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Chapter 113
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The 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
The 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.
The 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
The League of Rogues Chapter 117
Cedric lounged back on the settee in his drawing room, arms folded behind his head as a white and brown puppy dragged one of his boots across the carpet. Little Forrest growled and snarled, his dagger-like puppy teeth making little scrapes in the leather. Cedric didn't care. Life was perfect, puppy teeth marks and all.It had been two weeks since he'd been rescued from the waters off Brighton, and his sight had fully returned. Headaches had pained him the first few days, but once the swelling from the blow to his head had subsided, so did the pain.The door to the study opened as Anne and Audrey flew in like a pair of doves. Anne looked ravishing in her rose-red gown trimmed with embroidered wildflowers on the van-dyked sleeves and hem. Her full hips accented her tiny waist, especially when she placed her hands on them now to glower."Cedric, you mustn't let him chew on your boots. You're spoiling him." She lunged for Forrest. The King Charles spaniel froze, as he always did when An
The League of Rogues Chapter 118: Epilogue
Daniel Sheffield rapped his knuckles on the door to Hugo Waverly's study."Enter."Daniel nudged the door open and sauntered in. This was not going to be good news he delivered, and he hoped playing calm would help to lessen his master's rage.They'd had a perfect plan. It shouldn't have gone awry. Once their man in Brighton had sent word Al Zahrani's ship had docked and he was making his move, Waverly had informed the Royal Navy and dispatched the HMS Ranger with orders to sink the ship to send a message to slave traders operating in English waters. No prisoners were to be taken under any circumstances.What Daniel hadn't expected, and neither had Waverly, was Lord Lennox's timely interference."Well? Is it done?" Waverly looked up from his desk covered in papers, most of them bearing royal seals."No. The HMS Ranger was intercepted by Lord Lennox's ship, which informed them of British subjects being held captive on the ship.""Lennox?" Hugo crumpled the sheet of paper under hi
The League of Rogues Chapter 119
BOOK FOUR: Wicked RivalsLeague Rule Number 8:As a man's independence is inextricably tied to his wealth, it is vital that no woman should be allowed to meddle with it, no matter how fine her eyes might be.Excerpt from the Quizzing Glass Gazette, May 29, 1821, the Lady Society column:Lady Society is issuing a challenge to Lord Lennox. She can't help but think he is afraid of a certain lady who is in direct competition with him.Come now, Lord Lennox, what holds you in such fear and trepidation that you cannot be seen with her in public? At Lady Jacintha's ball you turned tail and fled when the cunning lady stepped out onto the dance floor.You cannot hide forever behind your fleet of ships, nor can you call upon your friends for support. The League of Rogues are fast succumbing to the charms of Eros and taking wives. Perhaps they know something you choose to remain ignorant of? For a man of such intellect and acumen, surely you cannot let that stand.I challenge you, my c
The League of Rogues Chapter 120
Hands sliding up her outer thighs, raising her gown, warm breaths soft against her cheek, bright blue eyes aflame with wicked desires and the fall of pale-blond hair"Lady Melbourne?"Rosalind Melbourne came back to herself. She was sitting in a cozy armchair in a sunny parlor with blue walls. Three sets of feminine eyes were focused on her, all a little concerned. A moment ago, she'd been listening to her hostesses talk about the latest scandals and political intrigues when the conversation had turned to marriages and the men in their lives. It was only natural for her thoughts to turn to Ashton when his friends had been mentioned. And that had led to memories from the last time she'd seen himat the operawhen they'd both lost control.I should never have allowed that man to kiss me, nor should I have touched him. It was a mistake.She reached for the cup of tea nearest her on the table. "I'm sorry. I was woolgathering.""It's quite all right," Lady Sheridan said, smiling again. "
The League of Rogues Chapter 121
Half an hour later the coach bearing the Essex coat of arms rattled to a stop outside Drummond's Bank. It was the bank where Rosalind kept the majority of her lines of credit.Rosalind and Emily climbed out of the coach and proceeded toward the bank, ignoring the stares of men and women on the street. It had amazed Rosalind to learn on the ride over that Emily was a skilled businesswoman herself. She'd handled her uncle's accounts, then taken over her husband's once she married. Through the course of the conversation, Emily had told her a fantastical tale of abduction, intrigue and eventually love, which had resulted in her marriage to the Duke of Essex. The local papers had certainly not given any of those details.As they reached the door to the bank, Rosalind drew them up short. "Are you positive you wish to go in with me? There will be talkmore than talkif you do."With a chuckle, Emily replied, "It's been quite some time since I've been considered scandalous, so it's time to di
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