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Chapter 282
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The League of Rogues Chapter 283
Joanna stretched languidly in bed, forgetting for a brief moment where she was and how she'd come to be there. She opened her eyes at the sound of a rumbling male voice nearby and bolted upright, staring about the sparsely furnished bedroom in the little hunting lodge. The events of the night before came back to her. Someone knocked on her door."Time to wake up, Joanna," Rafe called. "Kincade is seeing to your horses. You have time to eat some breakfast, and then you must leave.""I'm awake," she called and climbed out of bed. For the first time in two days her body wasn't stiff, and for that she was grateful, yet she felt a twinge of disappointment in not being able to sleep out-of-doors with more ease.Perhaps I am too soft. What if Brock married her and later decided he wanted a stronger, more hardy Scottish lady, someone who could sleep with him outside beneath the stars without complaint?No, don't think like that. He chose you; he wants you.She cleaned her teeth, washed he
The League of Rogues Chapter 284
"Do you wish to bathe, Brock?" she asked. "The water is still warm." She had taken care to wash quickly so he could have warm water if he wanted it. She already dreaded getting out, knowing her damp skin would turn cold. She'd soon be able to put on a dressing gown and perhaps feel the heat of her husband's body when he held her against him.Brock's eyes locked on hers as he picked up her dressing gown and came over. Her senses came alive as she realized she was about to stand up from the bathtub completely naked before him."Eryes. Thank you," he replied. He held the gown for her and then turned his head. She climbed out of the tub and slipped into the gown, then moved around him carefully, toward the heat of the fire and away from the very different heat between them. As she started to comb through her hair, she listened for his every movement, keeping her face turned away out of respect for the privacy he'd shown her. But oh how she longed to have a peek.He splashed around a bit
The League of Rogues Chapter 285
Brock held his new wife in his arms, a quiet peace filling him. They had managed to enjoy a peaceful night's sleep at the inn as man and wife. Late morning sun boldly illuminated the room. Brock knew he should have gotten up and roused Joanna from her slumber, but they'd traveled so hard the last few days that she deserved to rest. And he couldn't resist enjoying her like this.She was nestled against him, his arms around her, pulling her tighter to him. Having been inside her, sharing himself with her and she with him, the idea of putting any distance between them now was unfathomable. Merely holding her while his lips occasionally dropped kisses onto the damp curls of her head, filled him with a peace he'd never before experienced and never imagined he would feel.The scars left behind from his father's violence were still there, marring him inside and out. He still feared, deep down, that he would end up like his father, that he also held that cruelty within him. He feared what wo
The League of Rogues Chapter 286
Joanna was so angry and upset that she was shaking. This was her wedding day! She should have been enraptured, wrapped in her husband's arms, relishing the intimacy of their bed, the feel of the fire from the fireplace and the wine sweetening Brock's lips as they kissed. She was not supposed to be dealing with her bloody stubborn brother and his nonsensical ideas about what was best for her.When she heard the knock, she thought it was Brock and hastily opened the door. Ashton stood there, one hand flat on the doorjamb. She was half tempted to slam the door on his fingers. They shared a long look, a flurry of emotions passing between them.This should have been a happy reunion, Ashton hugging her tight and accepting her kiss on his cheek while she told him how happy she was. But that was never going to be the case. Instead, there was anger, sorrow, and distrust between them, clouding over the sunny memories of their youth together. She'd often heard that siblings could grow apart ove
The League of Rogues Chapter 287
Joanna and Brock rode in silence for a long while before she spoke."What is Castle Kincade like?"Brock grinned, his mood beginning to brighten. "It sits upon a hill, not a big one, mind, but below it is a loch, with waters as blue as the summer sky. My mother had some gardens built, but they've fallen into disrepair in the years since she died. I have no talent for them, but perhaps you could set them straight.""I would like that very much," Joanna agreed. The prospect of restoring the gardens his mother had once created seemed like a lovely idea. She was also relieved that she would have something to occupy her there. Joanna had never been the sort of woman to sit idly by when she could take charge of something."What was she like? Your mother, I mean."Brock stiffened slightly, and for a long moment Joanna wondered if he would even answer."My mother was tenderhearted. There wasn't an injured animal or wounded person that she didn't try to heal or help. There was a light in
The League of Rogues Chapter 288
Brock held his breath as he led Joanna into his bedchamber. It was not the official room of the laird of Castle Kinkade. That had been his father's chamber, and Brock would never sleep in that room. It was as though his father's presence still lingered there. But this chamber, the one that had two large windows facing the lake, was his favorite. It had high vaulted ceilings and a large four-poster bed with dark-blue bed hangings. Two overstuffed armchairs faced the fireplace. Joanna moved straight to them, touching the warm fabric with a smile."It's very inviting," she said, glancing over her shoulder at him. Lord, he was having trouble keeping his hands off her, but he needed to. He needed to give her time to heal from the first time they were together."I'm glad you like it. If you ever wish to, you may sleep in the other room, although I hope you will stay here with me each night. Would you care to go riding before dinner?" he offered. If they were riding and touring the countrys
The League of Rogues Chapter 289
Joanna returned to Brock's study before dinner and found Mr. Tate thankfully absent. She'd sensed he was not at all pleased that she was here. Perhaps he didn't like that she was English, or maybe he feared that she was going to reduce some of his responsibilities in the castle. Many men would have jumped at the option to be paid the same for less work, but perhaps it was a matter of pride. Or maybe he saw his duties going to a woman as an insult. She would endeavor to do her best to put him at ease and let him know he was not going to be replaced.I want to help, that is all, and a good lady knows how to run a large household.Her mother had trained her to run a household, and her brother had taught her how to run a business, how to analyze investments, and other important financial matters. Brock's sister, Rosalind, had become a banker, which was rare, though not unheard of. Joanna rather hoped she might do the same once she and Brock had settled into married life.She examined th
The League of Rogues Chapter 290
Joanna felt the weight of the engagement ring on her finger, but it was not unwelcome. Rather, it was comforting to feel the press of the gold circlet beside her wedding band. She could not believe he had given her a ring that had belonged to his mother. Joy bubbled up inside her as she considered what it meant. He could try to stay distant, but she saw the heat and the longing in his eyes. It wasn't simply physical for himat least, she sensed it wasn't. She had to have faith that she could win his heart, help him realize that he wasn't like his father.We will have a happy marriage, a happy life. I refuse to believe anything else.They entered the dining room, and she gasped. It was stunning. Red satin wallpaper covered the top of the room, and the bottom half was dark with oak paneling. Portraits of noblemen in kilts and women in tartan dresses were interspersed between mounted deer heads and elk antlers. It looked in equal parts a hunting lodge and an elegant dining room, the type
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