Semua Bab The League of Rogues: Bab 211 - Bab 220

There were few things more frustrating than sitting through a long carriage ride with a fretful lady's maid. After listening for two hours to Gillian worry about the house party, Audrey breathed a sigh of relief as the coach finally stopped at Rochester Hall, her sister's country residence. If only Gillian could take a breath, Audrey knew everything would be all right. She had plans to make this week perfect for Gillian and James.Audrey tipped her head back, admiring the lovely ancestral home of her brother-in-law, the Marquess of Rochester. The Palladian architecture of Lucien's estate was beautiful, the wide columns, the pale ashlar stone. The house looked as if it had withstood a century with ease and would stand several more. It wasn't the first time Audrey had been here. She'd visited often over the last ten years, but it felt new each time she arrived. There was a magic to Rochester Hall that was undeniable. It was a place where dreams and dynasties collided. And now her sister

Audrey stared at a row of pineapples in the garden table, thinking. Not about the tart, prickly shaped fruit but about Jonathan. He was here, despite the fact that he shouldn't be, and she had no idea what to do about it. Why was he here? He avoided social gatherings whenever possible, except for dinners with his closest friends. Why hadn't he written to her in the last week? And why did he have to look so wonderfully handsome and virile? The flurry of questions made her head ache.While the house party was of a decent size, enough so that they would not need to interact too much, it was still possible that they would be forced into close proximity on occasion. And she would be here for a week. She couldn't hide in every alcove or duck out of every balcony door when he came toward her; that simply wasn't possible.It isn't in me to retreat. Yet that was exactly what she felt like doing.With an irritated sigh, she turned around and walked into the hard, imposing body of the very man

Tom Linley pressed his ear to the keyhole of Lord Rochester's study, heart pounding."Will you be her shadow, Jon?" Rochester's words were barely audible, but Linley heard them, as well as Mr. St. Laurent's agreement. He'd heard all he needed to. He dashed into the nearest chamber down the corridor before the trio of gentlemen left Rochester's study. They would soon be leaving for dinner."Mr. Linley?" Linley glanced around. Audrey sat in a chair by the fire, looking cozy as she read a book. They were in a small drawing room, a private one for members of the family only, but he'd thought it was empty when he'd scouted it earlier."My apologies, Miss Sheridan." He straightened himself and prepared to leave, as if nothing was amiss."Oh no, please. I was just going. Dinner will be ready." Audrey stood, her dark green gown a bold creation of satin and trimmed with Belgian lace. No doubt the earl and his friends were dressed with equal refinement. Fine clothing and pleasant evenings wi

Jonathan wound his arms around Audrey, pulling her to him. She tasted so sweet, and he knew he was making a dangerous move by kissing her now. The last thing he wanted was to make her regret being with him. He had no title and only a small estate to offer, yet she was the daughter of a viscount. Audrey acted quite forward in her thinking, but he didn't trust that if it came down between her place in society and love that she would choose him.And yet he couldn't stop kissing her. She gave a soft purr that made him rigid with need. He wanted to see her come apart in his arms as she had that night at the Midnight Garden. He'd been brave enough to touch her then, to show her what could exist between them. To do wicked things without truly compromising her. He'd seen the startled look of dazed pleasure on her, and it had nearly destroyed him with desire. Audrey in the throes of passion had been perhaps the most exquisite thing he'd ever seen.His kisses turned soft, then hard, then soft

Jonathan scraped the razor over his chin, then swished the blade in the bowl of hot water. Then he put the razor to his skin again, watching himself carefully in the mirror. His gaze darted to his bed in the mirror. It was immaculate since he hadn't slept there last night, but he could still picture Audrey lying there, half-naked, tempting him with that seductive look to stay in bed all day with her.He smiled at the thought of her wanting to watch him shave. This morning had been a true victory in his war to win her heart. She wouldn't surrender to just any man.When she had taken him into her mouth so unexpectedly, he half believed he had perished in that bed and a choir of angels were singing him to heaven. If she was inexperienced now, he was afraid to imagine how deadly she would be with a bit of practice.Jonathan set the razor down on the cloth by the basin and eyed the clothes his valet had laid out on the bed. A burgundy waistcoat shot through with gold thread and a pair of