Romancing The Rogue (The Rogue Chronicles Book 1)

by Lana Williams

  Their efforts were enough of a distraction that Wayfair bobbled the weapon. Richard rushed toward him, the jeweled dagger in hand. Wayfair squeezed the trigger, the barrel wobbling as Richard reached him. The gun misfired with an odd-sounding pop, but the dagger Richard wielded pierced Wayfair between the ribs.

  Caroline shook off Wayfair’s arm to rush to Richard’s side and Annabelle joined her.

  Wayfair dropped the pistol and sank to the floor with a moan, both hands clasping the handle of the knife protruding from his body.

  As if he’d heard the commotion, the butler opened the door, his gaze scanning the room. “Is all well, my lord?”

  “Send one of the footmen for a constable,” Richard ordered as he retrieved the pistol and set it on his desk. “And another in here to guard this man.”

  The butler left to do his bidding as Wayfair shifted on the floor in pain, a blood spreading on his jacket. “Blast you, Aberland.”

  Richard ignored him to draw Caroline into his arms and hold her tight. “Are you all right?”

  She nodded and looked over her shoulder to Annabelle, who nodded as well. Both sisters kept their distance from Wayfair as a footman hurried in to stand over Wayfair.

  Richard feared his aim hadn’t been true and the wound wouldn’t prove to be fatal. He could hardly believe after all his searching for Dumond’s killer that his quest was over. Revenge hadn’t turned out as he’d expected, but life was often full of twists and turns one never expected.

  Richard eased both ladies to the opposite side of the desk away from Wayfair. “Your performances were perfectly timed, ladies. You were both amazing.”

  Caroline shared a look with her sister. “Striking him with the vase was quick thinking, Annabelle.”

  “I give credit to my research of late. It’s good to know such an action would work.”

  Richard frowned, uncertain what she meant though Caroline smiled with understanding. He shifted to fully face Caroline, blocking her view of Wayfair. Desperation filled him as he wondered how to convince her of his love. “I’m so sorry, my dear. I didn’t mean any of those things I said at the musicale.” He cupped her cheek, needing to touch her as much as he needed to breathe.

  “I know.” Her warm eyes were filled with understanding as she tilted her head into his hand. “I realized that this morning.”

  “How?”

  “When you spoke to me at the musicale, I could see the truth in your eyes. But it took the sheep painting’s arrival to make me realize it.”

  Richard shook his head. “I should’ve known you would unravel the truth without my explanation.”

  She shifted to look past Richard to Wayfair, where he remained lying on the floor, his face etched with pain. “I still don’t understand why he threatened to tell everyone about Father.”

  “Because he wanted your father’s shipyard. I believe he’s bought several over the past few years under various company names and is either using the ships to supply Bonaparte or declaring them lost at sea to collect the insurance money.” He glanced at Wayfair. “Isn’t that right?”

  Wayfair said nothing, his focus on the knife, until the footman nudged him with his toe. “His lordship asked you a question.”

  The duke’s grunt made Richard smile grimly. “He also killed a friend of mine nearly a year ago with that very same knife. Didn’t you?”

  Wayfair’s gaze lifted to meet Richard’s, defiance still in the depths of his pale blue eyes.

  “How did you convince Maria to betray us?”

  The injured man hesitated as if deciding whether speaking would cause him further harm. “I threatened to murder her parents.” His smirk had Richard stiffening, prepared to remove it from his face.

  A second footman appeared in the doorway. “Shall we take him into the scullery until the constable arrives?”

  “That’s the perfect place for him.” Though part of him was disappointed he hadn’t killed Wayfair, Richard didn’t want Caroline to see the side of him that was capable of such violence.

  “I’ll advise our driver that we’ll be a few more minutes,” Annabelle said with a smile after the footmen hauled Wayfair out of the room.

  Richard breathed a sigh of deep gratitude. Justice had been served, and with luck, the lady in his arms would agree to be his wife. How could he ask for more?

