All Chapters of The League of Rogues: Chapter 91 - Chapter 100

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 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 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

Anne woke early in the morning, the dawn's pale light only a drab gray presence behind the curtains. Although the bed was empty, she had the strangest notion that it hadn't been a short while ago. Blinking and delicately yawning, she stretched her limbs and got up.She then realized she was still in her own home, her bedchamber at Chessley Manor. She had never made it to Cedric's townhouse last night after the long celebration. What had happened? Surely the man hadn't wanted to be deprived of his wedding night? Anne vaguely recalled easing into Cedric's lap in the parlor and getting drowsy beneath his gentle touch. After that, her memory faded. Where was her husband now?Husband. It was such an odd word, and it had forced its way into her daily vocabulary now."Madam?" A young upstairs maid poked her head inside Anne's bedchamber."Come in, Nellie."The maid bore a tray of tea and scones that smelled delicious. Anne's stomach rumbled in agreement."His lordship thought you might

Sean Hartley, the footman, heard the crash from one floor below in the dining hall where he was polishing silver. The echo of shouting rumbled through the manor. It was not the kind of shouting he'd expected to hear on a honeymoon. This was all fury and rage. Sean got to his feet and headed for the dining hall doors. Viscount or not, no man would be hurting Lady Sheridan, not if Sean could help it. Raised by a single mother, he respected women and their defenselessness against the all too often violent temperaments of men. He would protect Lady Sheridan, even against his own master, consequences be damned."Hartley!" Lord Sheridan bellowed. "Get up here!"Sean dropped the spoon in his hand and ran for the stairs. He passed Lady Sheridan on his way up. She appeared distraught. He paused to follow her, but his master shouted again. With a growl he turned back and continued on his way.Lord Sheridan was in a fine fury. Pacing his room like a caged beast, he kept kicking the scattered a