Anne Herries - Proposals in Regency Society

The fair had spread out over much of the Heath. There were stalls of all kinds and the smells of hot pies and toffee apples were mouth watering. A man on stilts was walking through the crowds, telling people to visit the bearded lady and the dog with two heads, as well as to watch the wrestling match and the bowling for a pig. Luke paid to try his hand at the shooting range, but his shots went astray and he made a sound of annoyance.

‘I am sure the barrel is not straight. I will have one more attempt. Walk a little further and I shall catch you up in a moment.’

Roxanne smiled and left him, feeling amused that he was so determined to win her a fairing. She would not go too far, but wander around the stalls, which sold all manner of pretty trifles. She would have liked to buy a small gift for Luke, but her few pennies would not stretch far and she was afraid to spend them in case she needed them.

She stood for a moment watching a man swallowing a sword and juggling with fire. Then, feeling a tingling at the nape of her neck, she glanced to her left where a group of men were standing haggling over horses and a shiver went down her spine. A man with black hair and a swarthy complexion was looking at her. She knew him at once and felt the fear sweep through her. How unfortunate that he should be at the fair! If he came to her and demanded she return with him, he might force her to go.

She had to return to Luke! Yet if she did so, she might bring trouble on him; his leg was better than when he fell, but she knew it still pained him. Perhaps she could lose Black Bob in the crowd. Turning away, she began to walk hastily back the way she had come, but almost immediately collided with a man. He put out his hands to steady her.

‘Whoa,’ he said and laughed as she gave a cry of alarm. ‘Where are you going in such a hurry, Roxanne? Were you running away from me?’

‘Not from you.’ Roxanne breathed a sigh of relief as she looked up at Luke’s teasing smile. ‘I saw someone I did not wish to meet.’

‘The man you ran away from after Sofia died?’

‘Yes.’ Roxanne drew a deep breath. She glanced back and saw that Black Bob had followed her but now he was hesitating, looking uncertain. ‘Please give me your arm. He is watching us. I was afraid he might try to grab me; but he did not expect to see you. If you seem to be a friend, he may think he was mistaken.’

Luke offered his arm and she took it, her hand trembling slightly. He glanced down, a frown on his face. ‘You are afraid of him, aren’t you?’ She nodded. ‘Damn the fellow. Shall I thrash him for you?’

‘No, please do not try. He was stronger than all the other men—and you are injured.’ She glanced down at his tight-fitting breeches and long, highly polished boots. ‘Is your leg better?’

‘Much. My doctor bound it and instructed me to rest, which I have as much as I could bear. I have an ache now, but the sharp pain has gone. It was a dislocation after all and not the break I feared—so it seems our rustic physician knew his trade. My own doctor had nothing but praise for his work.’

‘I did not doubt it, but you were in such pain afterwards that I feared he might have done some damage.’

‘My physician told me I was lucky. Had the fellow not acted as he did, I might have had an infection in the leg and been far worse. I might even have lost the use of it. However, I fear I made too much fuss of a slight thing.’

‘I am sure you did not. Do you think Black Bob is following us?’

Luke glanced back. ‘I believe he has gone. He will have realised he was mistaken or given up, I dare say.’

‘Yes, perhaps.’ Roxanne caught her bottom lip between her teeth. Luke’s timely appearance might have put him off for the moment, but it would not stop him if their paths crossed again. ‘I do not think I can continue to stay here. If that man discovered where I was living, he might make trouble for you—and for Mrs Fox when she takes up residence.’

‘Surely he would not?’ He arched his fine brows as if to dismiss her fears.

‘You do not know what he is like. He is a violent, brutal man who never considers the wishes of others.’

‘I believe you, but surely it is not necessary to hide from him?’

‘If he found me, he would try to force me to go with him.’

‘Then what would you like to do?’

Roxanne looked at him hesitantly. ‘To be honest I do not know. Now that he has seen me here, London may not be the best place for me to find work.’

‘Then let me take you to stay with my grandfather. We can announce our engagement—and you can help me do something kind. Had my grandfather not set his mind on this I should simply have ignored his demands. My lawyer tells me that he could in law withhold the income from my trust, though he is not the only trustee and my godmother might take my side. Yet because of his illness I would make his last months happy if I can. To engage in bitter arguments and legal battles could only shorten his life.’

‘Are you sure he would accept me?’ Roxanne glanced down at herself. Inside she was trembling. The life he offered was a golden prize. Yet she was wary too, conscious that she might be laying up trouble for herself. ‘I know the clothes you have given me have made me look the part—but are you sure he will not see through my disguise at once?’

‘I do not think it. You are everything Grandfather asked me to provide in the woman that I intend to marry, Roxanne. Charming, good mannered and conscientious—what more could he want in a wife for me? Besides, if he does not approve that will end it. I shall bow to his judgement, take you to Bath and make sure you have all you need to live in comfort for the rest of your life.’

Roxanne gazed at him in silence for a moment. Sofia’s voice was in her head, warning her to be careful. Was he merely trying to deceive her into an illicit entanglement? No, no, she believed he had a true concern for his grandfather.

‘You are quite sure you wish to do this?’

‘I have given the idea more thought since I left you with Mrs Mills. She has served my family all her life and her opinion of you has confirmed mine. You may have lived in the company of travelling players for a few years, but before that you were strictly reared. I had wondered if I should need to teach you how to behave in society, but you know instinctively. Do this for me, Roxanne. Please, help me to make Grandfather’s last days more content. Afterwards, you will be free to live your own life.’

‘Supposing he lives much longer than you expect?’

Luke gave her a thoughtful look. ‘You may have to marry me. I know it isn’t what you want—but it would be temporary, and in time you could live your own life. We could have the marriage annulled and you would still be young enough to marry again.’

It would be like an acting contract with a theatre manager. She would play a part for some months, perhaps longer, and then move on. Easy enough, perhaps, yet supposing her emotions became involved?

‘An engagement is easily broken but…’ Roxanne hesitated, then, ‘Marriage is a last resort and only if it becomes impossible to prolong the engagement. It cannot be what you wish for?’

‘I have no wish to marry, but it would be a business arrangement, nothing more. I enjoy my life the way it is—but for Grandfather’s sake I am prepared to play a game of make believe.’

‘It is really just a part I must play, but on a smaller stage and in private rather than public,’ Roxanne said thoughtfully.

‘Yes, mostly in private—though I dare say Grandfather will give an occasional dinner for us.’

‘I can manage that,’ Roxanne replied confidently. ‘Besides, your grandfather may think me unsuitable and then I can simply go away and disappear.’