For The Lust 0f A Rogue (Steamy Historical Regency Romance)

by Olivia Bennet

  “Isn’t it wonderful!” Lady Anna swayed in time with the music, smiling and humming along with the tune.

  “We should dance, Lady Caroline,” Lord Estaria said, holding out his hand. She took his hand and they joined in the cotillion. But whenever they swapped position with the other dance couple, Lord Estaria seemed to glower at the other gentleman.

  Did I imagine this look on his face?

  The ball continued well into the night. Caroline managed to escape from Lord Estaria briefly, when she and Lady Anna ran to the back garden, clutching each other just as they had done when they were little girls. They hid behind the water fountain, giggling and holding tightly onto each other.

  This had been their favorite hiding spot, during tedious luncheons and house calls. Lady Anna had driven her governess mad with her silly antics, and Caroline had always admired her best friend’s audaciousness. This was not behavior she would have ever dared to mimic at Brighney Manor.

  They were huddled close together, and she was urgently whispering what had happened with Jasper the other day when she was interrupted when a blood-curdling wail was heard from inside the house.

  “What was that?” they said in unison. They hurried back inside, and the dancing seemed to have come to an abrupt stop. All eyes were on Lady Sarah, who stood in the middle of the dance floor, sobbing and shaking like a leaf. The Duchess of Wessex approached the quivering Lady Sarah, but as soon as she came close to her, Lady Sarah ran away.

  What has happened? What frightened poor Lady Sarah so very much?

  * * *

  Owen pulled hard on the reins. The wind rushed through his hair, and he made sharp and reckless turns. He had just said goodnight to Lady Caroline outside of Brighney Manor. This entire ball had been a complete disaster.

  Lady Sarah was behaving in an unbelievable manner—certainly not fit for a lady. He had only spoken to her briefly, but she twisted his words horribly like she always did. He pulled harder on the reins, making the horse move even faster.

  Lady Caroline barely spoke to me this entire evening. As soon as I turned around, she had disappeared with that friend of hers.

  He was silently fuming. He had planned on proposing to Lady Caroline this evening, but everything had gone to shambles. His month was almost up, but thankfully he had already taken care of one of his problems.

  Earlier that day, before he came to pick up Lady Caroline, he had stopped his barouche near Lady Louisa’s home. There had been no time to send her a letter, he had been forced to find another way to get her to meet him. That morning, Mr. Tiff had informed him that Mr. Langley was due to leave in the next day or so, and would most likely be gone a week.

  There was no time to spare—they needed to put his plan into action soon. He had jumped down from the carriage and walked toward the back of the house. Up to the right was her window. He had then picked up a pebble from the ground and looked around, making sure no one was watching. The pebble had soared through the air, narrowly missing her window.

  The second time it had hit the window. The curtain had been pulled back, and Lady Louisa appeared. She looked around, seeming startled when she finally noticed him. He’d waved to her, signaling she should come outside.

  A short while later, the back door opened, and a hooded figure raced across the street. As soon as she was near enough, he grabbed her toward him, hiding in a dark alley.

  “You must go to Mr. Langley tonight,” he had told her.

  “What? Tonight?”

  “Yes, my darling.” He had stroked her cheek and given her the small bottle he had acquired earlier that day. “Give this to your maid, you know the plan.” Lady Louisa had slowly nodded her head, looking frightened.

  “Remember, this is what must be done in order for us to be together.”

  “All right,” she had replied. He had lifted her chin, kissing her deeply. She had traipsed back to her home, and he returned to his carriage.

  The memory of this made him feel much better, even though tonight had gone the way it had. Finally, something would work out. Lady Louisa was naive enough to do whatever he asked her. Owen had gotten entirely sick and tired of that blasted solicitor meddling his nose in, wherever he went. Whether he was working with Lord Brighney, corrupting Lady Caroline’s mind, or writing his father’s will, Mr. Langley had to be removed from his life.

  Owen had convinced Lady Louisa to go to Mr. Langley’s lodgings. Once inside, she would pretend to faint, and her maid would slip the content of the flask he had procured into his drink. The maid would then ask him to stay with her mistress while she went to fetch the physician. Lady Louisa would make sure that Mr. Langley drank the spiked drink, which would cause him to lose his senses.

  After he has passed out, she would put both of them in the most outrageous position, with very little clothes on. The maid would then return to the lodgings, not with the physician but with Lady Louisa’s parents.

  Her family will do anything to suppress a possible scandal, and if the rumors are true about Mr. Langley he will take responsibility for his actions—especially once she starts showing.

  He was utterly proud of his brilliant plan. He had found a way to get rid of Mr. Langley, as well as take care of the problem with Lady Louisa. After this, he would only have to worry about getting Lady Caroline to agree to marry him, which he suspected would be rather easy.

  Well, especially after I accidentally tell her about Mr. Langley’s antics with Lady Louisa.

