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Chapter 88
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The League of Rogues Chapter 89
London, March 1820Cigar smoke hung in hazy clouds near the ceiling of Berkeley's dimly lit card room. The majority of the men lounging in chairs about the card tables were in their mid to late thirties. The young sensible bucks of marrying age were enslaved at the dances of Almack's that evening. Only the most dangerous of men were left free to prowl tonight and seek their pleasures without worry of crossing the paths of society mamas and their marriage-minded daughters. Cedric, Ashton, and their friend James Fordyce, the Earl of Pembroke, chose a table near the main fireplace to play a few games of whist before heading to a pleasure haunt in a few hours.Ashton spread the deck of cards out and shuffled them while Cedric and James flagged down a club servant to bring three glasses of port."Thank God Letty did not expect me to accompany her to Almack's," James confessed to Cedric. James blew out a sigh of relief. Cedric chuckled at the relieved expression in the earl's eyes."Not
The League of Rogues Chapter 90
Anne focused on Cedric's face, secretly enjoying the wealth of emotions that flitted across his features as he told her the story. "You don't think the Arab will return for you, do you?"Cedric smiled. "He left London shortly after he delivered the mares to me. He simply had to make a show of pride before he left, and I had to respond in kind. It is the way of things when the stakes are so high."He showed more animation than she'd seen from him since he'd gone blind. For a brief few minutes he'd been the old Cedric again, the one whoAnne shook her head, dispelling thoughts of the past, thoughts that stung too deeply."You men and your pride. Is there nothing else that matters to you?"Cedric's deep laugh poured over her. "Oh, my dear, you bait me with your innocence by asking that.""What do you mean?"Cedric cupped her chin and tilted his head down in reply, finding her lips with ease. Anne stiffened as his tongue traced the seam of her lips. Her hands fisted against his ches
The League of Rogues Chapter 91
The White House in Soho Square was filled with the sounds of the rich and elegant seeking their pleasure. It was a night for devilry and revelry. The young bucks who'd been trapped at balls, parties and sandwiched in the crowds at Almack's since the beginning of the season in January were finally able to escape to less reputable locations and enjoy themselves freely in ways they could not with the eligible ladies under the watchful eyes of their mothers.Even a few ladies who'd borne their husbands the required heirs were taking the night to slip away from their cold marriage beds, along with some adventurous widows scattered throughout the expensively furnished rooms of the most famous pleasure haunt in London.Samir Al Zahrani exited the Skeleton Room, one of the more macabre themed areas within the establishment, his soul blackened with greed. The English provided him a perfect market to carry on his trade, both legal and otherwise, with discretion and near anonymity.Even his fa
The League of Rogues Chapter 92
Cedric fingered the stack of cards Ashton had abandoned on the table. "You know, Ash, you are not my favorite friend at the moment."Ashton chuckled. "You wound me, Cedric."Cedric huffed and listened to the sounds of feminine chatter. Emily and Horatia were with Anne, all three ladies whispering by the small fire in the hearth. He could hear the logs pop and snap. While the spring was relatively warm, today had been cooler than most."What has Ash done to deserve your displeasure?" Jonathan asked, the newest to their League. His blond hair and green eyes, not to mention the familial resemblance to his older brother Godric, made him nothing short of a young Adonis. He was more reserved when out among the ton at social gatherings than the other members of the League. Having lived most of his life as a servant, he was still unsure of himself when it came to the upper class and trying to act as one of their equals. He hadn't been aware that he was Godric's half brother until last Septe
The League of Rogues Chapter 93
The following evening Anne took Cedric's offered arm and allowed him to escort her through the throng of people gathered in the foyer of Covent Garden's Royal Opera House. The strong scents of unwashed bodies and groups of low-necklined Cyprian ladies clinging to the men were an unwelcome sight, but Covent Garden was a blend of middle and upper classes that couldn't be avoided."God's teeth," Cedric muttered as a buxom woman fell against him, laughing raucously. He shoved her to the side with his lion's head cane."You are lucky, my lord, that you cannot see. The sight is most unpleasant," Anne confided to her escort. Cedric responded with a grunt of agreement and let her lead him in the direction of the stairs that would take them to his box.A tall, fair-haired man blocked their path to the stairs. She froze like a rabbit caught in a snare. She'd never forget that man, or his pale eyes. The very sight of him chilled her blood.Crispin Andrews.He was the last man on earth she wa
The League of Rogues Chapter 94
The audience broke into applause and the emerald curtains dropped down, covering the stage from view."That was wonderful," Anne admitted."I found the story to be most captivating," Cedric replied."Do you know it?" She hadn't thought he'd studied operas, only attended them."I had Ashton read me the summary so I might have something to picture in my mind. Is Matilde as beautiful to Corradino as she sounds?" Cedric asked, his lips lifting into the ghost of a smile."Yes. She is very beautiful. I believe Corradino's reaction to her is what is so enchanting. He sees only her, wants only her. It would be something, to be desired like that." Anne ended with a sigh and looked toward the stage bereft of the lively actors.Cedric lifted her hand and brushed his lips on her open palm, making her shiver. She turned back to him, entranced by the sight of his mouth exploring her hand. He licked the center of her palm, and the spike of his tongue sparked the place between her thighs to life
The League of Rogues Chapter 95
The small white card propped against the vanity mirror spelled out Anne's fate in delicate script.You are cordially invited to Chessley Manorfor a wedding breakfast to celebrate the marriage ofLady Anne Isabelle Chessley toLord Cedric Alexander Sheridan."Am I truly doing this?" she asked aloud.Emily stood behind Anne, her beautiful figure highlighted in a pale blue silk bridesmaid's gown. "Anne, you are in a wedding dress waiting for a carriage to take you to St. George's. Either this is some elaborate prank you've dreamed up to shock all of London, or you are doing this."Anne fidgeted, her hands running over her silver silk gown trimmed with Honiton lace on the bodice, sleeves and hem. The door to Anne's bedchamber opened and Horatia peeked inside. Both she and Emily were wearing lovely matching gowns with small tulle veils."Emily, our carriage is here. Cedric and the men have departed for the church. It is our turn." Horatia flashed a radiant smile in Anne's direction
The League of Rogues Chapter 96
Charles muttered to himself as he examined two suspicious grooves in the frosting on his slice of wedding cake. "I say, I believe someone had a taste of this before I did.""Just eat it," Cedric said gruffly as he used a spoon on his own slice. Dear, sweet Anne had brought him a spoon, remembering his aversion to sharper utensils."Righto, old boy." Charles dug into the rich cake and had a bite before speaking again. "I didn't believe you actually meant to go through with this, you know. But somewhere between the ring exchange and the vows it occurred to me that you genuinely care for your wife.""Of course I care for her.""I mean you truly care. I think you may be in danger of falling in love with her." Falling in love was uttered with all of the excitement of a doctor discovering an outbreak of plague.Cedric found Charles's shoulder and jostled it in a brotherly fashion. "Well don't become joyous on my account."All around them the Chessley morning room was filled with guests
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