Regency Society

‘Roxanne,’ he began hurriedly. ‘I know what I said was unforgivable. I had no right or justification for speaking to you so harshly. You have every right to do exactly as you wish.’

‘Yes, Luke, I do.’ Roxanne raised her head and met his eyes with a cool frank look. ‘I am very fond of Grandfather and I shall not leave him here alone again, though I believe his health is more stable than you may imagine. It is true that he has bouts of illness that could be his last, but he has a very strong will. For as long as he has something to live for he will fight to live.’

‘What are you saying?’ Luke’s gaze narrowed as he tried to gauge what was in her mind. ‘Are you suggesting that we should go ahead with our marriage to please him?’

‘Perhaps.’ She took a deep breath. ‘When I left this house that day I felt that your harsh behaviour towards me made a marriage between us untenable. However, after my distress eased, I came to realise that I did not wish to leave Grandfather—or you. I believe I should have returned to discuss the matter with you in a sensible manner had I not been kidnapped.’

She seemed so calm, so in control that Luke hesitated, not knowing what to believe. ‘I am not certain what you mean,’ he said. ‘Are you intending to go on as before—or is this to be a genuine marriage?’

‘That is up to you,’ she replied. ‘My own preference is for a true marriage. I wish for children and—I am very fond of you, Luke. I like you when you are not in a temper and I believe we could go on very comfortably together.’

‘You like me when I am not in a temper?’ His hands curled into balls at his sides, tension creeping into his voice. ‘The evening of the ball you said…I thought there might be more to your feelings than mere liking.’ His gaze was intent on her face and he was pleased to see a slight unease dawn in her eyes. She was not truly as calm as she pretended. Roxanne might be a superb actress, but she could not quite shut her feelings out. Making a giant stride towards her, Luke took hold of her, one hand on each of her upper arms, staring down at her fiercely. ‘Supposing I want more than mere liking? Supposing I want passion and love—the kind of love that blazes out of control and takes over your life?’

He felt her tremble and she caught her bottom lip between white teeth. Luke smiled, the despair inside him beginning to give way before a new certainty and hope.

‘Is that what you want from me?’ Roxanne asked, a tremor in her voice now. ‘I thought you did not wish to commit to such feelings? You said you did not believe in romantic love, only passion.’

‘It was my belief that I could never truly love,’ Luke said and smiled. ‘Grandfather speaks the truth when he calls me a fool, Roxanne. Everything I ever wanted was there—mine for the taking—but I did not have the sense to see it. Only when I thought you lost, perhaps dead, did I begin to understand how deep my feelings for you actually were. I love you, Roxanne. Not mildly or with fond affection, but with a passion I hardly know how to control. I find the idea of life without you appalling. I want to see you every day, to wake up and find you beside me in my bed—to know that you are mine and always will be.’

Roxanne held back a sob, her face pale and tense. ‘Luke, I do love you. You must know it. Surely you must have known that night?’

‘I discovered something so sweet in your arms that night,’ he murmured huskily, his arms going about her waist as he pulled her close. ‘Yet I feared it. I fled from you before you woke because I was terrified of letting you discover my vulnerability. I was uncertain whether you truly loved me.’

‘You must have known when I clung to you and held nothing back? Surely you knew then?’

‘Yet you so rarely let your feelings show. You are a clever actress, Roxanne. It might have been an act—and it was not all fear that you did not feel as I did; I was afraid that I would hurt you, destroy you, if I allowed myself to offer you a true marriage. I believed my father shallow and thought I might be as he was, but I misjudged him. He lost the woman he truly loved and married my mother just to have an heir for the earldom. He could never love his wife because his heart was in the grave with his one true love. When I thought you might be dead, I knew just what my father felt, Roxanne. Even had I married for an heir in years to come, I should never have loved another woman. You mean everything to me; if you leave me, I shall have nothing left to give anyone.’

‘Oh, Luke…’ Roxanne’s voice caught and a tear escaped, sliding down her cheek. He wiped it away with his fingertips and then bent to kiss her lips. She gave a little moan and pressed herself against him, melting into him so that he felt as if they were one person, one being. ‘Luke, my dearest. When I recovered my senses I knew all that I had lost and I feared I might never see you again. Shulie believed the prince meant to make me his wife and for a short time I feared he might take me with him whether I wished it or not.’

