Regency Society. Ann Lethbridge

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