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Chapter 102
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The League of Rogues Chapter 103
Cedric slumped heavily in his chair at breakfast the following morning. He'd barely slept last night. Regret and remorse had beat about him incessantly, resulting in a rather nasty headache, causing pinpricks of light in his otherwise sightless vision, as if to mock him as well as inflict pain. The soft click of the dining room door alerted him that he was no longer alone."How was last night?" Ashton's asked in a soft voice.Cedric almost smiled. When he'd first become blind, people often raised their voices at him, as though his hearing had been destroyed and not his sight. Yet the sense most improved after the accident had been his hearing, by a fair margin. He heard even the smallest, lightest sounds now.There was the low whir of a bumblebee as it butted against the dining room window behind him. There were the creaks in the old manor house, each groan of wood and protest of stone like an elderly man's weary sighs. Without any visual vibrancy, Cedric saw the world in a way he n
The League of Rogues Chapter 104
Anne put a hand to her lips. The taste and feel of Cedric's mouth still lingered pleasantly. She was torn between running after him and running far away. Although she could not remember him, or anything about herself, she was positive that she desired him. Her body responded with liquid fire to his touch, his kiss, even his voice. Cedric's every action toward her screamed of the primal mating of bodies and souls. Would it be so bad to give in to her desires? They were husband and wife, after all.She could give in, but she decided that she would not let him be aware of such an intention. Not yet. Anne had her pride like anyone else, and Cedric's story had raised some questions she needed answered first. She was, however, fascinated with the idea of Cedric fully dominating her with that tender but exciting passion."My lady?" A voice broke through her thoughts. It was the young footman, Sean Hartley. He waited patiently at the edge of the doorway."Come in, Hartley. I am told that I
The League of Rogues Chapter 105
Clad only in her chemise, Anne headed toward the water. She felt rather wicked, being so scantily clad, but this was her property now, by virtue of marriage, and she wanted to do this. Only her husband had the power to stop her from doing as she wished, and he was far off on the other side of the lake. The thought almost made her laugh. He would be furious no doubt, but rather than scare her, the idea instead amused her.It had been awhile since she'd indulged in such improper behavior of swimming in her underclothes. Even though she remembered little of her past, she couldn't deny how freeing the water felt lapping at her bare legs. As she pushed deeper into the cold lake, a memory surfaced.Frolicking in the shallows of a similar lake, an older man watching her, an indulgent smile on his kind face. She laughed, a child's laugh, happy to play while her father remained close.The pain of seeing that man's face for only a moment cut deep.Papa. He had been dead only a week before sh
The League of Rogues Chapter 106
Cedric kissed Anne's forehead, taking pride in having weakened his woman's resolve. He felt like a conqueror of old, having taken his woman and sated her. He'd denied his own in return, but there had been a wonderful heat inside him at feeling her come apart in his arms. She was far less inhibited than before. He had to fight off the waves of lust that demanded he claim her completely.He stole another kiss from her lips. "I love it when you melt into me like that." He nipped her bottom lip, feeling playful and yet relaxed. Anne responded with a fatigued sigh and slid lower into the tub, no doubt too exhausted to stay upright."I think it's time we got out you of there, love.""So soon?"Cedric lifted her to her feet and began to dry her off. Anne didn't even feign a protest. He took his time, drying every lickable inch of her. When he returned her to his bed, he helped her don her nightgown and reset the sling for her arm. Exhaustion claimed Anne, and she put up no resistance when
The League of Rogues Chapter 107
The skies were once again heavy with black clouds, the bellies of which hung low enough to touch the distant horizon. Anne gazed at the ominous sight as the gloom of the coming storm settled around her and Cedric. The air was filled with the rich scent of late-blooming flowers and of rain yet to come. Her skin tingled as a warm breeze swirled and eddied about her. The stables were just ahead, the musty aroma of hay and polished leather teased her, reminding her of a past that was still somewhat hazy.Cedric swung his lion-headed cane back and forth over the gravel path as they walked toward the wide double door entrance of the stables."How many horses do you have?"He flashed an indulgent smile. "You mean how many do we have? They are yours now as well. And we have fourteen, including my four dappled grays for my private coaches.""And the Arabians? What are their names?" Anne's hand tightened on his arm as they reached the stable doors.Cedric paused, sweeping his cane over the
The League of Rogues Chapter 108
Cedric cursed and pulled out before plunging back in. His hips pistoned against the cushion of her backside. He'd never favored willowy fey-like women, preferring a woman closer to his size. Anne was a perfect matchher muscled body with elegant lines and rich curves was the most erotic thing he'd ever felt beneath him. She met his energy with her own, and he was relieved and excited. He'd feared taking her like this would upset her, but now he was unable to regret his actions.To finally have her in the way he'd craved for years, it was too much, the pleasure too intense. Every instinct screamed with animal intent, to bind her to him forever. Now he had made her his, as much as any man could possess a woman. Men so often deluded themselves into believing they controlled the fairer sex, whether in bed or marriage. But the truth was that they could no sooner catch hold of a woman than they could harness the wind. And Anne was certainly a gale force he'd never wished to tame, only embrac
The League of Rogues Chapter 109
Icy, clawing darkness. Choking, suffocating blackness. No air.Charles couldn't breathe. Ropes cut into his wrists and his ankles, immobilizing him. Struggling, the burn of his lungs as air couldn't get to him. He was going to die in the river, drowned, swallowed by eternal darkness"Help!" The hoarse shout ripped from his throat. "Help me! Please!" It died in a frantic whimper as water filled his lungs.Suddenly a hand touched his face. "It's all right, my lord. You are safe. Wake up," a voice soothed in a whisper close to his ear. Charles's body spasmed and sweat beaded on his forehead and drenched his clothes."Take a deep breath, my lord. It is only a dream. You must wake now."He drew in another breath and then let it out in a slow exhale. Air, not water, filled his lungs. The nightmare evaporated into the darkness.He was safe."Thank you," he said to whoever had been there. His body went limp as exhaustion claimed him again.He drifted in and out of sleep for a few hours
The League of Rogues Chapter 110
Two hours had passed by the time Charles had drunk himself beneath a card table."Looks like you need a hand, Lonsdale." James Fordyce, the Earl of Pembroke reached under the table and offered a hand to him. Charles gripped the hand and allowed himself to be hauled up on his feet. His vision cart-wheeled and he blinked rapidly, trying to get a steady fix on the man's face."Ready to go home, Lonsdale?" Pembroke asked."Suppose I ought to. Bloody hell, what a night."Pembroke slid one arm around Charles's waist, supporting him outside to hail a hackney to get him home. Linley emerged from the shadows of a nearby mew and joined Pembroke in supporting Charles by ducking under Charles's left arm."There you are, lad," Charles greeted the boy.Linley's disapproving scowl cut across him as the boy spoke to Pembroke. "How deep into his cups did he get tonight?"Charles's friend laughed. "Enough to swim to France, I imagine, but he'll be fine on the morrow.""You know, Pembroke, you're
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