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Chapter 142
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The League of Rogues Chapter 143
The weight of three feminine stares made Ashton's stomach clench. His mother and sister knew nothing of what had transpired all those years ago. Aside from academics, they knew he'd formed deep bonds with his friends and that was all. And he hadn't planned on telling Rosalind more unless he had to. She pulled away from his hold to stare up at him, those gray eyes soft as dove feathers.When he'd first gone to Cambridge, he'd had no friends. His father's death and his subsequent debts had destroyed their societal connections. A year later he'd made true friends, whom he had brought home to meet his family. But he had never shared how he had met the rest of the League."Ashton, I never knew that," his mother said, eyes as wide as saucers from the Lennox family china."It is a bad memory. I never wished to share that burden with anyone else.""I'm so sorry," Rosalind whispered again.He rested his forehead against Rosalind's and stroked her back. She could be furious with him as much
The League of Rogues Chapter 144
Tom Linley lingered in the shadows of the servants' stairs, his heart hammering wildly. A footman came down the steps and froze at the sight of him."You will know my servants by the silver star pin on their neckcloths."His master's instructions were not something he would forget anytime soon. He stared hard at the footman and saw a silver star glinting near his throat."Lovely afternoon for a stroll," he said.The footman looked to Tom. "Indeed, but rain can always come from cloudless skies.""And a black sky sometimes doesn't rain at all," Linley agreed."Why don't you give me a hand with polishing the silver?" The footman gestured to the silver cabinet, holding a set of keys.Linley followed the man and waited for him to open the cabinet door. The footman glanced about, searching the hall for other servants, then leaned close to Linley."I've sent word about the wedding between Lennox and Lady Melbourne.""Good. I've not yet had a chance to." Linley slipped a piece of pape
The League of Rogues Chapter 145
Claire fussed over Rosalind's hair before dinner and laid out a dark purple silk gown with a plunging neckline that would no doubt draw Ashton's attention. Rosalind tugged the bodice up and raised a brow at Claire."You did tell me to pack lightly, Your Ladyship.""I did, but I did not mean to pack the gowns with the least amount of cloth to them. It will attract the eyes of every man in the room."Her maid chuckled. "There's nothing wrong with displaying a lady's bosom in a fine gown.""I quite agree." Ashton's voice made Rosalind and Claire both jump.He stood in the doorway, those blue eyes more alive than she'd ever seen them before. Rosalind looked away, still embarrassed by how much of herself she'd revealed this afternoon in the bath. He'd used intimacy to break down her walls and make her share the darker parts of her heart. She feltperhaps not betrayed, but exposed at the very least."Claire, would you mind giving us a minute?" Her maid bowed, backing away as Ashton walk
The League of Rogues Chapter 146
Ashton glared at Charles over his glass of wine. His friend cocked a brow in silent question, which Ashton only answered with a dark scowl.Regina cleared her throat, attempting to dispel the growing tension in the dining room. "The tenant farmhouses start construction in a few days, I hear."Ashton set his wine down. "Yes, Higgins and Maple will be relieved. I've employed nearly every able-bodied man in the local villages to aid in the construction."Joanna was in animated discussion with Jonathan. Rosalind was picking at her food while Rafe stared into the distance, quiet and a bit pale. Ashton worried that the bullet wound might be giving Rafe trouble. That was something he'd have to see to later tonight, after he'd boxed Charles's ears for being so free with his opinions."Well, that's wonderful news indeed," Regina said.Rafe suddenly shoved his chair back from the table and stood."Rafe?" their mother asked."I'm sorry, Mother. I don't feel well and will retire for the eve
The League of Rogues Chapter 147
Something was definitely not right.Rosalind stood in the center of Ashton's empty bedchamber. It surprised her that she was bothered by his absence. She should have enjoyed the quiet, and yet she longed for his intense gaze and the way he made her feel as if she were the only person in the world.That was one thing she hadn't realized she would enjoy, being the sole focus of a man's attention. Perhaps it was because he was genuinely interested in her and had no wish to hurt or use herhe just wanted her. With Ashton, the world seemed to halt and it was just the two of them, even when they were quarreling.After his departure in the middle of dinner, she'd assumed he'd gone to see to his brother but would likely return. Then Charles had made his apologies, as had Lady Lennox shortly after dinner was over. Given their worried looks before they'd left, Rosalind had sensed something was wrong but wasn't in a position to pry. She'd refused to change out of her clothes and sent Claire to
The League of Rogues Chapter 148
Brock Kincade stood at the edge of the cemetery, staring out at the freshly upturned dirt of his father's grave. Moonlight washed the cemetery in pale cream and opalescent white. The carved headstones formed shadows almost as black as the night itself. But Brock was no longer afraid. The creature that had frightened him since he was a child was gone. Forever.His horse gave an impatient huff and stamped his hooves, no doubt anxious to be back in the stables with a blanket on his back and fresh oats in his bucket."All right, you lazy beast," Brock muttered and stroked a palm over the animal's neck as he mounted up.He departed the quiet churchyard and trotted back up the winding hill to Castle Kincade, the shallow moat filled with rainwater and the ancient wooden bridge lowered to allow passage into the keep.It had been more than a hundred years since the castle had demanded defense, but like an old wolf, it was crouched and ready to do so at a moment's notice. Soon it would be a
The League of Rogues Chapter 149
Rosalind barely slept that night alone in Ashton's bed. She missed the man, his warmth, his laugh, his touch. The scent of him clung to the sheets like a ghost lover. An empty bed had never bothered her before, but it did now because she knew what she was longing for. Her sweet and seductive baron.As dawn peeped in through the windows, Rosalind crawled out of bed and pulled the cord for Claire. It was going to be a long day if she continued to feel this way. She jumped when the door opened, far too soon for it to have been Claire.Ashton stood there, looking as bad as she felt."Rosalind?" He blinked, keeping his distance by remaining in the doorway. He was pale, his blue eyes heavy with shadows. "What are you doing here?""You said I was to stay in your chambers" Had she done something wrong?He walked a step farther into the room, dragging a hand through his hair. "I thought perhaps you'd take advantage and leave while I was seeing to Rafe."She bristled. "I made a promise to
The League of Rogues Chapter 150
Sweat coated Ashton's brow, and his fevered murmurs broke Rosalind's heart. She held her breath each time Ashton's chest rose and fell, fearing it would be his last.The illness had claimed another three lives in the village since Ashton and Rafe had fallen ill three days ago. Terror had swept through Lennox House, but Rosalind had refused to leave Ashton's side. Her heart lodged in her throat whenever he lay too still in his sheets.He had tossed about restlessly for the last hour before sinking into another frightening silence. His breathing had become shallow and his skin clammy to the touch. Every muscle in Rosalind's body tensed as she studied him, searching for any sign that he was slipping away from her.You won't leave me, Lennox. Not like this. I demand a fair fight with you, you coward. I want She prayed he could hear her thoughts. She was too afraid to utter them aloud. I want to marry you."How is he?" Regina stood by the doorway, her eyes red.The two of them had beco
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