Lahat ng Kabanata ng The League of Rogues: Kabanata 61 - Kabanata 70

Lucien couldn't stop himself. Her hands fisted in his hair and her silken mouth welcomed his tongue with a reckless intensity he'd never experienced from any woman before. He'd had countless lovers and mistresses, but none had so completely abandoned their control as Horatia did. She did not lose herself. She was still Horatia, from the soft brown waves of her chestnut hair to the tips of her blue slippers. But when she kissed him, she threw caution, morals and hesitancy to the wind in a way that had him desperate to possess her.He'd always prided himself on his own self-control. Of course, lately he seemed to have little of it and Horatia had been testing what remained to its limit. He wanted to sink so deep into her that he'd never leave, wanted to lose himself in her eyes and drown in the symphony of her breathless cries. He'd thought of nothing else the entire carriage ride to Kent. Each time a curl of her hair was jostled by the bumpy road, he'd watched with envy as it caressed

The afternoon seemed to stretch for hours. Linley's back ached from hiding in the mews outside Jackson's Salon. The dark suit he wore was borrowed and slightly too big, as were the waistcoat and breeches. The entire ensemble was nearly threadbare and didn't keep out the chill of the winter wind. With each gust, he hastily gripped the edges of his white-powdered wig on his head, keeping it secure.He prayed that the man he was sent to watch would appear soon. His fingers were turning blue and his blood was like ice in his veins. His quarry, the Earl of Lonsdale, a skilled boxer, could spend hours in the salon. There was no telling when Linley would get a chance to escape the cold and seek shelter inside. He rubbed his hands together, attempting to generate warmth. It didn't help.A sudden wave of exhaustion swept through him. He didn't want to be here. His master had made him come here. Sir Hugo Waverly. A true bastard if there ever was one. Tom tried not to think about it but failed.

Horatia stared at Lucien's riderless horse as it galloped around the side of the house and found its way back to the stables. Even as fast as it was moving, it seemed to be favoring its left foreleg. The reins hung limply in front of it.Where was Lucien? She ran to snatch her cloak and left through a side door close to the stables. She dashed outside and took hold of the horse's reins. The horse fixed her with a baleful stare. It was then that Horatia saw the trickle of blood near the back of the saddle. She loosened the girth and raised the saddle with trembling fingers.A sprig of barberry was embedded into the horse's skin, the thorns causing a painful wound on the animal. If Lucien had sat back too hard he would have forced the thorns deeper. Horatia gazed out towards the field. Where was Lucien? Perhaps the horse had escaped him when he'd returned.She brought the horse to the stables where a groom took the reins."He had some barberry tucked under his saddle," she informed h

Horatia perched in a chair against the wall, listening to Lady Rochester's performance on the pianoforte. Cedric attended her, turning the pages as he followed her progress on the sheet music. Audrey was dancing with Gregory Cavendish, the two of whom seemed to be making the most of the wide expanse of the ballroom. Avery and Lucinda were dancing near them and Lysandra was dancing with her youngest brother.A smile tugged at Horatia's lips. It warmed her to see Audrey so happily engaged. Her first season had been quite a disappointment after word of Cedric's overbearing nature circulated among the young bucks of the ton. Audrey had wept for days when no flowers or cards had been delivered to her. There was nothing so cruel as to watch one's sibling suffer. Marriage was all the poor girl wanted, and with Cedric's watchful eyes she simply didn't stand a chance.Horatia spied Lucien across the room with Lawrence and their guests. He seemed much recovered, although still pale. There was

Lawrence flung himself into a deep armchair within a private parlor, his brothers flanking it on either side. His head hurt like the devil. He'd likely have a knot on his brow by the morning. Avery frowned and stared down at him while Linus paced back and forth. The rest of the guests had all gone to sleep and the three Russells were alone now to discuss the possible victory of their plan."Well, Lawrence, how did it go?" Linus asked.Lawrence growled in response. He didn't want to think about what he'd just done. "I have a bad feeling that Lucien is going to put a bullet through me tomorrow. And if Cedric catches wind, it might be two.""What?" Avery eyes widened."I went too far. It took Lucien too long to find us." Lawrence rubbed his eyes wearily."Just how far is too far exactly?" Linus asked."In trying to delay things I was perhaps a bit too convincing of my intentions and frightened the poor woman. She smashed her head into mine when I tried to kiss her. It was never my i