‘But you admired him. I saw it in your eyes—and there is something different about you…’

‘I know who I am now, Luke. Before I wondered if I might be a thief or worse. I was not sure that I was good enough to be your wife and the mistress of this house.’

‘Grandfather knew you were a lady born. He saw quality—as I did had I the sense to realise it.’

‘Yes, but I did not know. I wanted to be worthy of you, Luke. Now the shadows of the past have gone and I know who and what I am.’

‘The notion of India was more true than you knew?’

‘My father was the prince’s tutor. When my mother died of a fever my father brought me home to live with my aunt and uncle—but her husband was a greedy rogue. When Papa sent me the ruby to keep for him, my aunt saw it and her husband was ready to give me to a man who would have used me for his pleasure and made me work as a whore until I died of some disease. I heard him telling her it was either that or he would kill me himself.’

‘Damn him! If I’d known, I would have killed him myself!’

‘My aunt pleaded with him, but she was frightened of him. I ran away that night. I was afraid he would catch me and I ran and ran for a long time…then I was attacked by a vagrant and after that I became ill and I must have wandered in a daze. I remember now that I told Sofia some of the story when I was ill, just little things about India. I cried for my mother and my ayah.’

‘Why did she not tell you later?’

‘Perhaps because she knew it distressed me to try to remember. She invented the game to try to jog my memory, but it did not work and so she decided that it was best to forget the past. She loved me and wanted to keep me safe. Because she feared for me she tried to keep my past a secret, and that is why no one found me for a long time, even when the prince’s men began to search. When she was ill she told me she was sure I was a lady and that I should sell the ruby and set up with a companion. She hoped I would marry well.’

‘She thought you enamoured of the prince,’ Luke said, a hint of jealousy in his voice.

‘I was but a child when we were friends,’ Roxanne said and smiled at him. ‘Sofia asked me about the prince once, but I could not recall him, though I must have said something to her when I was rambling. When she spoke of him I thought she meant one of her lovers, because when I recovered from the fever I had no memory of anything.’

‘He remembered you. He wanted you.’

‘Then why did he not simply take me? I should have found it difficult to escape had he decided to keep me.’

‘He wanted the ruby more,’ Luke said. ‘He knew that I would never give it up while he had you and that’s why he brought you back to me.’

‘Yes, perhaps, though I believe he understood that I belonged to you. I know he made you angry, but his father was always an honourable man and the prince did what was right in the end.’

‘You may think so, but I cannot excuse the fellow. He had the effrontery to offer to buy you from me,’ Luke said, a grim look on his face. ‘He said that he would pay my price whatever that might be. I told him that you were a pearl beyond price and not for sale.’

‘He tried to buy me from you?’ Roxanne was stunned, incredulous. ‘Is that what made you so angry?’

‘What would you expect? He said that if I was making a marriage of convenience, he would make it worth my while to give you up.’

‘How could he?’ Roxanne felt a surge of anger. ‘He had no right. I am not your property. I am not anyone’s property.’

‘That is the gist of what I told him, though perhaps not quite in those words,’ Luke said. He hesitated, studying her face and trying to read her mind. ‘Can you forgive me, Roxanne? Will you give me another chance?’

‘Are you asking me to marry you?’

‘Yes, of course.’ Luke suddenly dropped on one knee before her, gazing up at her in earnest. ‘Roxanne, will you do me the honour of becoming my wife? I love you and your agreement will make me the happiest man alive.’

She seemed to hesitate for one instant and Luke’s heart sank; then she smiled and inclined her head.

‘Yes, of course I shall, Luke. Please get up. There was no need to kneel to me. All I want is to know that I am truly wanted and loved. I do not require homage, nor shall I tie you to me. You may live as you wish, visit London as often as you choose. I ask only that you love me and return to me when you are ready.’

‘Unless forced by business, I shall never want to leave you for more than a few hours, my darling.’

Luke was on his feet, drawing her into his arms. He crushed her against him, knowing that she must feel the heat and force of his arousal and he held her pressed into his body. He wanted her to know how fierce was his need and his desire.

