บททั้งหมดของ The League of Rogues: บทที่ 191 - บทที่ 200

James didn't feel like sitting, but when Audrey motioned for him to sit while she poured tea, he did the gentlemanly thing and eased into the nearest chair. He took a moment to study the lady before him. She looked bright-eyed and well, with no hint of the dark horrors she had faced the previous evening. She, like Gillian, was like no other woman he'd ever met. He was used to encountering preening, silly creatures who focused only a man's title and wealth. These two petite Amazons with their warrior spirits surprised himand fascinated him."How are you after last night? I'm afraid that due to the chaos we could not avoid getting separated. I trust Mr. St. Laurent escorted you safely home?""Oh yes, we were fine." She held out a cup of tea and he accepted it, taking a sip only after she sipped from her own cup. The orange pekoe was one he did not drink often, but he rather liked the subtle hints of spices upon his tongue. Audrey had excellent taste in tea."And Miss Beaumont? Did she

Gillian laughed as her horse galloped ahead of James's along a field of wildflowers and wheat-colored grass. A late summer had lingered this year, leaving the field glowing with color and life. The thunder of hooves behind her made her glance over her shoulder. James was grinning astride a black gelding. Their eyes met, and he smacked his riding crop on his horse's flank. The beast took the command quite seriously, and James was suddenly racing alongside her."First one to the road wins!" he shouted.Gillian leaned low over her own horse, gripping the reins tight, listening to the mare's steady but labored breaths."Come on, you can beat him," she whispered in the horse's ear. Then she gave her mare a kick, and the horse picked up its pace. Just enough to pull ahead.The end of the road came all too soon. She laughed as she reined the horse in till it was huffing and dancing in place.James steered his horse close to hers, their knees touching in a light bump. "You won." She'd had

Gillian touched her lips, lost in the sudden rush of emotions she felt in James's kiss. Then a cry from the room behind her had her rushing back inside. Horatia was crouched beside the bed, and groaning in just a nightgown.Lucien gripped one of her hands, his other arm at her lower back. She panted and puffed out several quick breaths and then relaxed. Audrey hovered nearby, her hands wringing fretfully."Does it hurt much?" Audrey asked her older sister."Ah!" Horatia clenched down on Lucien's hand.He winced. "God's teeth! Where does a woman find such strength?" "I think it's safe to say it hurts a great deal," Charles said to Audrey. "Why don't you see if we can't get some chips of ice or cold cloths soaked in water?""Right." Audrey turned to Gillian. "Did you hear that?""Yes, my lady, I can fetch them," Gillian reassured her."Thank you." Audrey hugged her and then turned back to her sister."I think I need to lie downcatch my breath," Horatia gasped. Lucien helped her

Letty Fordyce waited nervously in the entryway to the Earl of Morrey's townhouse. A letter was inside her reticule, a letter full of salacious gossip, but Letty needed answers, and this was perhaps the one place she could get it.The butler appeared. "My apologies for the wait. His lordship will see you now."Letty followed the servant to a room on the second floor. She entered the drawing room and was struck by the general attractiveness of the furnishings. The Earl of Morrey had fine taste. A figure rose from a chair as she came deeper into the room. The man was tall with dark hair and striking gray eyes that made her knees oddly weak as he smiled at her. His face was attractive too, quite so, but it was his eyes that held her attention. They so reminded her of someone, but she couldn't quite place who it was."Lady Letticia?" His voice was low and gentle, and the cadence of his speech held a hint of familiarity and intimacy that made her shiver. He spoke like a lovernot that she

Two weeks had passed since James's mother had died, yet he still felt her presence in the townhouse after he and Letty returned to London. He missed her with every breath, yet a part of him felt relieved that she was no longer suffering. She'd not been herself for several years, and he'd wished that if he could not have healed her, he could at least have her pain ended. While his heart was still broken, he knew that she was with his father now, and there, together, they could be happy. James lingered in the entry hall, hat in hand as he prepared himself for the day that would forever change his life. He was going to go and claim Gillian as his own. Publicly, in the manner she deserved. He knew she had promised to wait, and they had written to each other every day reaffirming their commitment, yet his stomach was tight with knots."James" His sister's voice made him turn. Letty descended the stairs, looking rather lovely in a simple lilac day gown proper for mourning and a shawl. It