Make-Believe Wife by Anne Herries

there.’
    â€˜The accident…’
    â€˜When the late Lord and Lady Clarendon were killed, miss.’
    â€˜Ah, yes,’ Roxanne nodded. ‘I was not sure of your meaning.’
    â€˜No, miss. I suppose there have been a few accidents in the family, what with the earl’s only son dying of a fever when he was in his teen years—and then the earl’s wife taking a chill after being caught in a rainstorm. I think it broke the master’s heart when his daughter was killed so cruelly. He never quite got over it, for she was his favourite.’ Mrs Arlet shook her head. ‘Theyhave not been a lucky family, but I am certain that is all about to change now, miss.’
    â€˜Yes, we must hope so,’ Roxanne replied. It was amazing how much she had learned from the housekeeper in just a few minutes. Luke had told her his parents’ story, but not the rest of it. She understood now why he was prepared to go through with this sham engagement in order to please his grandfather in his last months. She must not let him down, however hard it might be to carry off the part of a loving fiancée. ‘That is up to me in part, is it not?’
    â€˜There’s been a different atmosphere here since the letter came,’ Mrs Arlet said. She unlocked a door and stood back for Roxanne to enter. ‘The earl gave orders for most of the rooms to be opened up immediately. We’ll be giving a ball to celebrate his lordship’s engagement, miss. Everyone will want to meet you.’
    â€˜Oh…yes, of course,’ Roxanne said and took a deep breath as she looked about her. ‘This is beautiful, thank you. When will the ball be held? I am not sure I brought a gown suitable for a grand ball.’
    â€˜No doubt that can be rectified, miss. There are bales of silk in the sewing room waiting for just such a purpose. We’ll fetch the seamstress from town and she will be pleased to serve you. You’ll be the countess one day, after all.’
    â€˜Yes.’ Roxanne looked round. ‘I think perhaps I should tidy myself.’
    â€˜Yes, miss. The earl will be waiting for you in the main parlour downstairs. If you could be ready, I shall serve tea in twenty minutes.’
    â€˜I can be ready, but I’m not certain I know where to go.’
    â€˜Lord bless you, miss. Just go down the stairs to the main hall and someone will direct you. The footmen are here for that very purpose and we are all eager to make your stay at Hartingdon as pleasant as possible.’
    Roxanne thanked her and she went away. She was left standing in a small but pretty sitting room and beyond that was a bedroom. The main colours were green, gold, cream and yellow, which gave the rooms a light bright appearance. Roxanne ran her fingers reverently over the surface of a delicate and very pretty desk suitable for a lady. An elbow chair was set ready for use; the sofa was covered in green-striped silk and there was a rolled cushion at each end. Small occasional tables were dotted about the room and a bookcase with leather-bound volumes and porcelain figures behind the glass doors occupied the length of one wall.
    Going into the bedroom, which was equally well furnished with a dressing table, matching chests and a padded stool at the end of the bed, Roxanne took off her pelisse and let it fall on one of the pretty chairs. She sat down in front of the dressing table and studied her reflection in the shield-shaped mirror. The frame was fashioned of smooth mahogany and inlaid with satinwood, set on a stand so that it could be moved to give a better view. The table was set out with silver items, including brushes and combs and perfume pots. How much luxury there was in a house like this!
    She had removed her bonnet earlier and now took the brush to smooth over her hair, pulling at the tendrilsthat framed her face. She was wearing a silver brooch in her lace, but otherwise had no jewellery other than her