‘I wanted you from the first moment we met,’ he said hoarsely. ‘At first I thought to make you my mistress, but…’ His hold tightened as he felt her stiffen, pressing her even closer. ‘For a long time now I’ve known that making you my mistress would not serve. I suspect that even when I first asked you to enter a make-believe marriage, I knew somewhere deep inside me that once I had you I should never wish to let you go.’

‘Luke…I hoped, but was never certain…’

‘You do care for me a little? I know I am far from perfect—but you do truly love me?’

Roxanne smiled tenderly. ‘I think I fell in love with you the moment you opened your eyes and looked at me, but I did not admit it until much later. I was afraid that you would never love me—afraid that if you sensed my feelings you would feel trapped.’

‘I did for a short time,’ Luke admitted honestly. ‘I did not want to feel love, because I know that it can bring so much pain. I saw my mother’s misery and my father’s chafing at the bonds that tied him to a woman he did not love. I was a coward to run from love, Roxanne—but I swear I shall never give you cause to doubt me again.’

‘Then we shall be married as soon as it can be arranged,’ Roxanne told him. She offered her hand, her eyes bright with love. ‘I believe we should tell Grandfather. He cares for us both so much, Luke. Before we came here he was lonely and unhappy. The breach between you was too wide for either of you to cross. Now I think you have reached an understanding?’

‘Because of you the breach has closed and we are a family once more.’ Luke reached out to touch her cheek. ‘While you were missing, our mutual despair drew us together and we realised that we loved each other. Grandfather told me I was a fool and he was right. I had no idea how fortunate I was that day my horse took a tumble in the woods.’

‘If I had not run away from Black Bob that day, we might never have met.’ Roxanne shuddered and moved closer to him. ‘How much we might both have lost, Luke.’

‘I think it was our destiny.’ He leaned down to kiss her once more. ‘Come, we should put Grandfather’s mind at rest, though I am certain he already knows.’

‘I think the old rascal is truly content now,’ Luke said as he took Roxanne’s hand. The earl had retired to bed after eating supper with them in the parlour and they were strolling in the moonlight, enjoying the warmth of a summer night. ‘He seems much better now, though at times I see that he is still frail.’

‘We must make his life as full as possible,’ Roxanne said. ‘We shall live here for most of the time, Luke, though I know you have other estates and a house in London.’

‘Once I thought the country boring, but it cannot be so when you are here, my love. It may be that I shall have to tend to business at my own estate from time to time and if you cannot accompany me I must leave you here—but I shall return as soon as I can.’

‘Perhaps one day we shall spend more time in London or at your own estate, but for Grandfather’s sake we must be here as often as we can, dearest.’

‘You are as caring as you are beautiful,’ Luke said and drew her near, bending his head to kiss her mouth. ‘I want you so much. I can hardly bear to wait for our wedding night, Roxanne.’

‘And why should you wait?’ she whispered against his mouth. ‘I do not think you need to consider my modesty or my reputation since the servants all knew what happened on the night of the ball.’ She gurgled with delicious laughter and pressed herself against him. ‘Take me to bed, Luke. I am as impatient as you—and it is only another ten days to our wedding.’

‘Wicked seductress,’ he murmured and touched her cheek. ‘Since it is too late to save either your reputation or mine, I believe I shall take you at your word.’

‘You look beautiful, Miss Roxanne,’ the housekeeper said when she brought up the posy of white roses and lilies tied with red ribbons. ‘It’s a shame that you’ve no family to share your special day.’

‘My family is here,’ Roxanne said and impulsively kissed her cheek. ‘You are as a friend to me, Mrs Arlet. Everyone has made me welcome, right from the first moment I came here. If I have no mother, I have my memories and I have my friends. Grandfather is to give me away. Why should I need anyone else?’

‘You’re a proper lady, miss, and no mistake,’ Mrs Arlet said. ‘We’re all so happy that you and his lordship intend to make this your main home.’

‘We shall honeymoon in Paris and we shall spend a few weeks in London sometimes, but I love this house. Lord Clarendon knows that and it is the reason that he has agreed to live here.’

‘We are all so excited, Miss Roxanne. His lordship was telling us about the plans he has for bringing the house and estate up to modern standards.’

