บททั้งหมดของ The League of Rogues: บทที่ 131 - บทที่ 140

Poor creature.Ashton paused in the doorway between his bedchamber and the dressing room, a full jug of water in his hand. From where he stood, he could see Rosalind fast asleep in the chair by the fire.After tonight's events, she was worn out. It was a miracle she'd held out as long as she had. He set the jug of water down on the dresser and walked over to her chair. She did not stir as he cradled her in his arms and carried her to his bed. He set her down long enough to pull back the covers on one side, then picked her up again and placed her under them.When he tried to tuck her hands under to keep them warm, she grasped his fingers and wouldn't let go. The connection sent soft warmth through his chest. He didn't want to let go of her hand. He pulled off his boots, then scooted her over in the bed so he could lie down beside her, still holding her hand in his. He lay there, watching the firelight play across her face and the shadows under her eyes.He had learned much about his

Lord, I can't let him kiss me again. I seem to lose all good sense when I do.Rosalind stepped back from Ashton and attempted to start a conversation."It is kind of you to let the tenants stay here." She hadn't told him that before, but she'd wanted to.He stared at her intently. "I'm not a brute, Rosalind." She had the impression he was attempting to convey something about how he intended to deal with her."Are you a mind reader as well?" She kept her tone light, doing her best to tease him back. Outside of her brothers, teasing remarks had always gotten her ears soundly boxed.His lips twitched again. "A mind reader?"Rosalind had the sudden desire to see him smile more fully. "Ashton, you are far too serious. Why don't you smile more often?"He curled an arm around her waist and guided her into a room on the right of the hall. She peered around curiously at the room, taking in walnut wood bookshelves brimming with everything from books containing folded maps of the world to

Mr. Pevensly took pride in being Lady Melbourne's butler and seeing to the duties which helped him care for Her Ladyship's residence. Holding his head high, he descended the stairs, white gloves running the length of the banister. When he reached the bottom stair he lifted his gloved fingers, examining them for dust. They came away clean. With a satisfied smile, he proceeded through the rest of the house, checking on each room. The last door he came to before he was to join the staff downstairs for supper was Her Ladyship's study.Pevensly opened the door and glanced inside, assuming all would be in order. But before he closed the door a breeze drifted through the room from an open window facing the mew below. Papers on the desk rustled, and the curtains slowly lifted and fell.Frowning, Pevensly walked over to the window and slid it shut. A maid must have left it open, for what purpose he could not fathom, but he would speak to the maids and remind them not to leave open windows in

This night was hell on Ashton's control.Watching Rosalind, his Rosalind, going around the dance floor from one man to the nextit was going to kill him. Every time someone touched her hand or made her smile, he flinched."Two more dances. That's all I have to endure." He forced his attention to the rest of the room. His mother was laughing as she huddled in a corner with the other married ladies. A dozen or so ostrich plumes bounced as the ladies bent their heads to gossip. It was his mother's element: the social scene.She was the daughter of an earl, one with a vast fortune, and despite having had her pick of eligible bachelors had married his father out of foolish notions of love. His father's decline had hurt his mother by association. It was only in the last few years that she had entered back into society.He'd helped arrange that, of course, using the fortune he'd built for their family to buy their way back in with wealth and influence. Not that his mother had any notion of

Her dressRosalind suppressed a shiver as Ashton stood behind her, his warm breath fanning across her neck. Once she removed her dress, they would both be completely indecent.Exposed.Ashton's hands moved to the laces of her gown, and he began to pull the threads out. His touch made her jump."What about my slippers?"His lips twitched and a devilish gleam settled in his eyes. "I don't want your slippers.""This is entirely unfair.""Steady on, darling." His chuckle was bedroom soft and deliciously dark."Just take it off," she muttered, her temper sparking.His fingertips stroked her bare shoulders, teasing patterns over her all-too-sensitive skin."And ruin the delight of the moment? Not a chance." The heat from his body enveloped her from behind, and she fought the part of her that wanted this infuriating, seductive man.The movements of his hands were slow and methodical. The fabric gaped slightly when he'd undone all the laces. She clutched her hands at her sides as he