  Chapter 35

  Caroline sat at the breakfast table alone. The Dowager Duchess was still a little bit under the weather, and with her father away, she was enjoying this rare treat. Feeling naughty, she grabbed a second bread bun from the basket in front of her. They were still warm and smelled absolutely amazing.

  I should make use of the quiet morning. While Her Grace is resting, I can write more.

  She was sipping on her tea when Mrs. Wilson entered the room.

  “Good morning, My Lady,” Mrs. Wilson said, walking purposefully toward her.

  “Morning, Mrs. Wilson.” Caroline put down her cup and sat straighter. Something about the housekeeper’s behavior made her tense. “Is everything all right?”

  “Yes—” Mrs. Wilson hesitated, looking apprehensively at Caroline.

  “What is it?” Caroline stood up.

  “I have heard a rumor.” Mrs. Wilson breathed her words so that she could hardly hear her. “About Emma.”

  “Do you know where she is?” She spoke rapidly, but Mrs. Wilson shook her head.

  “No, but I know she has left London.”

  “I have not heard from Mr. Langley yet,” she replied. “But I know he will find her. I am certain.”

  “Good, I am glad to hear.” Mrs. Wilson turned to look out the window. Caroline observed the gardeners, trimming the hedges. They stood side by side in silence for a while. Suddenly, she had an idea.

  “Mrs. Wilson!”

  “Yes, My Lady,” Mrs. Wilson replied, seeming slightly rattled with her sudden outburst.

  “If I give you a letter, would you be able to get it to the housekeeper at Duncan Manor?”

  “Duncan Manor?” Mrs. Wilson stared at her.

  “Yes. This is urgent. I need to get a message to Lady Duncan,” Caroline corrected herself. “However, I worry that someone else might see the letter,” she explained.

  “Surely, you can simply send Lady Duncan a letter.” Mrs. Wilson had a crease in her eyebrows. “I do not understand why you would require my assistance.”

  “I only have a suspicion,” she said cautiously. “If my suspicion is correct, Lady Duncan could be in an awful a lot of trouble.”

  “I’m afraid that I do not know the housekeeper at Duncan Manor.” Mrs. Wilson seemed deep in thought. “Let me find out more information before I send them a letter.”

  “Thank you, Mrs. Wilson.” She sighed in relief.

  Caroline walked into her room. She was going to meet Lord Estaria during the afternoon, so she ha
d to make good use of her time.

  I will have to be very careful with my wording in the letter to Miss Pembroke. What if the housekeeper reads it and refuses to give her the message—or worse, if she tells Lord Duncan?

  * * *

  Jasper turned to his side, groaning. His head was pounding, and the ground seemed to be shaking. He reached out his hand, but at that, he suddenly crashed to the floor. Bewildered, he looked up through bleary eyes.

  Where am I? Why on earth did I sleep on the sofa?

  His whole body ached, both from his fall and the uncomfortable sleeping position. His tongue felt dry, and he had a foul taste in his mouth. Slowly, he stood up, but as the floor seemed to be melting beneath his feet, he quickly sat down again.

  I feel as if I was hit by a bull in the head. Why can I hardly remember last night?

  Focusing with all his might, he tried to remember what had happened. But then a loud, thundering sound came. For a moment, he could not be sure where the sound came from, possibly his head? Finally, he realized someone was at the door. Gingerly, he stood up and walked to the front door.

  “Jasper? Are you all right?” It was Selina. Her smile faded at once as he clung to the door. She rushed inside, supporting him.

  “Selina, what are you doing here?” He was only vaguely aware that they were walking. Something was definitely wrong!

  “Sit down, you look terrible.” She guided him to a chair.

  “Thank you,” he mumbled.

  “Are you ill? Should I go and fetch the physician?” Selina sat down next to him.

  “No, no, no,” he replied. “I’m fine, I am.”

  “You are not fine, Jasper. Have you been drinking?” Her tone was concerned, yet reproachful at the same time.

  “I was not drinking,” he said. “I… To be honest, I don’t know what happened yesterday.”

  “What do you mean, you don’t know?” Selina sounded anxious.

  “My head is pounding.” He inhaled deeply, but it only caused his head to throb painfully.

  “I will make some coffee,” she said, standing up and moving to the kitchen.

  He looked around the lodgings, and a memory popped into his head. “I think Lady Louisa came to visit here.”

  “What? Who is Lady Louisa?” Selina stopped preparing the coffee as she gaped at him. “Was she here, in your lodgings?”

  “I don’t really remember,” Jasper replied, massaging his temples.

  “Jasper, you know you cannot be inviting young ladies to your home—” Selina began, but he interrupted her at once.

  “Of course, I know that Selina,” he barked. But just as soon as his anger had surfaced, it died down. “I’m sorry, I should not have yelled at you.”

  “That’s all right. But I’m confused, why was Lady Louisa here?”

