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Chapter 108
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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
Last Updated : 2022-06-15The 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
Last Updated : 2022-06-15The League of Rogues Chapter 111
Godric cradled Emily in his arms, kissing her always delectable lips."What about dinner?" she managed to ask."To hell with dinner, I have what I want, darling." He pinned her against the settee in their drawing room, one hand coasting up her leg as he slid her skirts up to her waist. In the low candlelight she was lovely, so lovely.Her face flushed as she panted, and those violet eyes he adored sparkled. Emily was so beautiful it sometimes hurt to look at her. His chest ached and yet turned soft and warm around his heart."I love you, Godric," she breathed against his lips. Each time she said those words, it undid him. He groaned and slid his hand toward the apex of her thighs.An anxious rap of knuckles on the door made them both jerk up, glancing toward the entrance of the drawing room."My apologies." A footman stood there, unable to hide his blush. "This was just delivered. It's from Mr. St. Laurent. The boy who left it was told to say it was urgent."Godric pulled Emily'
Last Updated : 2022-06-15The League of Rogues Chapter 112
A black stallion rushed at Anne from the side as she crossed the road. The horse reared and Anne screamed, stumbling to the ground.The horse calmed and the rider, a handsome, olive-skinned man with dark hair and darker eyes slid from the saddle to help her to her feet."A thousand pardons. You crossed so quickly in front of me, I did not see you." His gaze ran the length of her body. "You're not injured, I trust?"Flustered and smarting from her fall, Anne hastily shook her head. "No, no, I'm fine. Thank you." She tried to tug free of his hold on her waist. "Please, sir, let me go."For a moment she feared that he had no such intention. But her fall had attracted the attention of a number of people who were also coming to check and see if she had been injured.His hands dropped. "Again, my apologies. It has been some time since I've been in the presence of a lovely woman. It has made my manners lax." The gleam in his eyes now made her uncomfortable."Excuse me." She darted aroun
Last Updated : 2022-06-15The League of Rogues Chapter 113
"Well, that wasn't a complete disaster, was it?" Cedric chuckled as he climbed into his coach across from Anne.Anne grinned. "No, it wasn't. You did wonderfully." She held something in her arms, something Cedric could not see. It was a surprise for him, one she and Lady Pickering were quite excited about. They had managed to smuggle it all the way to the coach without Cedric suspecting anything."Why don't you come sit by me, lady wife?" he suggested with a brow raised in that rakish way of his.It took all her self-control not to giggle. It had been a long while since she'd given something to someone she cared about. Her heart beat faster as she finally spoke."All right." She joined him on his side of the enclosed coach and let him pull her against his side. When he leaned in closer, he froze, nostrils flaring. His eyes widened, then narrowed."I smell" He paused, sniffed, then his hands moved from her waist to her arms. When he encountered the bundle she cradled to her bosom,
Last Updated : 2022-06-15The League of Rogues Chapter 114
Darkness. Damn the everlasting black.Cedric hung from a rafter in the belly of a ship. At least, that was his best guess. The ropes around his wrists chaffed him where they stretched straight above his head. Whoever had strung him up had given him enough slack to have a sure footing on the floor, which was a good thing because the ship kept pitching and rolling.The briny smell of seawater and aged wood filled his nose. He tried to think clearly. The last thing he remembered was being attacked in his own ballroom by Samir Al Zahrani, whose voice he would recognize anywhere. Then he'd been ganged up on by a number of his men. Then he'd lost consciousness.Where was Anne? He called out her name, his voice hoarse and his throat dry."Ah. Finally awake, Lord Sheridan?" Samir's cool voice taunted from somewhere in front of him.Cedric jerked on the ropes binding him. "Where is my wife?"Samir chuckled, the sound a little closer. "She is entertaining my men. Fair-skinned ladies fetch
Last Updated : 2022-06-15The League of Rogues Chapter 115
Cedric leaned against a large wooden barrel bound by copper hoops. His nose picked up the fine acrid aroma of black powdersulfur, saltpeter and finely ground charcoal. A deadly combination when stuffed into a ship's cannon."Jonathan, I have an idea.""What?""This barrel is full of black powder." Cedric rapped his knuckles on the wood."Is this plan of yours going to get us killed?"Cedric hesitated before answering. "There's always a chance."Jonathan snorted. "Let us try to find the route off this ship that leaves us all breathing. Now, what's your plan?""There should be a light room close by. We prepare a charge, set it alight at the right moment and escape." Cedric knew the plan was risky, but escape was not enough. They had to destroy this ship. But first they needed to find Anne."Let us be clear, you want to set fire to the powder room?" Jonathan moved closer, his booted steps echoing on the floor. Above them the sailors were scrambling to their battle stations."Yes.
