“And Mother’s sake,” Daphne added.
“Precisely. We’ll pretend as if the first marriage never happened,” Julian said.
“I don’t care what we do as long as we can tell everyone we’re married.” Daphne squeezed Rafe’s hand.
Rafe kissed her atop the head. “Don’t worry, darling, no one will ever pull us apart. Besides, we already—”
“Ah, ah, ah,” Julian said, putting up a hand, palm first. “Please spare me.”
Rafe gave him a devilish grin and so did Daphne. Cass giggled.
“I was only going to say that we already got permission from the War Office to use the True Love for our honeymoon. We’re sailing off,” Rafe said.
“To France?” Lucy asked.
Rafe shook his head. “No, not France. I don’t care if I ever see that country again.”
A muted gasp came from the other side of the door.
“Delilah,” Daphne called. “You might as well come in. I know you’re there.”
A few seconds passed before the door opened and Delilah came marching in. She was wearing her pink ballet costume and had a triumphant smile upon her face.
She took a seat on the settee next to Daphne and grinned at the married couple.
“Don’t you look like the cat who ate the canary?” Daphne said, unable to repress her smile.
Delilah clasped her hands together near her cheek. “Oh, j’adore a happy ending and I just want to state for the record that I did it. I did it all!” She stood quickly and performed a pirouette.
Daphne’s mouth fell open. She plunked her hands on her hips. “What did you do, you little urchin?”
Delilah curtsied to her, lifting the edges of her skirt daintily. “Why, I chased away that abominable Lord Fitzwell, of course, and ensured that you and Captain Cavendish were together. Though I’ll admit Aunt Willie helped a bit, but I was quite instrumental.”
“And ever so modest,” Cass said with a laugh, taking a sip of her tea.
“Why should I be modest? I’m exceedingly proud of myself,” Delilah replied, her nose in the air.
“As you should be,” Rafe added with a laugh.
Delilah beamed at him. “Merci beaucoup, Capitaine.”
Lucy’s brows shot up. “I do believe I’ve discovered my own little disciple,” Lucy said. She patted Delilah on the hand. “You’re already quite good at plotting things, dear, and you’re only twelve. Just imagine the trouble you could get up to when you’re our age.”
“It boggles the mind to consider,” Daphne said.
Derek stood. “I was waiting till all was settled before I mentioned this, but I had an interesting audience with Wellington and the Prince Regent earlier today.”
Daphne’s eyes went wide. “What did they say?”
Derek bowed and spread his hand out in front of Rafe. “Meet the newest viscount of the realm, my lady.”
Rafe shot Daphne a sly look and grinned. “It’s true.”
Daphne clapped her hands. “Oh, Rafe. You’re a viscount now? Why didn’t you tell me?”
Rafe shrugged. “Apparently, torture and heroics will get you a viscountcy these days. And I didn’t say anything because I wanted your brother to accept me as your husband without a viscountcy. The same way you did, my love.”
“Ha. Now you’ll have to accept us blue bloods, Cavendish,” Julian said with a laugh, clapping his new brother-in-law on the shoulder.
“The official reason for the title was for bringing justice to the Earl of Swifdon’s killers,” Derek said. “And there are lands and monies that come with it.”
“I insisted upon being a spy viscount of course,” Rafe replied. “At least, I intend to help whenever I can, but I think I’ll stick to English soil from now on. I may be expected to spend my time at gentlemen’s clubs, but I’ll feel useful if I’m able to help here in London.”
“What did the Prince Regent say about that?” Daphne asked.
“He said he thought it was perfect because he could use a member of the aristocracy who is a spy and whose wife just happens to speak Russian,” Rafe replied.
“I quite agree with him. We are a fine combination,” Daphne said with a laugh, clutching her husband’s hand to her side.
Rafe turned to her, his face solemn. “I explained to the prince that you were the real hero, Daphne. He said as you’re already a lady and married to me, that shall suffice. Though he does agree you should be rewarded with a medal for your bravery.”
Daphne leaned over and kissed him on the cheek. “I don’t want a medal or a viscountcy. All I ever wanted was you.”
Delilah sighed dramatically. “Ah, amour.”
“But it’s you who should be knighted,” Rafe insisted to Daphne.
“I am already a lady. And now you are a lord.”