  “I haven’t any idea,” he said, before adding hopefully. “Perhaps I imagined it?”

  Selina brought a full mug of coffee to the table and handed it to him. As soon as the scent filled his nostrils, he felt his mind becoming slightly clearer. He took a large sip, burning his tongue slightly.

  “I remember being here last night, preparing for my trip with Lord Brighney,” he began. “There was an urgent knock on my door, and it was Lady Louisa with her maid.”

  “Why was she here?” Selina asked.

  “She mentioned something about having made a wrong turn, or that she was unwell. I can’t remember the details.” He took another sip of his coffee, trying to remember. His memories from the night before were blurry and in patches.

  “Did you invite her inside?” His sister’s face was lined with concern.

  “I think I must have,” he replied, frustratingly. “I can remember that she seemed frightened, and she was inside. Of that, I am sure.”

  “Then what happened?”

  “After that, everything is blank.” Jasper groaned softly.

  “This is all very strange,” she said with concern.

  “Well, enough about that.” He didn’t like the look she was giving him. “What brings you here?”

  “I hadn’t seen you in a while.” She was still observing him as if she did not quite believe him. “I am going to meet a friend at the Tea Room later, and I wanted to see you before you left on your trip.”

  “When will you leave?” Selina added.

  “Early tomorrow morning,” he replied. The silence between was strained, and Jasper felt uneasy and strangely nervous. “I really should finish my preparation.”

  “Yes, of course,” she said, standing up.

  After Selina had left, Jasper stood in the middle of his lodgings, looking around. His home suddenly felt foreign to him, as if it had betrayed him somehow.

  What happened yesterday, and why can I not remember anything?

  * * *

  Caroline sat in the back garden, enjoying the warmth and bird song. After sitting in her room, trying to write the letter to Miss Pembroke, she was desperate for fresh air. She had taken her writing supplies with her. As her aunt had not left her room that day, she felt it was safe. She had been writing a new article, taking her time now, letting herself write and re-write. A luxury she had not allowed herself before.

  “My Lady, I think Lord Estaria has arrived,” Madeleine said, looking toward the house.

  “I better go inside, then.” She sighed and gazed over the paper in front of her. The article wasn’t quite ready, but that was not a problem. Jasper was going away for almost the entire week, which gave her plenty of time. Madeleine collected her writing supplies and put them securely into her apron pocket.

  A sudden robust gush of wind made her fumble with the pages in her hand as they slipped from her fingers. Madeleine bent down and picked up the papers, folding them carefully and adding them to her apron pocket.

  “Should I put these on your worktable?” Madeleine asked.

  “Thank you, Madeleine.” Together they walked toward the house.

  Lord Estaria was waiting for her in the drawing room. He turned around when Caroline entered the room, giving her a deep bow. “Lady Caroline, you certainly look as bright as the sun outside.”

  “Thank you, My Lord,” she replied. He seemed unusually pleased with himself today, which surprised her. When they had left the ball at Wessex Manor, he had been in a terrible mood.

  What has caused this abrupt change in him?

  “His Grace, the Duke of Aston, would like us to join him for dinner tonight,” he said.

  “That was sudden,” she blurted out. “I would be delighted.” She hurriedly added.

  “I’m glad.” Lord Estaria approached her and kissed the back of her hand. “I look forward to spending the day with you, Lady Caroline.”

  “Yes, as do I.” She hesitated for a moment. Now she missed her aunt’s constant interference. Lord Estaria had just said they would spend the rest of the day together, and she could not think of any reason to refuse that. The thought of it alone filled her with dread. He had a strange determination lingering around him. She could not put her finger on it, but something about his certainty made her feel uneasy.

  “Will you join me for a walk in the garden?” Movement and being outdoors felt like a safe choice for them.

  “That sounds quite romantic,” he replied, still not letting go of her hand.

  Oh, dear! I don’t like the way he stares at me. Not at all!

  Chapter 36

  Caroline had escaped into her room. Or at least, she had told Lord Estaria she needed to change before meeting his father. This afternoon had seemed never to end. They had strolled through the back garden, and then he had asked her to play the pianoforte for him. It was still early, and they would not have to leave until later, but she had finally managed to convince him that she wanted to look nice during the dinner.

  Madeleine pulled hard on the strings of the corset, making her gasp for air. “Sorry, My Lady,” Madeleine said apologetically.

  “There is no need to apologize.” She gasped and closed h
er eyes at the uncomfortable sensation. “You should rather curse the dressmaker,” she muttered.

  “Here, it’s ready.” Madeleine helped her step into the lilac silk gown. Her fingers worked rapidly, fastening the pearl buttons, and Caroline observed herself in the mirror. The gown was beautiful, but she could not fully enjoy it, not with the prospect of the fast-approaching dinner.

  “You look lovely, My Lady.” Madeleine stepped away from the mirror as she always did.