บททั้งหมดของ The League of Rogues: บทที่ 111 - บทที่ 120

Godric cradled Emily in his arms, kissing her always delectable lips."What about dinner?" she managed to ask."To hell with dinner, I have what I want, darling." He pinned her against the settee in their drawing room, one hand coasting up her leg as he slid her skirts up to her waist. In the low candlelight she was lovely, so lovely.Her face flushed as she panted, and those violet eyes he adored sparkled. Emily was so beautiful it sometimes hurt to look at her. His chest ached and yet turned soft and warm around his heart."I love you, Godric," she breathed against his lips. Each time she said those words, it undid him. He groaned and slid his hand toward the apex of her thighs.An anxious rap of knuckles on the door made them both jerk up, glancing toward the entrance of the drawing room."My apologies." A footman stood there, unable to hide his blush. "This was just delivered. It's from Mr. St. Laurent. The boy who left it was told to say it was urgent."Godric pulled Emily'

"Well, that wasn't a complete disaster, was it?" Cedric chuckled as he climbed into his coach across from Anne.Anne grinned. "No, it wasn't. You did wonderfully." She held something in her arms, something Cedric could not see. It was a surprise for him, one she and Lady Pickering were quite excited about. They had managed to smuggle it all the way to the coach without Cedric suspecting anything."Why don't you come sit by me, lady wife?" he suggested with a brow raised in that rakish way of his.It took all her self-control not to giggle. It had been a long while since she'd given something to someone she cared about. Her heart beat faster as she finally spoke."All right." She joined him on his side of the enclosed coach and let him pull her against his side. When he leaned in closer, he froze, nostrils flaring. His eyes widened, then narrowed."I smell" He paused, sniffed, then his hands moved from her waist to her arms. When he encountered the bundle she cradled to her bosom,

Cedric leaned against a large wooden barrel bound by copper hoops. His nose picked up the fine acrid aroma of black powdersulfur, saltpeter and finely ground charcoal. A deadly combination when stuffed into a ship's cannon."Jonathan, I have an idea.""What?""This barrel is full of black powder." Cedric rapped his knuckles on the wood."Is this plan of yours going to get us killed?"Cedric hesitated before answering. "There's always a chance."Jonathan snorted. "Let us try to find the route off this ship that leaves us all breathing. Now, what's your plan?""There should be a light room close by. We prepare a charge, set it alight at the right moment and escape." Cedric knew the plan was risky, but escape was not enough. They had to destroy this ship. But first they needed to find Anne."Let us be clear, you want to set fire to the powder room?" Jonathan moved closer, his booted steps echoing on the floor. Above them the sailors were scrambling to their battle stations."Yes.

Cedric lounged back on the settee in his drawing room, arms folded behind his head as a white and brown puppy dragged one of his boots across the carpet. Little Forrest growled and snarled, his dagger-like puppy teeth making little scrapes in the leather. Cedric didn't care. Life was perfect, puppy teeth marks and all.It had been two weeks since he'd been rescued from the waters off Brighton, and his sight had fully returned. Headaches had pained him the first few days, but once the swelling from the blow to his head had subsided, so did the pain.The door to the study opened as Anne and Audrey flew in like a pair of doves. Anne looked ravishing in her rose-red gown trimmed with embroidered wildflowers on the van-dyked sleeves and hem. Her full hips accented her tiny waist, especially when she placed her hands on them now to glower."Cedric, you mustn't let him chew on your boots. You're spoiling him." She lunged for Forrest. The King Charles spaniel froze, as he always did when An

BOOK FOUR: Wicked RivalsLeague Rule Number 8:As a man's independence is inextricably tied to his wealth, it is vital that no woman should be allowed to meddle with it, no matter how fine her eyes might be.Excerpt from the Quizzing Glass Gazette, May 29, 1821, the Lady Society column:Lady Society is issuing a challenge to Lord Lennox. She can't help but think he is afraid of a certain lady who is in direct competition with him.Come now, Lord Lennox, what holds you in such fear and trepidation that you cannot be seen with her in public? At Lady Jacintha's ball you turned tail and fled when the cunning lady stepped out onto the dance floor.You cannot hide forever behind your fleet of ships, nor can you call upon your friends for support. The League of Rogues are fast succumbing to the charms of Eros and taking wives. Perhaps they know something you choose to remain ignorant of? For a man of such intellect and acumen, surely you cannot let that stand.I challenge you, my c