Last Updated : 2022-06-15The League of Rogues Chapter 116
Painexcruciating darkness starsblueCedric's head throbbed as he fought to get away from whatever was dragging him deeper and deeper into the sea's vast depths. His strength was rapidly fading and his lungs would explode unless he could get to the surface. His shirt tore and the binding that had trapped him to the wreckage was gone. He fought as though nothing in his life had mattered until now.All he could see was Anne's face, and his desire to live. His desire to see her looking up at him with love and endless wonder. New strength flooded his limbs. The water stung his eyes, burned them like hot pokers, but he kept swimming toward that brightening point of light that he knew had to be the surface.When his head burst above the water, he sucked in a loud, agonizing breath. A shocking white glared into his eyes, and he blinked, raised one hand as he treaded water, and looked aboutlookedas gray shapes appeared in the fog."What in God's name?" Pieces of wood bumped into his shoulde
Last Updated : 2022-06-15
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The League of Rogues Chapter 311
The roads proved to be quite passable as sunlight melted much of the last evening's snowfall. Ella leaned against the side of the coach, watching sunlight glint off the snow like diamonds scattered on the surface of a white sheet. The rocking rhythm of the coach and the thudding sounds of the hooves lulled her into a numb state somewhere between wakefulness and slumber. She tried not to let her mind drift back to this morning, but it seemed determined to replay flashes of their lovemaking.The way Phillip's eyes lit up between slow kisses, how it felt to thread her fingers through his hair, the sighs he made as they embraced after coming apart. The way it felt to have his fingertips brush against her cheek. Even the way he spoke her name as she walked away. She would remember every little thing, the bursts of light and heat, and the cold sting of her breaking heart. Perhaps in time the memories would fade, but she doubted it. If only he was brave enough to come after her, to fight for
The League of Rogues Chapter 310
Ella awoke to the smell of porridge, eggs, and ham. She moved languidly, stretching her limbs, feeling sore between her thighs and a slight dampness in the sheets. Her face flushed as she sat up in bed. Phillip was seated by the fire, reading a novel. A tray of food sat on the table beside him, untouched."You should eat."He looked over his shoulder at her, his mouth quirking into a grin. "I was waiting for you. Come." He patted his lap, and the invitation was too much for her to resist. She slipped out of bed and joined him. He curled an arm around her waist as she eased down on his lap."How do you feel?" he asked, his eyes tender as he looked at her."A little sore," she admitted. "But wonderful too. I fear you've given me a taste for sin.""Have I now?" His delighted chuckle pleased her so much that her heart hurt. She loved his laugh, his smile, everything. She wanted only happiness for him because he had suffered so much."Yes, most definitely. Where did you learn such a u
The League of Rogues Chapter 309
Phillip woke before dawn, feeling more rested than he had in a long time. A beautiful woman lay beside him, and memories of how sweet the previous night had been made him want to burst into song like a lovestruck fool. He'd given her pleasure and she'd returned it, and it had been going so damned well until he'd fallen asleep. Yet his body didn't ache, and his leg didn't hurt as he was used to first thing in the morning. He moved slightly, expecting pain, but the usual stiffness in his thigh and lower calf and shin weren't there.He stared down at Ella's scantily clad body lying beside him. Had she truly rubbed his body last night, or had it been a sweet dream? He'd gotten so used to that, dreaming she was there to heal everything with her love and sweetness, that he didn't quite trust the reality.No, it hadn't been a dream. She had pleasured him with her mouth and almost brought him to his knees. Then she'd shown tenderness in helping him with his leg. God, the woman was exquisite
The League of Rogues Chapter 308
The night was full of magic. Ella couldn't stop smiling as she left the dancers and returned to the table with Bridget.Warwick poured them wine from a bottle a barmaid delivered to them. "Well done, ladies, well done."The wine was sweet on Ella's tongue and went straight to her head as she ate dinner. Phillip kept a hand on her waist, so deliciously scandalous, even though they were pretending to be married. She could have floated away without a care in the world."Well, it's getting late. I think we'll turn in," Phillip said at last. "It was a pleasure to meet you both."Bridget smiled. "As it was for us, my lord."Phillip collected his cane, and Ella slipped her arm in his as they headed for the stairs."You were stunning tonight," Phillip said as they climbed the steps together."Was I?" She couldn't resist preening a little. She rarely received compliments from men who weren't her brothers."You were most enchanting." Phillip leaned against the wall as he unlocked their d