‘Yes, I know. Grandfather had allowed things to stagnate a little, but Clarendon will change all that—and that is as it should be. I know the earl is delighted with the way things have turned out.’

‘Is there anything I can do for you, miss?’

‘No, thank you. I am almost ready. I shall come down in a few moments.’

‘I’ll leave you with Tilly then.’ Mrs Arlet nodded as the maid entered bearing some floral tributes, gifts and cards. ‘We all wish you happiness, Miss Roxanne.’

‘Thank you,’ Roxanne replied and nodded as she went out, closing the door behind her. ‘So many people have sent gifts,’ she said as her maid laid the packages on the dressing table. ‘Where have all these things come from?’

‘Some were delivered by hand, miss. I think his lordship sent this one.’

Roxanne took the small package she offered and opened it, smiling as she saw the diamond-and-pearl earrings, which would go with the pearls he had given her and the bracelet of pearls and diamonds that the earl had sent her earlier that morning. She read the card, smiled and then slipped them into her ears. Looking at her reflection, she nodded in a pleased way. She picked up a posy, held it to her nose and smiled, then indicated another small parcel.

‘What is the other package?’

‘That came from London this morning, miss.’ She picked it up and handed it to her.

Roxanne opened it and gasped as she saw the huge pearl. It was pink, flawless and shaped like a teardrop. Set in gold at the pointed end, it could be worn as a pendant. She picked it up, looking at it as it lay in her palm and thinking that it must be very valuable, then saw the card that had lain beneath it.

For a pearl beyond price, she read and frowned as she saw the signature. This comes from Prince Ranjit on behalf of his family.

Replacing the pearl in its nest of black velvet, Roxanne fastened the pearls Luke had given her about her throat.

‘I shall go down now, Tilly,’ she said. ‘Please finish packing my things for me. There are only a few trinkets for my dressing case. Everything else we have not already decided on can remain here. Clarendon says that we should not take too much, because he intends to buy clothes in Paris.’

‘Very well, miss.’ Tilly couldn’t keep the note of excitement from her voice. ‘I’ve never been to France, miss.’

‘I visited with friends when we travelled as a group,’ Roxanne said with a smile. ‘I liked it well enough then, but I think it will be wonderful this time.’

Picking up her posy, she walked from the room and negotiated the stairs with care, her train flowing behind her. The earl and most of the servants had gathered below to greet her. She kissed the earl and then turned to a young woman whom she had met for the first time and immediately liked the previous evening.

‘Mrs Fox, I am so glad you could come to us—and I hope you like the gown we chose for you. Luke has told me so much about you. Your husband was his dearest friend and I am so pleased that we are to be friends.’

‘It is a lovely gown and it was kind of you to invite me to be one of your attendants,’ Beth Fox said. ‘Please, you must call me Beth. I owe so much to Luke, as you know. After my darling Harry died and I was left alone with a child and no money, Lord Clarendon found me and provided me with a house of my own. I believe you stayed there for a short time before I moved in?’

‘The charming house in Hampstead? Yes, I stayed in your guestroom for a short time. Luke told me your story recently,’ Roxanne said with a smile. ‘Your father and your husband’s family rejected you because they did not approve of the marriage. It was unkind of them to leave you to fend for yourself with a young child to bring up alone. I am glad Luke helped you and I want you to visit with us whenever you choose.’

‘Luke is fortunate in his choice of a bride,’ Beth said and kissed her. ‘Many would have believed the whispers and thought me his mistress—though it has never been so, nor could it be. We both loved Harry and felt only friendship for each other.’

‘Luke is an honourable man and those who think otherwise malign him,’ Roxanne said. ‘Now that you are here for our wedding people will see that they were mistaken. Luke ought to have told Grandfather the truth before, but his stubborn pride would not let him defend his honour. It made him angry because the earl believed the tittle-tattle that you were his mistress.’

‘You are all so kind. I was not sure I should be welcomed by the earl, who was a close friend of my father-in-law, but I have been invited to bring my son and stay whenever I wish. The earl is so generous, Roxanne. I am not surprised you are so fond of him.’

‘Grandfather has made me welcome here from the beginning,’ Roxanne said and went to his side, taking his hand. ‘Shall we leave? I should not wish to keep Luke waiting.’

