Page 2 of A Rogue to Cherish

Grant exhaled, straining to hear if anyone was up and about. It was probably almost nine, or perhaps half past. It didn’t matter, there was little to do that day.

But then, there was a rap on the door and Grant croaked out a husky, “Come in.”

“Tea, sir?” The butler, who seemed to know exactly what was needed, entered with a tray. “I’ve taken the liberty of asking Cook to make some toasted bread as well.”

Grant could kiss the man. “Thank you, Norman. You are a godsend.”

The man’s craggy face softened. “You are very welcome, sir.”

When he’d finally risen and dressed, Grant decided the weather would be perfect for a ride into town. Perhaps he’d visit Miles or take a turn through the park where people would be out, enjoying the sunny day. As he pondered, the sound of horses drew him to the window where he spotted a carriage pulling up to the house. Since his sister Felicity and her husband Evan were both gone, it was strange that a visitor would come for them and, as he very rarely entertained, whoever came was definitely not there to see him.

The driver climbed down and went to the carriage door, opened it, and assisted a woman out into the sun-filled late morning. She was not familiar, which convinced him that she was not there to see him. But because the carriage was quite luxurious, it made her appearance of sturdy shoes and worn clothes curious.

It was then that he noted the seal on the door; it was the Roberts’ crest. Lucinda Roberts, his lover, was a demanding older woman with a voracious, and at times shocking, sexual appetite. She was no doubt put out that he’d not spent time with her in the last couple of days. Grant realized she had sent the woman, probably with a message for him.

He watched as the maid scrambled up to the front door and knocked, her small hand barely making a sound against the thick wooden door. Norman, who apparently had excellent hearing, must have heard the soft knocks because moments later, he appeared at Grant’s door. “Sir, a young woman is here to speak to you.”

“Thank you, Norman. I will be down shortly,” Grant drawled, not in the mood to be summoned by his demanding and much older lover, who took every opportunity to parade him in front of her peers. The action always garnered varying reactions. Some studied him as if he was some sort of artifact, others with glares of disapproval, or in the case of the more adventurous, resulted in invitations for a tryst.

Upon reaching the first floor, Grant didn’t see the young woman. She wasn’t in the drawing room either, so he went in search of Norman.

“Where is she?” he asked, annoyed.

“I left her in the drawing room, sir,” the butler replied, hurrying to the room.

It was then Grant saw her. She stood near the far corner of the room, looking out the window.

“Right,” Grant said and turned back to study the woman. She was of average height, with a slender figure and dark auburn hair that was pinned up under a simple kerchief. When he cleared his throat, she jumped and turned to look at him.

“I apologize, sir, I was admiring the gardens. They are beautiful,” she said. He opened his mouth to respond, but she continued, “It is quite a lovely day, is it not? I do adore flowers, and these are quite well-tended. I can only imagine the garden would be the perfect place to sit and…” She trailed off as her almond-shaped blue eyes widened and her cheeks turned bright red. She covered her mouth with both hands. “I am so sorry for going on, sir.”

Grant couldn’t help but chuckle. He looked to the window. “My sister spends a great deal of time out there. She is quite proud of her garden and will be glad when I tell her someone admired it so.”

“Thank you, sir,” the young woman said. “For you.” She held out a paper. “From Lady Roberts.”

Of course. Grant let out a sigh and for some reason felt uncomfortable by the young woman’s looking on while he read the message. “Wait here.” He started to walk away but then thought better of it, and turned back to face her. “No, instead—come with me.”

They walked out a side door and into the garden. He was rewarded by the young woman’s gasp of delight. She looked up at him with expectation. “Explore as much as you wish. I will return in a moment,” he told her before returning to the house.

Once in the study, he paced for a few minutes before opening the envelope and pulling out the thin sheet of expensive paper within.

Grant darling,

It has been days since you have seen me. I am in despair over your absence.

Come immediately. We must talk.

I yearn for you.

Lucinda

Grant crumpled the paper and blew out a breath. If not for the fact the woman was about to pay for a venture that would secure his independence by making him rich, he’d not reply at all.

Walking over to the fireplace, he tossed the paper into the fire and watched as the flames consumed it. How easy it would be to walk away at this point. To not continue to put up with Lucinda’s need for constant attention.

How he yearned for a strong, independent woman. His sister Felicity was a prime example of a woman who was self-reliant and an equal decision-maker with her husband, Evan. Then there was his friend Henry’s wife, who’d managed a household and all that had to be done in spite of and following her father’s murder and mother’s abandonment.

Lucinda, on the other hand, was as helpless as a babe, requiring a team of maids, accountants, assistants, and lovers to see to her every need. Attention was like air to her.