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Chapter 191
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The League of Rogues Chapter 192
James didn't feel like sitting, but when Audrey motioned for him to sit while she poured tea, he did the gentlemanly thing and eased into the nearest chair. He took a moment to study the lady before him. She looked bright-eyed and well, with no hint of the dark horrors she had faced the previous evening. She, like Gillian, was like no other woman he'd ever met. He was used to encountering preening, silly creatures who focused only a man's title and wealth. These two petite Amazons with their warrior spirits surprised himand fascinated him."How are you after last night? I'm afraid that due to the chaos we could not avoid getting separated. I trust Mr. St. Laurent escorted you safely home?""Oh yes, we were fine." She held out a cup of tea and he accepted it, taking a sip only after she sipped from her own cup. The orange pekoe was one he did not drink often, but he rather liked the subtle hints of spices upon his tongue. Audrey had excellent taste in tea."And Miss Beaumont? Did she
Last Updated : 2022-06-15The League of Rogues Chapter 193
Gillian stepped down from the coach behind Audrey and faced the vast entrance of Rochester Hall. "I think this is a terrible idea.""Nonsense. I had to watch you mope about for an entire week, and now you owe me." Audrey's smile was far too sweet, and Gillian's stomach fluttered with nerves. Her mistress was up to something again.Gillian let the hood of her cloak fall back, even though a cold breeze played with her skirts and tugged at her hair."But to act like a lady when I am not one""Hush. You are a lady gently born. Your circumstances after that do not make you any less a lady."Gillian frowned. She was certain her mistress had taken leave of her senses. When Audrey told her two days before that she might need Gillian to play a larger role in her future endeavors, she had worried about what that might entail. When she was told she was to act as a lady at Audrey's sister's house party, Gillian had prayed she'd been joking. But as usual, with Audrey, she hadn't been."Horati
Last Updated : 2022-06-15The League of Rogues Chapter 194
Gillian laughed as her horse galloped ahead of James's along a field of wildflowers and wheat-colored grass. A late summer had lingered this year, leaving the field glowing with color and life. The thunder of hooves behind her made her glance over her shoulder. James was grinning astride a black gelding. Their eyes met, and he smacked his riding crop on his horse's flank. The beast took the command quite seriously, and James was suddenly racing alongside her."First one to the road wins!" he shouted.Gillian leaned low over her own horse, gripping the reins tight, listening to the mare's steady but labored breaths."Come on, you can beat him," she whispered in the horse's ear. Then she gave her mare a kick, and the horse picked up its pace. Just enough to pull ahead.The end of the road came all too soon. She laughed as she reined the horse in till it was huffing and dancing in place.James steered his horse close to hers, their knees touching in a light bump. "You won." She'd had
Last Updated : 2022-06-15The League of Rogues Chapter 195
Dinner was a dreadfully dull affair from James's perspective. He had to spend the entire evening next to a young woman of his acquaintance, Miss Venetia Sharpe. She was a nice enough girl, but her naked ambitions always sent him running. He had no desire to marry a woman who would push him into a political career because it would further elevate her own status. He sought out Gillian farther down the table, and their gazes briefly locked. He smiled at her as he remembered how they'd made love in the meadow. A blush reddened her cheeks, and she returned his smile, although she soon ducked her head and turned to speak with her companion."My lord?" Venetia leaned closer, her perfumed scent distracting. It wasn't unpleasant, by any means, but it wasn't Gillian's sweet scent of rosewater and something feminine and natural."Er Yes." He reached for his wine goblet for what felt like the hundredth time that evening. Already his senses were beginning to become unsteady. He would be lucky t
Last Updated : 2022-06-15The League of Rogues Chapter 196
Gillian touched her lips, lost in the sudden rush of emotions she felt in James's kiss. Then a cry from the room behind her had her rushing back inside. Horatia was crouched beside the bed, and groaning in just a nightgown.Lucien gripped one of her hands, his other arm at her lower back. She panted and puffed out several quick breaths and then relaxed. Audrey hovered nearby, her hands wringing fretfully."Does it hurt much?" Audrey asked her older sister."Ah!" Horatia clenched down on Lucien's hand.He winced. "God's teeth! Where does a woman find such strength?" "I think it's safe to say it hurts a great deal," Charles said to Audrey. "Why don't you see if we can't get some chips of ice or cold cloths soaked in water?""Right." Audrey turned to Gillian. "Did you hear that?""Yes, my lady, I can fetch them," Gillian reassured her."Thank you." Audrey hugged her and then turned back to her sister."I think I need to lie downcatch my breath," Horatia gasped. Lucien helped her
Last Updated : 2022-06-15The League of Rogues Chapter 197
James and a footman rushed up the stairs, a heated knife, water, and towels in their arms. Horatia's next scream rent the air, and James nearly stumbled but caught himself as he reached the top stair. When he reached Lucien's room, he almost rushed in, thought better of himself, and knocked. Audrey opened the door, her face white as she grabbed the items from the footman. When she saw the knife, she just jerked her head for James to enter."I don't think I should""My sister does not care," Audrey cut in. James followed her inside, eyes downcast until he spotted Gillian at Horatia's feet.Bloody hellCharles rushed over to James and grabbed the knife. "Be ready to catch the babe, Gillian."James pressed himself against the wall, feeling useless and in the way, but he couldn't make himself leave. He was fixed on Gillian as she reached beneath the tent of Horatia's nightgown-clad legs and suddenly pulled out a small blueish-skinned baby. It was sticky and a little bloody and unmovin
Last Updated : 2022-06-15The League of Rogues Chapter 198
Letty Fordyce waited nervously in the entryway to the Earl of Morrey's townhouse. A letter was inside her reticule, a letter full of salacious gossip, but Letty needed answers, and this was perhaps the one place she could get it.The butler appeared. "My apologies for the wait. His lordship will see you now."Letty followed the servant to a room on the second floor. She entered the drawing room and was struck by the general attractiveness of the furnishings. The Earl of Morrey had fine taste. A figure rose from a chair as she came deeper into the room. The man was tall with dark hair and striking gray eyes that made her knees oddly weak as he smiled at her. His face was attractive too, quite so, but it was his eyes that held her attention. They so reminded her of someone, but she couldn't quite place who it was."Lady Letticia?" His voice was low and gentle, and the cadence of his speech held a hint of familiarity and intimacy that made her shiver. He spoke like a lovernot that she
Last Updated : 2022-06-15The League of Rogues Chapter 199
James knelt at his mother's side, clutching her hand. Her breath was shallow and her eyes glassy, but she turned her head his way when he came into the room."My boy." The words escaped her lips in a faint whisper."I'm here, Mother, I'm here." He brushed his knuckles over her cheek, feeling the fever that met his fingertips. His body and soul filled with a bone-deep dread. "Where's your father?" his mother asked. "I want to see him."James's heart bled. His mother still couldn't remember, couldn't move past that period of her life when his father had still been alive."He'she's out hunting, Mother. I'm sure he'll be back shortly." For the hundredth time he wished that his father really was out hunting, that he had never died. Another sob escaped Letty as she got down on her knees on her mother's other side and buried her face in the bedding."Letty," their mother murmured, stroking her hand over Letty's dark hair. "I think your father is late" Lady Pembroke sounded amused, desp
Last Updated : 2022-06-15
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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
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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