Luke turned his head as the organ began to play. Roxanne had just entered the church, standing at the far end of the nave with his grandfather, Beth and some young girls as her bridesmaids. She was so beautiful. His heart caught with pride as she walked towards him. As she reached his side, he offered his hand and she took it. He smiled and whispered, ‘You look lovely, my dearest one.’

‘Thank you.’

Her hand trembled slightly and he pressed it as the ceremony began.

‘Dearly beloved. We are gathered together to see this man and this woman joined in Holy matrimony…’

The words droned on and Luke gave his responses in a firm strong tone. Roxanne’s voice was clear and light, carrying to the rear of the church. Luke reached out to lift the white veiling that fell from her satin bonnet and leaned forwards to kiss her softly on the lips.

They advanced towards the high altar to be blessed and then to the vestry where they both signed their names. Then the bells rang out joyously and they were walking into the sunshine. A small crowd awaited their coming and rushed forwards to shower them with flower petals and rice.

After receiving good wishes and small tributes from the villagers, Luke took his bride’s hand and hurried her to the carriage drawn up in the lane. He helped her inside, waiting until the door was closed fast before drawing her into his arms to kiss her.

‘My sweet love,’ he murmured huskily. ‘I was afraid this day might never happen, but it has and I am the happiest of men.’

‘Thank you for my surprise gifts,’ Roxanne said and touched the magnificent earrings she wore. ‘You have given me so much…’

Luke smiled, touching her cheek with his fingertips. ‘The earrings are just one of many gifts I intend to make you, my darling. I have others for this evening when we are alone—and in Paris I shall buy you all the clothes and trinkets you could desire.’

‘You are intent on spoiling me,’ Roxanne said and leaned closer to kiss him. ‘I love the gifts you’ve given me, Luke—but it is your love I prize more than any jewel.’

‘My love is yours for ever,’ he murmured huskily. ‘I shall show you later how prized you are, Roxanne.’

‘This is the happiest day of my life.’

She reached up and kissed him.

‘My beloved.’ Luke drew her close as passion surged between them. ‘How fortunate I feel.’

The large reception hall was overflowing with guests. They spilled over into the parlours and out on to the terraces in the sunshine, the sound of laughter and chattering voices resounding throughout the house.

The bride and groom stood together to welcome all their guests. It was a glittering occasion, for friends and relatives had come from all parts of the country to stay and witness the wedding.

‘I never thought I should see this day,’ the earl said to Roxanne when she brought him a slice of rich fruity wedding cake with thick white icing. ‘I don’t know when I’ve ever seen Luke look this happy, girl. I never expected to see him head over heels in love, but there’s no doubt of it. It’s a transformation and one that gives me a deal of pleasure.’

‘We are both very fortunate,’ Roxanne said and took his hand, holding it to her cheek. ‘I owe this to you, Grandfather. Luke told me what you said to him—the way you made him realise that he was in danger of losing everything he truly wanted.’

‘I told him the truth about things he should have known long ago,’ the earl said, shaking his head. ‘If it made the difference, I’m glad.’

Music had begun to play. Luke came to Roxanne and took her hand, leading her out to the middle of the floor. They danced together, a slow stately performance, then suddenly the music changed and he swept her into his arms as they waltzed.

‘I want to take you somewhere quiet and make love to you,’ he whispered against her ear. ‘How much longer must I wait?’

‘Luke…’ Roxanne drew back, her mouth soft and seductive as she smiled. ‘Be patient, beloved. We shall be together very soon now—and we have the rest of our lives to make love.’

‘Hardly enough,’ he murmured throatily. ‘I want you for ever. Eternity is not long enough for all the things I want to tell you.’

It was as if Luke had suddenly discovered a well of emotions and feelings that he’d never known existed and they spilled over, engulfing her in a tide of love and desire.

‘Well, I shall go up and change very soon,’ Roxanne told him. ‘You could follow me if you wish and…’ She left the words unsaid, but her eyes told him all he wished to know.

Roxanne slipped out of her wedding gown and put on a soft silk wrap. She took the brush in her right hand and began to stroke it over her hair, letting the dark red tresses fall over her shoulders and down her back.