บททั้งหมดของ The League of Rogues: บทที่ 251 - บทที่ 260

The morning room's peach-colored walls glowed with the bright winter sunlight flooding the room through the tall windows. Emily was seated on a chair by a crackling fire, a book in her hands. She beamed at him as he entered, then nodded toward Lily, who was on a couch by the window, also reading. No doubt Emily had wanted them to be seen in this exact way when he entered.Charles cleared his throat, and Lily glanced up, the gaze of her blue eyes caressing him. He wanted to drag her into his arms and kiss her senseless behind the curtains. But no, indulging in brief meaningless passions was what the other Charles would do. He had to be more than that for her.Lily's eyes widened when she saw what he held. Feeling like a bloody fool, he thrust the bouquet out awkwardly."Here." It was the only word he could get out at first. His heart was hammering so loudly he could barely think.Lily blinked. "Pardon?"Charles heard Godric snort behind him. Emily put a hand to her face, trying to

London, September 1819Jane stood anxiously in the parlor, watching the clock on the mantel. A footman had brought tea in, and she kept wanting to pour herself a cup to calm her nerves. It had been so long since she'd seen her son. At last, her letters to him had finally received an answer. He was coming here to speak with her, to reconcile after his father's death all those years ago.The door to the parlor opened, and her butler escorted her son inside. Her heart leapt at the sight. He'd grown tall and handsome, like his father. But unlike Guy, he had her dark eyes and dark hair, which had pleased her husband Baltus since he'd been dark as well. Still, it hadn't erased the pain in her marriage, knowing that she'd come into her union with Baltus while carrying the child of first love."Hugo," Jane breathed, her lips trembling as she held out her hands. He approached her a little stiffly, but he took her hands in his as they sat down on the settee beside each other."Tea?" she offe

Lily held her breath as she looked at her reflection in the mirror. She was in her guest bedchamber at the Essex house and was unable to deny she felt like a princess from one of the fairy tales she read to Katherine. The dark-rose gown she had put on was, in a word, stunning. It didn't try to hide her height, nor did it overly embellish her more gentle curves. Rather, it brought out the beauty of her willowy figure.The dress was designed with gold bands of embroidered patterns along the sleeves and the hem. The neckline was deep and square cut, and Lily blushed as she reached up to touch her collarbone.How long had it been since she'd played the lady? Too long. There were nights she'd escaped Charles's employment as Tom and had been able to venture to Vauxhall, even Gunter's for flavored ices, or to Bond Street for shopping. And then there had been those times Hugo had had need of her skills in a more feminine guise. But tonight she was to be out in society and would have a genuin

Charles couldn't look at Lily after he helped her out of the coach, so he turned his focus on their destination. They faced a lovely townhouse with dead ivy crawling up the walls. He rapped the knocker, and a tall, muscular middle-aged butler met them at the door."Lord Lonsdale to see Lord Darlington.""Is there a message to take to Lord Darlington?" the butler asked."Tell him, Cam."They were allowed inside and waited in the entryway while the butler went upstairs. Charles kept himself at attention, still trying not to look at Lily. A few minutes later, the butler returned."I'm to show you to the library. His lordship will be down as soon as he is dressed. He also told me to deliver these." He held a handful of letters, addressed to all of the League members."Yes, that's correct.""I'll have my quickest lads deliver them at once."Charles and Lily were shown into the library. Charles found himself torn between wanting to speak to her and wanting to be as far away as possib

Charles slipped out of bed in the early morning. After donning his clothes, he crept to the nursery. Katherine was awake and being tended to by Emily's nurse.The nurse curtseyed. "Good morning, my lord."Kat ran toward him, and he caught her up in his arms. "Unca Charles!""I'll be your papa soon. Would you like that?"She studied him, then laid one tiny hand on his jaw and nodded. "Papa Charles?""That's right." He pressed a kiss to her forehead and held her close, his heart fit to burst as she curled her arms around his neck, hugging him back."I have to go downstairs now, but you stay here and play with your nurse, all right?"The nurse's eyes lit up as she smiled. "What a lucky child you are, Katherine, to have such a wonderful papa soon." She led Katherine back to her pile of toys by the fire as Charles took his leave.He paused in the doorway, watching his daughter-to-be. It didn't matter that she was Hugo's by birth; she would belong to Charles in every way that mattere