The Ton's Most Notorious Rake

by Sarah Mallory

  He took a deep breath. ‘I beg your pardon. Coming in here, what I said to you—it was very wrong of me.’

  Silence. He tried again.

  ‘I did not intend—that is, when Serena suggested you had run off with Kilburn I didn’t believe her. I knew there had to be another explanation.’

  ‘Ha! If that was so, why would you come chasing all the way to Nidderton?’

  ‘Because I had to be sure. I could not bear the thought of your marrying Kilburn.’

  ‘You were the one who said I must find myself a husband.’

  She threw the words at him and he flinched.

  ‘Yes, I know, but...I was wrong.’

  ‘Oh? You think I am unworthy of a gentleman.’

  ‘No!’

  ‘You called me a jade.’

  ‘I apologised for that.’

  ‘And a...a strumpet.’ Her voice positively shook with rage.

  ‘I have said it was wrong of me. But I was angry. I have spent the whole day searching the town for you. I have called at every inn and hotel and tavern, trying to find you.’

  ‘Why on earth would you do that?’

  * * *

  Molly’s heart was pounding against her ribs so hard it hurt. Russ, too, appeared to be breathing heavily. He would not look at her, but was scowling at the floor.

  She moved a step closer. ‘Why, Russ?’

  ‘Because I love you!’

  It was as if the words were wrenched from him. He raised his head and looked at her.

  ‘I could not let you marry Kilburn without telling you how I felt.’

  She put one hand on a chair back to steady herself. It was what she wanted to hear, what she had dreamed of, but her anger still simmered and she was not about to throw herself into his arms.

  ‘And what difference did you think that would make, if I had been about to marry Sir Gerald?’ she asked him, her voice was dripping with scorn. ‘Did you think I would cry off and marry you, because you are more fashionable than your friend, or perhaps because your fortune is ten times larger?’

  ‘No! I know you too well to think you would be influenced by either of those things. I thought you cared for me.’ He exhaled. ‘I thought you loved me.’

  ‘And yet you believed I might marry your friend?’ She shook her head. ‘For a man with such a reputation as a lover, Charles Russington, you are woefully ignorant of women.’

  ‘Of women like you, yes.’

  ‘I am not so very different.’

  ‘Oh, but you are.’ He gave her a rueful smile. ‘You are good and kind and strong. A reformer. A woman of principal. Not at all the sort to attract me, and yet, from the first moment we met, I was lost. When I am near you, I cannot think properly. The polished address that I am supposed to possess all disappears. I admit it, I behave like a moonstruck schoolboy. I cannot help it, Molly, I have fallen helplessly, hopelessly in love with you.’

  He had been moving closer as he spoke, his eyes holding Molly’s, begging her to believe him. He went down on one knee before her.

  ‘Nothing else matters to me but your happiness, Molly. I have never felt like this before, as if my very existence depends upon one person. Upon you. I want you in my life, Molly Morgan. I want you with me, at my side, as my wife, my friend. More than that, I want to be in your life, to help you with your charities if you will let me. I want to learn from your goodness.

  ‘I cannot tell you how it will end, my love, but I give you my word I will try with all my heart to be a good husband to you, to love and cherish you for the rest of your days.’ He reached out to take her hands. ‘What do you say, dearest? It is a big risk, I know, but will you trust me to take care of you? Will you honour me with your heart and your hand?’

  ‘Oh, Russ.’ His face swam before her eyes. ‘Oh, Russ, how I love you!’

  She tugged at his hands and the next instant he was on his feet and pulling her into his arms.

  ‘Say it,’ he muttered, covering her face with kisses. ‘Put me out of my misery, darling Molly, and say you will marry me.’

  Darling Molly.

  Her heart took flight at that and she answered him breathlessly. ‘Yes, yes, I will marry you.’

  With a growl of triumph, he captured her lips again, kissing her so soundly that her very bones turned to water. When Russ ended the kiss she sighed and leaned against him, eyes closed, and it was not until she heard a soft, apologetic cough that she realised they were not alone.

  Gerald and Fleur had come in and were looking at them with unfeigned delight.

  ‘So you have made it up,’ remarked Gerald, grinning.

  ‘Yes,’ said Russ, keeping is arms tight around Molly. ‘Do you think the bishop would grant us a licence, too?’

  ‘Undoubtedly. Frayne told us the fellow was pleased to be bringing one reprobate back into the fold, so I am sure he will be delighted to make it two.’

  ‘Well, my love?’ Russ looked down at Molly, who was still resting her head against his shoulder. ‘Shall we be married in Nidderton? Perhaps Fleur and Gerald would delay their return to Newlands long enough to attend us.’

  ‘I would like that,’ she said softly. She added, blushing, ‘Very much.’

