บททั้งหมดของ The League of Rogues: บทที่ 141 - บทที่ 150

Nelson Lewis, a footman in the Sheridan household, lingered in the doorway to the servants' quarters, straining to pick up any bits of conversation from the three ladies still standing in the hall."Emily, why did you stop pestering once he admitted Rosalind was wonderful?" Lady Sheridan asked.The Duchess of Essex played with the pearls around her neck. "I don't believe Ashton has ever said that about any woman. I believe he has stronger feelings for her than he admits, even to himself."Nelson nudged the door an inch further, studying the well-bred ladies as they walked back into the parlor. But before they disappeared inside he heard Lady Rochester speak."A wedding in Hampshire. It will be lovely."Lennox was to be married? He shut the door and came down the stairs to find the butler, careful to appear as though he was about his normal duties. The older man was standing in the servants' corridor, speaking to the housekeeper."Ah, Nelson, there you are. We have a few errands f

The weight of three feminine stares made Ashton's stomach clench. His mother and sister knew nothing of what had transpired all those years ago. Aside from academics, they knew he'd formed deep bonds with his friends and that was all. And he hadn't planned on telling Rosalind more unless he had to. She pulled away from his hold to stare up at him, those gray eyes soft as dove feathers.When he'd first gone to Cambridge, he'd had no friends. His father's death and his subsequent debts had destroyed their societal connections. A year later he'd made true friends, whom he had brought home to meet his family. But he had never shared how he had met the rest of the League."Ashton, I never knew that," his mother said, eyes as wide as saucers from the Lennox family china."It is a bad memory. I never wished to share that burden with anyone else.""I'm so sorry," Rosalind whispered again.He rested his forehead against Rosalind's and stroked her back. She could be furious with him as much

Claire fussed over Rosalind's hair before dinner and laid out a dark purple silk gown with a plunging neckline that would no doubt draw Ashton's attention. Rosalind tugged the bodice up and raised a brow at Claire."You did tell me to pack lightly, Your Ladyship.""I did, but I did not mean to pack the gowns with the least amount of cloth to them. It will attract the eyes of every man in the room."Her maid chuckled. "There's nothing wrong with displaying a lady's bosom in a fine gown.""I quite agree." Ashton's voice made Rosalind and Claire both jump.He stood in the doorway, those blue eyes more alive than she'd ever seen them before. Rosalind looked away, still embarrassed by how much of herself she'd revealed this afternoon in the bath. He'd used intimacy to break down her walls and make her share the darker parts of her heart. She feltperhaps not betrayed, but exposed at the very least."Claire, would you mind giving us a minute?" Her maid bowed, backing away as Ashton walk

Something was definitely not right.Rosalind stood in the center of Ashton's empty bedchamber. It surprised her that she was bothered by his absence. She should have enjoyed the quiet, and yet she longed for his intense gaze and the way he made her feel as if she were the only person in the world.That was one thing she hadn't realized she would enjoy, being the sole focus of a man's attention. Perhaps it was because he was genuinely interested in her and had no wish to hurt or use herhe just wanted her. With Ashton, the world seemed to halt and it was just the two of them, even when they were quarreling.After his departure in the middle of dinner, she'd assumed he'd gone to see to his brother but would likely return. Then Charles had made his apologies, as had Lady Lennox shortly after dinner was over. Given their worried looks before they'd left, Rosalind had sensed something was wrong but wasn't in a position to pry. She'd refused to change out of her clothes and sent Claire to

Rosalind barely slept that night alone in Ashton's bed. She missed the man, his warmth, his laugh, his touch. The scent of him clung to the sheets like a ghost lover. An empty bed had never bothered her before, but it did now because she knew what she was longing for. Her sweet and seductive baron.As dawn peeped in through the windows, Rosalind crawled out of bed and pulled the cord for Claire. It was going to be a long day if she continued to feel this way. She jumped when the door opened, far too soon for it to have been Claire.Ashton stood there, looking as bad as she felt."Rosalind?" He blinked, keeping his distance by remaining in the doorway. He was pale, his blue eyes heavy with shadows. "What are you doing here?""You said I was to stay in your chambers" Had she done something wrong?He walked a step farther into the room, dragging a hand through his hair. "I thought perhaps you'd take advantage and leave while I was seeing to Rafe."She bristled. "I made a promise to