Make-Believe Wife by Anne Herries Page B

down.’
    Roxanne looked about her at the pretty satinwood furniture, the silken hangings of green and white and the crystal trinkets with silver tops on the dressing table. If this was the guest room, Mrs Fox’s room must be something special. Clearly Luke had deep feelings for the widow.
    Was Mrs Fox his mistress? The thought troubled Roxanne. If he had feelings for the lady—and he must, for he would not otherwise have provided her with a house and Mrs Mills to care for her and her son—why had he brought Roxanne here?
    If he already had a son, why did he not produce him as his heir and marry the boy’s mother? It would surely solve all his problems.
    Luke had told her he did not wish for a marriage of convenience. Was that because his heart belonged to a woman he could not marry?
    Perhaps the earl thought Mrs Fox unworthy. What would he think of a young woman who knew nothing of her background and might even be a thief?
    No, Roxanne was certain she was not a thief. She did not know why she had the ruby in her possession when she was found, but she would not have stolen it—would she?
    Sighing, she gave up the attempt to remember. She remembered nothing but her life with the travelling players and Sofia. The vivid pictures that flitted through her mind at times were merely Sofia’s stories—put there to fill the blankness that had been there when she woke from her illness and cried for days.
    â€˜Oh, Sofia,’ she whispered as she sat down on thebed and ran her hand over the silken covers. ‘What am I to do? I like him so much—but I fear that I am headed for trouble. I should run away now, go to London and forget him…but I feel as if something binds me to him.’
    â€˜He will break your heart.’
    The words were only in her head. Sofia was no longer there to guide and comfort her. She was alone and must use her wits to keep herself safe. Luke Clarendon was offering an arrangement that would make her independent for the rest of her life. All she had to do was to play a part—and keep a little distance between them.
    A tiny voice in her head told her it was already too late, but she was no longer listening.
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    Roxanne smiled and lifted her face to the sun. She had been staying here for almost a week now. Life was comfortable and pleasant; Roxanne was beginning to feel at home, but she did not dare to let herself feel too settled. She was here under false pretences and that made her feel a little guilty. Once or twice she had considered hiring a cab to take her into the centre of London in search of work at a theatre.
    â€˜Roxanne…’ Mrs Mill’s voice calling to her made her glance over her shoulder. She looked at her basket. She had enough flowers for now. ‘His lordship has arrived.’
    â€˜Thank you.’ She saw that Luke had come out into the garden in search of her and her heart quickened as she went to meet him. ‘I thought you would not be here until this evening.’
    â€˜I was able to get away sooner.’ He looked at her approvingly. ‘That gown suits you well, Roxanne.’
    â€˜I am glad you approve. You chose it.’
    â€˜So I did,’ he said. ‘Fetch your bonnet and a shawl if you wish for one. As I rode here I saw a fair on the Heath. It is an age since I visited a fair. Shall we go, Roxanne? I’ll buy you a toffee apple.’
    She laughed and shook her head. ‘I do not think I should care for it, but there will be other treats I dare say. Yes, if you wish, we may as well spend a little time there for it is a lovely afternoon.’
    â€˜Then we shall go and if you do not wish for a toffee apple I will win you a fairing at the shooting range.’
    Roxanne agreed and ran inside to fetch her bonnet. She did not know why, but the prospect of spending the afternoon at the fair with him was delightful. She had come to know him a little these past days and to like what she learned of him