Make-Believe Wife by Anne Herries Page A

you have done for me?’
    â€˜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.’
    â€˜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.’
    â€˜What do you mean to tell her?’
    â€˜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.
    â€˜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.’
    â€˜Lord Clarendon, how good to see you,’ she said and dipped a curtsy, her curious eyes on Roxanne.
    â€˜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.’
    â€˜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.’
    â€˜We must hope so, Mrs Mills—but you know my grandfather.’
    â€˜Indeed, I do, sir, and if you will forgive me, I thought him a harsh guardian after your dear parents died so tragically.’
    â€˜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.
    â€˜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.
    â€˜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.’
    â€˜Yes, I am sure you are right,’ Roxanne said as she was shown into a bedchamber. ‘What a lovely room.’
    â€˜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.’
    â€˜Mrs Fox is the lady who is to live here?’
    â€˜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