“Oh, I’m a lord now, am I? Not a rogue?” Rafe grinned at her.
Daphne patted his shoulder. “You’ll always be a rogue, my love. My irresistible rogue.”
The butler entered the room and cleared his throat. “There’s someone here to see you, Captain,” Pengree said, directing his gaze toward Rafe.
“Someone came here to see me?” Rafe pointed at himself.
“Yes,” Pengree replied. “I must say, he’s quite—well, he’s…”
“Who is it, Pengree? Did this visitor give a name?” Julian asked.
“A Mr. Daffin Oakleaf, my lord.”
Daphne looked at Rafe. “Who is Daffin Oakleaf?” But Rafe’s face was turning a mottled shade of red she’d never seen before. He was angry.
“Show him in, Pengree,” Julian replied.
They all waited a few minutes for Pengree to return with the guest. When the man walked into the room, Daphne gasped. Cass clapped a hand over her mouth. Lucy’s eyebrows shot up straight. Claringdon blinked. And Julian looked twice.
Rafe’s face was a mask of stone.
The man looked exactly like Rafe.
“There are two of you!” Delilah exclaimed, her eyes wide as saucers. She looked as if she might faint.
Claringdon was next to speak. “Either the government has learned how to duplicate people or I’d say we’re about to meet your twin, Captain.”
The man bowed. “Daffin Oakleaf, at your service.”
“We both know that’s not your name,” Rafe said through clenched teeth.
“Of course it’s not. But I can hardly go by Cade Cavendish any longer,” the man replied, and Daphne noticed that he had the same cleft in his chin as Rafe did. She kept glancing back and forth between them. The only way she could tell the difference was that Daffin, or Cade, or whatever his name was, had much longer hair. “Rafe, this is your brother?” she asked.
“Yes,” came Rafe’s monotone reply. “My twin brother.”
“That’s right,” Cade said. “I must say, I’m thrilled that you’re claiming me. Though I suppose with our looks, you don’t have much choice, do you?”
Rafe narrowed his eyes at the man. “I thought you were dead. That is, until that blond climbed into my bed unexpectedly last spring.”
“Yes, sorry about that,” Cade replied. “Amanda told me you were not particularly excited to see her. She sends her apologies. She did think she’d found me. Not knowing I was a twin of course.”
Daphne’s mouth fell open. She gaped at Cade. “That was your blond?”
“One of them,” Cade replied with a grin even more devilish than his brother’s.
Daphne turned to Rafe. “Why didn’t you tell me you had a twin?”
Rafe shook his head. “It’s such a long story. I don’t know where I would even begin. As I said, I believed he was dead.”
Cade marched over to the sofa, plopped down, and put his boots on the table, crossing his feet at the ankles. Then he folded his hands behind his head and leaned back, comfortable as you please. “Why don’t you start at the beginning, dear brother? We have all the time in the world. For the time being, I’m back.”
AUTHOR’S NOTE
I hope you’ve enjoyed reading Daphne and Rafe’s story. From the moment they stepped onto the pages of the other novels in the Playful Brides series, I knew these two were destined to be together.
As many of you may know, obtaining a divorce or an annulment during the Regency period in England was not only extremely rare, it was exceedingly difficult. Because I loosely based this story on one of my favorite plays (and movies!) of all time, Philip Barry’s The Philadelphia Story, I took the liberty of beginning the story with Daphne and Rafe already married and in search of an annulment. In reality, the Prince Regent did not have the authority to dissolve a marriage or even to expedite an annulment. An annulment would have had to have been based on either impotency, insanity, or a close familial relationship between the bride and groom. While it’s not probable that this story would have taken place in quite this fashion, I always say that I’m a storyteller, not a historian, and as a storyteller, I’m more concerned with the what-ifs than the why-nots. I so enjoy taking a bit of license in order to bring you the most amusing romplike what-if my imagination can conjure.
As always, thank you so much for reading my stories. You are the reason I spend my time writing.
Valerie Bowman
Thank you for reading The Irresistible Rogue.
I hope you enjoyed Daphne and Rafe’s story.
I adored writing about these two adventure-loving characters!
I’d love to keep in touch.
• Visit my website for information about upcoming books, excerpts, and to sign up for my email newsletter: www.ValerieBowmanBooks.com.
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• Follow me on Twitter at @ValerieGBowman, https://twitter.com/ValerieGBowman.
