Make-Believe Wife by Anne Herries Read Free Book Online Page B

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.
    â€˜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 meas your fiancée and explain that we could not marry until…my father returns from India, it might serve.’
    â€˜Is your father in India?’
    â€˜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.’
    â€˜Your friend was a remarkable lady.’
    â€˜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.’
    â€˜It must have been terrifying for you.’
    â€˜Yes, at first, but Sofia helped me through the dark times when the nightmares came.’
    â€˜You were lucky to have her.’
    â€˜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?’
    â€˜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.’
    â€˜Then…’ Roxanne sighed ‘…perhaps we might have a business arrangement if you wished for it.’
    â€˜I begin to see how the story might work,’ Luke said, his gaze narrowed. ‘I could say that you were thedaughter 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.’
    â€˜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.’
    â€˜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?’
    â€˜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 life extremely difficult forme and the people I support. Besides, his cousin Harte is a