The League of Rogues Chapter 307
Phillip was damned, but he couldn't stop what he was doing. She was so tender, so full of warmth and youthful excitement. Her kiss made him feel like the man he'd once been long ago. Like the man who'd danced with her in that ballroom ages ago, feeling her spin and twirl back into his arms. How she'd looked up at him when he'd kissed her beneath that starry night sky, and he'd thought in that moment they could have held the entire world between them.Now he was kissing her again, and it was different. She was not a young, teasing debutante. She was a woman now, one who'd learned disappointments and heartache and clung to happiness that much stronger whenever she found it. He wanted to make sure their time together now was everything she'd dreamed of.Her eager response to the touch of his lips or the flick of his tongue against hers brought back a flood of excitement. He'd thought he was incapable of feeling like this again, but he'd been blissfully wrong. A sweet melody echoed about
The League of Rogues Chapter 306
The following morning, Ella stepped out into the courtyard between the two gatehouses and blinked in surprise to find Phillip dressed and ready to leave. She'd thought perhaps after last night he wouldn't come. Yet there he was, eyes glinting with amusement at her astonishment.He looked dashing in buff trousers and an indigo waistcoat. A greatcoat hung around his shoulders, only adding to the handsome picture he presented. Beyond him a large traveling coach stood ready. Marcus and Cora were helping the driver secure several valises to the back of the coach. The morning sky was still a watery gray as the sun failed to penetrate the heavy snow clouds that had gathered above them.Phillip greeted her with a smile as she reached him. "Good morning."She smiled back, but a sudden bout of nerves made her tremble. Had she really asked him to tutor her in seduction last night? The reality of that moment was now a little daunting in the cold light of day."Come now, don't be shy," Phillip
The League of Rogues Chapter 305
Ella followed Mr. Boucher through the house as he escorted her to her chambers for the night. Most of the furniture was covered in cloth to protect from sunlight and dust. Many of the tall paned windows throughout the house were shuttered, effectively sealing off the rooms from light and life. This beautiful house had been emptied of people. Closed off, just like its master.They passed into one of the few more well-lit rooms, a long hall with paintings of fine-faced men and women. She glanced up at more than one of the portraits, seeing Phillip's eyes or chin, even his nose in several of the ancestors upon the walls."Mr. Boucher.""Yes, Lady Ella?""Is he in much pain?" She was perhaps indelicate to inquire about Phillip's injuries in such a way, but she needed answers.Boucher paused to look at her in the moonlight. Whatever he seemed to be looking for he must have found."Yes. In the beginning, he couldn't walk. He lay in bed for several weeks, only moving with the aid of oth
The League of Rogues Chapter 304
Phillip sat in the faded armchair in his study, staring into the crackling fire in the fireplace. His left leg ached, especially during the damp winter months. He rubbed his thigh, squeezing the muscles, and then farther down to his shin and calf. The muscles were still weak from the lack of use. But it hurt too much to walk, so he did so only when necessary.A sound from the hall below caught his attention. Voices. Who the devil could Boucher be talking to? They'd reduced the staff over the last year, mainly because he had shut up most of the house since he remained close to his bedchamber and never entertained. He sat up a little in his chair, listening to the sounds of a woman. The pair of maids he still employed were likely on the first floor of the house at the farthest end where the other bedchambers were or in the kitchens."Boucher?" he called out, but his voice was hoarse since he hadn't used it in what felt like days. He hadn't had occasion to see anyone or truly talk to an
The League of Rogues Chapter 303
One year later"If I have to listen to one more man explain to me that business and politics are not things to concern myself with," Ella growled over the rim of her teacup."It is most frustrating," her friend, Audrey St. Laurent, agreed. "I often say some men need a good whack to the heador between their legs, depending on the man."Ella snickered but then sighed as her mood deflated again."What's truly bothering you?" Audrey inquired.Ella glanced about Audrey's morning room, seeking a distraction from her mortification, but they were alone. A fire crackled in the hearth, and sunlight glinted off the snow outside. It was a perfectly lovely day, which made her black mood all the worse."At one and twenty, it seems I'm now to attract the worst sort of men. I was at Lady Hearst's ball last evening, and every single man I danced with lectured me about how fortunate I was to even be dancing at my age. To make it worse, the younger ladies have taken offense at my being there. More