• Reviews help other readers find books. I appreciate all reviews whether positive or negative. Thank you so much for considering it!
Coming soon …
Look for the next novel in this irresistible series by
Valerie Bowman
The Untamed Earl
Coming in May 2016 from St. Martin’s Paperbacks
“Sexy, satisfying romance.”—Kirkus Reviews
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Valerie Bowman grew up in Illinois with six sisters (she’s number seven) and a huge supply of historical romance novels. After a cold and snowy stint earning a degree in English with a minor in history at Smith College, she moved to Florida the first chance she got. Valerie now lives in Jacksonville with her family including her rascally dog, Roo. When she’s not writing, she keeps busy reading, traveling, or vacillating between watching crazy reality TV and PBS. Valerie loves to hear from readers. Find her on Facebook, Twitter, and at www.ValerieBowmanBooks.com. Or sign up for email updates here.
ALSO BY VALERIE BOWMAN
The Unlikely Lady
The Accidental Countess
The Unexpected Duchess
Secrets of a Scandalous Marriage
Secrets of a Runaway Bride
Secrets of a Wedding Night
NOVELLAS
A Secret Affair
A Secret Proposal
It Happened Under the Mistletoe
ANTHOLOGY
Christmas Brides
Praise for these other novels in the spectacular Playful Brides series by
VALERIE BOWMAN
THE UNLIKELY LADY
“Bowman keeps her prose and characters fresh and interesting; her book is an entertaining renewal of a classic plotline and well worth reading.”
—Kirkus Reviews
THE ACCIDENTAL COUNTESS
“The references to Oscar Wilde’s play are more of a tribute than a straight retelling, which keeps this hilarious and lively story from becoming too predictable. Bowman is one to watch.”
—Kirkus Reviews (starred review)
“Readers will take the well-drawn, likable characters into their hearts, enjoying every moment of their charming love story as it unfolds in unexpected ways. Simply enjoy the humor and tenderness.”
—RT Book Reviews (4½ stars)
“Merry, intelligent, and wholly satisfying. The plot is elaborate, and Bowman handles it with grace to spare.”
—USA Today
“A fun sexy read that will have you laughing and crying. Valerie Bowman has outdone herself with this one … a true gem.”
—Single Titles
“An emotionally powerful tale with the perfect balance of humor and enchanting romance!”
—Fresh Fiction
THE UNEXPECTED DUCHESS
“Smart, witty, sassy, and utterly delightful!”
—RT Book Reviews (4½ stars, Top Pick!)
“Engaging characters, snappy banter, and judicious infusion of smoldering sensuality will have readers clamoring for the next installment in this smart and sexy series.”
—Booklist (starred review)
“A fun, smart comedy of errors and a sexy, satisfying romance.”
—Kirkus Reviews (starred review)
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CONTENTS
Title Page
Copyright Notice
Dedication
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Seventeen
Chapter Eighteen
Chapter Nineteen
Chapter Twenty
Chapter Twenty-one
Chapter Twenty-two
Chapter Twenty-three
Chapter Twenty-four
Chapter Twenty-five
Chapter Twenty-six
Chapter Twenty-seven
Chapter Twenty-eight
Chapter Twenty-nine
Chapter Thirty
Chapter Thirty-one
Chapter Thirty-two
Chapter Thirty-three
Chapter Thirty-four
Chapter Thirty-five
Chapter Thirty-six
Chapter Thirty-seven
Chapter Thirty-eight
Chapter Thirty-nine
Chapter Forty
Chapter Forty-one
Chapter Forty-two
Chapter Forty-three
Chapter Forty-four
Chapter Forty-five
Chapter Forty-six
Chapter Forty-seven
Chapter Forty-eight
Chapter Forty-nine
Chapter Fifty
Chapter Fifty-one
Chapter Fifty-two
Author’s Note
Thank you for reading
About the Author
Also by Valerie Bowman
Praise for these other novels
Copyright
This is a work of fiction. All of the characters, organizations, and events portrayed in this novel are either products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously.
THE IRRESISTIBLE ROGUE
Copyright © 2015 by June Third Enterprises LLC.
All rights reserved.
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eISBN: 978-1-4668-8439-7
St. Martin’s Paperbacks edition / November 2015
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The Irresistible Rogue Page 27