Proposals in Regency Society: Make-Believe Wife / The Homeless Heiress

‘Do you not?’ Roxanne pressed a spotless white napkin to her mouth, then laid it by her plate. ‘I am grateful for the bed and my food, but I think we should part company now. I will find some way of reaching London alone.’

‘You promised you would not abandon me. We still have one more day on the road.’

‘You are perfectly safe now. These people are honest and they know you. Besides, I do not think you are in pain now.’

‘I am not in as much pain as I was, but if I wanted to get down from the chaise on the road I could not do so without assistance. If my idea upsets you, I withdraw it. Last night I thought you willing. I misjudged the matter. Forgive me, but allow me to take you on to London and find you a place to stay and at least an interview with the manager of a theatre.’

‘I see no reason why you should do anything for me. I have done very little to deserve it, sir.’

‘Apart from saving my life twice?’ Luke grinned at her. ‘Say you are not offended, Roxanne. I assure you that my motives are not those of greed or wishing to deceive—except in a kind way.’

‘A kind way?’

‘I should like my grandfather to die with an easy mind. Is that so very terrible?’

‘No, and if the young lady were willing I should not entirely condemn the idea—but I am not a lady. You would be lying to him if you presented me as a lady of good birth.’

‘Supposing I merely said you were a young lady of good character—would that be a lie?’

‘No.’ Roxanne met his searching gaze. ‘I am untouched—if that is what you mean. Sofia kept me safe. She believed I was of a good family and she wanted me to become a lady. She did not wish me to follow in her footsteps—but a lady is born, not made. I could live quietly, perhaps in Bath, as you suggested, but without patronage I should not be accepted.’

‘Supposing I could find a lady who would sponsor you? Supposing you found yourself able to mix in company—would you then consider becoming my fiancée or, if necessary, wife for a short time?’

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.