need so strong that it required all her willpower not to melt into his arms. Just for a moment she wished there was no ball, nothing but Luke and a soft bed where they could lie together.
The sensation was sweet and overpowering, but Roxanne forced herself to remain aloof. To beg for kisses and more would shame her and she had no intention of allowing her feelings to become plain. Luke wanted a business arrangement and that was what she must accept because anything else would end in pain. The last thing Luke wanted or needed was a clinging wife who would love him and make him feel guilty for neglecting her when he returned to the life he enjoyed.
She would be a poor actress if she could not hide her feelings for him, but she must remain outwardly in control. He would hate her to fall in love with him. He had no wish for a clinging wife.
Glancing in the mirror, Roxanne was satisfied that apart from a faint flush in her cheeks she had given no sign of the intensity of her feelings. She touched the emerald clasp and smiled.
‘How did you know that I longed for such a necklace?’ she asked, for all the world without a care as she met his brooding look. ‘The pearls are wonderful, Luke, and the clasp goes so well with my ring.’
‘That was my intention,’ he said, a faint smile in his eyes. ‘Grandfather asked me to find something for you in the strong room, but I told him I had my own gift for you.’
‘I see.’ Roxanne nodded, because that explained why the earl had not kept his promise. ‘I must thank you so much for my gifts, Luke.’
