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Chapter 254
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The League of Rogues Chapter 255
Lily held her breath as she looked at her reflection in the mirror. She was in her guest bedchamber at the Essex house and was unable to deny she felt like a princess from one of the fairy tales she read to Katherine. The dark-rose gown she had put on was, in a word, stunning. It didn't try to hide her height, nor did it overly embellish her more gentle curves. Rather, it brought out the beauty of her willowy figure.The dress was designed with gold bands of embroidered patterns along the sleeves and the hem. The neckline was deep and square cut, and Lily blushed as she reached up to touch her collarbone.How long had it been since she'd played the lady? Too long. There were nights she'd escaped Charles's employment as Tom and had been able to venture to Vauxhall, even Gunter's for flavored ices, or to Bond Street for shopping. And then there had been those times Hugo had had need of her skills in a more feminine guise. But tonight she was to be out in society and would have a genuin
Last Updated : 2022-06-15The League of Rogues Chapter 256
Hugo sat in his private box, his wife, Melanie, beside him. But as the opera began his gaze was not on the stage. Rather, it was on the balcony across from them. Charles, his mother, and his sister were all in the Lonsdale box, but when Hugo recognized the fourth among them he smiled. His little spy was in place, playing her part as the lovely widow. Word was already spreading among the ton that Charles soon would propose. No one had ever seen him so besotted before. Perfect.He rose from his seat."Hugo? Where you going?" Melanie demanded in a harsh whisper."Apologies. I have business to attend to. I shall return shortly." He slipped out of his seat and into the corridor, waving down a serving boy."Yes, sir?" the boy asked."Do you have pen and paper?" Sometimes the boys came prepared with such items to help the opera patrons pass notes to one another."Yes, sir." The boy provided him with pen, paper, and a small polished board to write upon. Hugo scrawled a note to Lily, fold
Last Updated : 2022-06-15The League of Rogues Chapter 257
Charles couldn't look at Lily after he helped her out of the coach, so he turned his focus on their destination. They faced a lovely townhouse with dead ivy crawling up the walls. He rapped the knocker, and a tall, muscular middle-aged butler met them at the door."Lord Lonsdale to see Lord Darlington.""Is there a message to take to Lord Darlington?" the butler asked."Tell him, Cam."They were allowed inside and waited in the entryway while the butler went upstairs. Charles kept himself at attention, still trying not to look at Lily. A few minutes later, the butler returned."I'm to show you to the library. His lordship will be down as soon as he is dressed. He also told me to deliver these." He held a handful of letters, addressed to all of the League members."Yes, that's correct.""I'll have my quickest lads deliver them at once."Charles and Lily were shown into the library. Charles found himself torn between wanting to speak to her and wanting to be as far away as possib
Last Updated : 2022-06-15The League of Rogues Chapter 258
Lily fidgeted during the entire coach ride back to Godric's townhouse. She had learned to steel her nerves in the most dangerous of situations, and yet those same nerves fluttered wildly whenever Charles glanced her way.Did he truly mean to marry her? After what she had done? It was madness. He wouldn'twould he?When the coach stopped, he helped her down, his hands gripping her waist the same way he had when they'd gone to the opera. Like everything was normal. How she wished that were true. She fought off a shiver, longing to burrow into his warmth.Godric was waiting for them in the drawing room, as was Emily. When she saw Emily's face, she knew Godric had found some safe way of explaining the deception to her. Lily expected any number of furious reactions. Instead, Emily came up to her and embraced her tightly and whispered in her ear."You are far braver than I even knew. Godric and I shall protect you and Kat with our lives."Lily began to protest, but Emily placed a finger
Last Updated : 2022-06-15The League of Rogues Chapter 259
Charles slipped out of bed in the early morning. After donning his clothes, he crept to the nursery. Katherine was awake and being tended to by Emily's nurse.The nurse curtseyed. "Good morning, my lord."Kat ran toward him, and he caught her up in his arms. "Unca Charles!""I'll be your papa soon. Would you like that?"She studied him, then laid one tiny hand on his jaw and nodded. "Papa Charles?""That's right." He pressed a kiss to her forehead and held her close, his heart fit to burst as she curled her arms around his neck, hugging him back."I have to go downstairs now, but you stay here and play with your nurse, all right?"The nurse's eyes lit up as she smiled. "What a lucky child you are, Katherine, to have such a wonderful papa soon." She led Katherine back to her pile of toys by the fire as Charles took his leave.He paused in the doorway, watching his daughter-to-be. It didn't matter that she was Hugo's by birth; she would belong to Charles in every way that mattere
Last Updated : 2022-06-15The League of Rogues Chapter 260
Lily's hands trembled slightly as she entered a bookshop just off Bond Street. The dark-rose gown and yellow-gold cloak she wore made her feel out of place amid the shanty shelves and dusty tomes. Motes of dust danced and swirled in the beams of light cutting through the windows and illuminating the gilded spines of the books stacked thickly behind her.An old man sat behind the counter, sleeping, the soft repetitive sound of his snores a comfort in the thick silence of the musty little shop. In the last year she'd grown accustomed to meeting Hugo in clandestine, often dangerous places. To meet now in such a quaint little shop, just a street away from the where most of the ton were shopping for Christmas, was strange. But this was where his message had instructed her to meet.She leaned against the nearest shelf and looked out onto the street. Lily closed her eyes but a moment, replaying how Charles had looked just before she left Emily's house to come here. He had pulled her into an
Last Updated : 2022-06-15The League of Rogues Chapter 261
It was an absolutely perfect day to be married. The skies were clear, and the ground was covered with freshly fallen snow. It was a day that Charles never thought he would see. He stood at the front of the church, wearing his best blue waistcoat and finest trousers. Beside him, Graham stood quiet and alert. The bruises on his face had turned a sickly yellow as they started to heal. The rest of his friends had initially taken their places beside him. This was a momentous occasion for them all, and it didn't feel right for them not to stand with Charles. But before the ceremony had started, due to the general crowding and already anxious clergyman, they'd taken their places in the front pews with their wives. Beside them were his mother and sister.Charles scanned the crowd seated in St. George's, astonished at the number of guests who could arrive on such short notice. His mother caught his eye and smiled encouragingly. He answered her with a wink, and then his gaze drifted to the fron
Last Updated : 2022-06-15The League of Rogues Chapter 262
Lily was caught in a dream, like a glistening dewdrop suspended on the length of a shimmering strand of spiderweb at dawn. She felt the magic of this day infusing her with strength and hope. All around her the wedding guests talked and laughed, the sounds of their gaiety filling her heart with an intense warmth.And yet part of her felt like a fraud. She was not truly free to be herself. She was not Lily Wycliff, after all, but Lily Linley. She was not free to act as though she knew all their guests by name, even though she did. As Tom, she'd met most of them, but she was supposed to be a stranger in Charles's world. She couldn't forget to play the part.And then, of course, there was the specter of Hugo lurking in the back of her mind."You seem a bit dazed, my dear." Violet, Charles's mother, joined her in one of the few semi-secluded spots in the large dining room of Charles's townhouse."I think you're right," Lily confessed. She smoothed down her pale-blue skirts, even though
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