  Gerald clapped his hands. ‘Then it is settled. Did I not tell you there was something in the air here? And, Russ, now you are here you can be my groomsman, tomorrow, If you will.’

  ‘With all my heart, my friend.’

  ‘Capital!’ Gerald opened the door. ‘Now, where’s that rascally landlord? He must fetch us more glasses and we will celebrate!’

  * * *

  An hour later, after several toasts by the gentlemen and not a few tears shed by the ladies, Fleur announced she was going to bed. Molly would have accompanied her, but she waved her back to her seat.

  ‘You have not yet finished your wine,’ she said. ‘I am sure Gerald will escort me to my room.

  ‘With pleasure, my love. I am ready for my bed now, too. We have a busy day ahead.’ He kissed Molly’s cheek, then clasped Russ’s hand. ‘Goodnight, my friend. Fleur and I are delighted you will be with us for our wedding tomorrow and the news that you and Molly are to be married has made our happiness complete.’

  With a final wave he took Fleur’s arm and they went out, leaving Molly and Russ alone.

  ‘Where are you staying?’ she asked him.

  ‘I left Flash at the Fox and Goose while I searched for you. I should be able to get lodging there for the night.’

  ‘But it is late and you cannot be sure of getting a room.’

  Molly kept her eyes lowered while the silence dragged on for a full minute.

  ‘No,’ he said slowly. ‘They may be full by now.’

  She studied her wine, turning the glass round and round in her hands.

  ‘Fleur and I have separate rooms,’ she murmured. ‘You could share mine.’

  She wondered if she had shocked him and looked up anxiously.

  ‘Is that what you want, Molly?’ He was watching her, a mixture of hope and concern in his dark eyes.

  She rose and held out her hand to him. ‘It is what I have wanted, ever since that night at Newlands.’

  * * *

  There was plenty of noise from the taproom but thankfully the stairs and corridors were deserted as Molly led Russ into her room. Pausing only to turn the key in the lock, he took her in his arms and kissed her.

  ‘Are you sure about this, Molly?’

  ‘Very sure.’ Smiling, she cupped his face. ‘I do not want to wait another moment for you.’

  She drew him down to her, pressing her lips against his as her fingers slid into his hair and tangled with the silky curls. His tongue danced into her mouth, flickering, teasing, and she pressed herself against him as her body responded. Between kisses they began to undress one another, their
fingers scrabbling with strings and buttons until they fell together, naked, on to the bed.

  She gave a little mewl of pleasure as he put his mouth to one breast, while his fingers played with the other. She shifted restlessly as the lightness rippled through her body, but she resisted the pull of desire and concentrated on Russ’s pleasure, kissing and stroking his hard, aroused body until she knew he was also at the tipping point, then she straddled him, taking him inside her, gasping at the delight of it and revelling at her power as he groaned beneath her. She bent forward to kiss him and he gasped as her breasts skimmed his chest. In one swift movement he caught her in his arms and rolled her over, taking control, never breaking the kiss.

  He began to push into her, slowly and steadily, every movement a caress that took her closer to the pinnacle. Her response was instinctive, tensing around him, lifting her hips, feeling the heat building. When she would have cried out he stopped her mouth with a kiss, his tongue thrusting deep, and she felt her body melting beneath the onslaught until she was almost fainting with delight. He carried her higher, the ripples building into a flood. She was flying, soaring, almost delirious with the pleasure of it all. Russ gasped out her name and their bodies shuddered and bucked against one another. She felt the dam burst within her and clung on tightly as the final spasm took her over the edge and consciousness splintered. She and Russ collapsed together, sated, exhausted and cradled in each other’s arms.

  Gently, Russ drew the covers over them to keep off the chill air, and as he wrapped himself around her, Molly felt a glow of contentment. She snuggled against him and closed her eyes. The past was done now. She could look forward to the future.

  Epilogue

  One year later

  The church of All Souls was full. Fleur and Gerald had already moved to the font with their baby girl, waiting for Edwin to begin the baptism. Molly felt her happiness growing as she gazed around her at all the familiar faces.

  Agnes was sitting closer to the pulpit, as befitted the vicar’s wife, and Molly was relieved to see that she was glowing with health as she approached the final stages of her pregnancy. Then there were her friends from Prospect House, filling their allotted pews, and in front of them were the servants from Newlands. Molly had watched in delight as Daisy Matthews, in her role as housekeeper, had proudly led them in, including her son, Billy, almost swaggering in his new livery as Sir Gerald’s tiger.

  Beside her, Russ lowered his head to murmur in her ear, ‘Lady Kilburn is looking radiant today.’

  Molly’s gaze moved back to Fleur.

  ‘Of course,’ she whispered. ‘She is very happy in her marriage.’

  ‘And you, Molly—’ his deep velvet voice sent the familiar ripple of pleasure through her ‘—are you happy?’

