Regency Society. Ann LethbridgeЧитать онлайн книгу.
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‘You want work as an actress and you assured me that you can play royalty or the aristocracy to perfection. What I need is a make-believe wife, Roxanne, a woman who can play the part of my fiancée, and, if necessary, marry me. The marriage would be annulled later—and you would receive a generous settlement. You could then live your own life, abroad should you wish it—or perhaps a nice house in the country, where you could entertain your friends.’
Roxanne was stunned, speechless at first, and then firm in denial. ‘That is ridiculous, sir. I do not know how you could suggest such a thing. You do not know me—and I do not know you. Even if I agreed, it would be wrong to deceive your grandfather so cruelly.’
Luke frowned. ‘Last night you said it could be a business arrangement. What is different about my proposal?’
‘I meant a young woman of good family who would marry without love for the sake of a home and children—a lady who would be content to remain at home in the country while you lived as you pleased in town. Is that not the way many marriages are arranged?’
‘Yes, of course, but I explained how I felt about that, the distress and misery it can cause. A proper business arrangement, where the lady in question is paid a sum of money and understands her position from the start—that should not cause unhappiness at all, should it?’
‘No, not if the lady was content with the arrangement.’ Roxanne saw the slightly excited, expectant look on his face. ‘I am not a lady, sir. I told you, I do not know who I am—and I have lived with travelling players for some years. I have appeared on various stages about the country and might be recognised.’
‘That might be a drawback, if you had played in London—but I think you have not?’
‘No, I have never played at a large theatre. Sometimes we were employed by a provincial theatre, but often we set up on village greens or in the yard of an inn, as travelling players have for centuries.’
‘Black Bob is not your relation—or your lover?’
‘Certainly not!’ she cried indignantly.
‘Then I see no reason why you should not oblige me.’
‘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