  She glanced down at the sleeping baby in her arms. Their son, about to be christened as Charles Edwin Gerald Russington.

  ‘Oh, yes. I could not be happier.’

  She gazed up at him, her eyes shining with love, and Russ’s heart swelled. He was overwhelmed with the pride and joy he felt for his family. He had never dreamt he would settle for life in a small town so far from London, but he was no longer a lost soul. Everything he wanted, everything he needed was here in Compton Parva.

  He had come home.

  Putting one arm protectively about Molly, he smiled down at her.

  ‘Come along, then, my darling wife. Let us join Fleur and Gerald at the font and allow your brother to do his duty.’

  * * * * *

  If you enjoyed this story you won’t want to miss these other great reads by Sarah Mallory:

  PURSUED FOR THE VISCOUNT’S VENGEANCE

  THE DUKE’S SECRET HEIR

  And why not explore Sarah Mallory’s

  THE INFAMOUS ARRANDALES quartet?

  Starting with

  THE CHAPERON’S SEDUCTION

  Keep reading for an excerpt from LORD RAVENSCAR’S INCONVENIENT BETROTHAL by Lara Temple.

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  New York Times bestselling author Julia London brings you the latest novel in an unforgettable series with The Highland Grooms.

  Devil in Tartan

  Peril and passion on enemy seas...

  Lottie Livingstone bears the weight of an island on her shoulders. Under threat of losing their home, she and her clan take to the seas to sell a shipload of illegal whiskey. When an attack leaves them vulnerable, she transforms from a maiden daughter to a clever warrior. For survival, she orchestrates the siege of a rival’s ship and now holds the devilish Scottish captain Aulay Mackenzie under her command.

  Tied, captive and forced to watch a stunning siren commandeer the Mackenzie ship, Aulay burns with the desire to seize control—of the ship and Lottie. He has resigned himself to a life of solitude on the open seas, but her beauty tantalizes him like nothing has before. As authorities and enemies close in, he is torn between surrendering her to justice and defending her from assailants. He’ll lose her forever, unless he’s willing to sacrifice the unimaginable...

  Join these sinfully seductive Scottish heroes and sensual yet headstrong heroines as they surrender their hearts to love in the lush, green Scottish Highlands. Don’t miss the other titles in this series:

  Wild Wicked Scot

  Sinful Scottish Laird

  Hard-Hearted Highlander

  Complete your collection!

  “London’s new Highland Grooms series will be well worth following if this first novel is any indication.... An absorbing read from a novelist at the top of her game.”

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  Lord Ravenscar’s Inconvenient Betrothal

  by Lara Temple

  Chapter One

  Alan Rothwell, Lord Ravenscar, drew his team of black purebreds to a stop on the uneven drive of Hollywell House. It was fitting that each mile pa
ssed on the road from Bath had added a shade of grey to the clouds. It suited his mood and it certainly suited the gloom of the sooty stone and unkempt lawn of Hollywell House.

  The estate had seen better days and with any luck would see them again, but first he would have to buy the place. The only problem was that he had no idea from whom. The news that Albert Curtis had dropped dead in church in the middle of his sermon after recovering from a bout of fever was doubly unwelcome—now Alan would have to renegotiate the purchase with whoever inherited the house.

  ‘What now, Captain?’ His groom tilted his head to inspect the clouds and Alan handed him the reins and jumped down, avoiding a muddy rut. Even the gravel was thin on the ground and the drive in worse shape than the country lane leading up from Keynsham. No wonder poor Albert had wanted to escape to a mission in the jungle; he had not been cut out to be a landlord.

  ‘The door’s open. Perhaps the new heir is inside, come to inspect his new domain. Walk the horses while I see what I can do about this setback, Jem.’

  ‘Matter of time before we get soaked, Captain.’

  ‘Isn’t it time you stopped calling me Captain? It’s been six years since we sold out. Don’t think I don’t notice you only revert to rank when you’re annoyed with me, Sergeant.’

  ‘It’s coming through this stretch of Somerset, Captain. Always makes you jittery.’

  ‘With good reason. What’s your excuse?’

  ‘Your foul temper the closer you come to Lady Ravenscar’s territory, Captain.’

  Jem grinned and tapped the whip to the leader’s back, setting the curricle in motion before Alan could respond to his old sergeant’s provocation.

  Jem was right, of course. His temper was never one of his strong points, but it undeniably deteriorated the closer he came to Ravenscar Hall. Stanton had warned him to steer clear of Hollywell and find another property, preferably on the other side of Bristol, and Stanton had a damn annoying tendency to be right. No doubt he would tell him it served him right for trying to poke one in his grandmother’s eye. The satisfaction of imagining her reaction to his plans for Hollywell House was fast losing its appeal the closer he came to his childhood home.