  “Caroline,” he said as he faced her and dropped to one knee. “Would you do me the honor of becoming my wife?”

  The joyful surprise in her eyes stole his breath. “I never called off the betrothal.”

  “I’m grateful you didn’t. But we’re starting anew, without the secrets and deception. Will you marry me?”

  Caroline chuckled. “In that case, my answer is yes. I would love to.”

  “I’ll obtain a special license so we can marry as soon as possible.” He rose to take her into his arms, kissing her long and deep, releasing all the fear and worry that had consumed him for the past several days.

  Then he drew back to smooth a strand of blonde hair from her face. “We’ll have a true wedding. No more pretending.”

  “No more pretending,” she repeated with a grin. “But you don’t need to pay for a special license. That would be far too expensive. We can wait until—”

  “We aren’t going to wait a moment longer than necessary for you to become my wife. My lack of finances was one more ruse. I have more than enough money for the rest of our lives. You and your family will never have to worry again.”

  “Richard.” Emotion swirled in her eyes as she kissed him.

  “I love you so very much,” he whispered when she drew back.

  “And I love you.”

  Epilogue

  Caroline tapped her toe to the music at the Feinwork ball, waiting with as much patience as she could muster for Richard’s arrival. Three days had passed since Wayfair, wounded and defeated, had been hauled away from Richard’s home. She hadn’t seen Richard since as he’d been busy seeing to the details of the situation.

  The crowd this evening was abuzz with Wayfair’s fall from grace. The Prince Regent himself had been shocked and horrified at Wayfair’s support of Bonaparte. Thus far, Richard’s name had not been linked to Wayfair’s capture.

  Though Richard had yet to explain how he’d come to the realization that Wayfair was the famous French spy, Le Sournois, Caroline had a guess. When she’d added up all the details since she and Richard had become betrothed, she determined he worked for the Crown.

  She couldn’t be more proud of him. She knew she couldn’t tell anyone, including her family, of his work, but it was enough that she knew. Rather, her knowing would have to be enough, despite the fact that she was bursting at the seams to tell someone of how brilliant and incredible her soon-to-be husband was.

  “Good evening.”

  Caroline turned at the male voice to find Daniel, Richard’s brother, approach. “How good to see you.”

  “And you. I hope the evening finds you well.”

  “It finds me very well.” She couldn’t stop the smile that spread over her face.

  “Planning a wedding must agree with you.”

  “Yes. I’m very happy. Your brother is a very special man.”

  Daniel chuckled at her enthusiasm. “He is indeed. There he is now.”

  “My ears were burning,” Richard said as he greeted them both. “I assume the two of you were the cause.” Before either of them had a chance to answer, Richard brought Caroline’s gloved hand to his lips, holding it there for a long moment while he gazed into her eyes.

  “I’ve missed you,” she whispered.

  “And I you.”

  The heat in his eyes made her breathless, as did the gentle pressure of his fingers on her hand. The sensation made her feel as if he never intended to let her go.

  “Need I remind you that you’re standing before a large crowd whose attention seems to be riveted on the pair of you? Especially Lady Mintford. Her glare is positively glacial.” Daniel waited a mome
nt but when neither of them responded, he clasped his hands before him, as though resigned to waiting for them to finish.

  “Forgive me, Daniel, but it’s been several days since I’ve seen Caroline.”

  “I hope matters are...resolved to your satisfaction,” Caroline said, watching closely for his reaction. She didn’t know if Daniel knew of Richard’s work, but she dearly wanted to know what had happened.

  “Indeed. Tightly locked away in the Tower. Now I intend to focus my attention on my betrothed and our upcoming marriage. Are you certain you don’t want a special license?”

  “Giving my father a little more time to come to know you and become accustomed to the idea of me leaving home will make things easier for my family.”

  “As you wish. But I cannot promise to wait patiently.”

  Tingles swirled through Caroline and heat filled her cheeks at the thought of all his intensity directed at her. Out of the corner of her eye, she noted Daniel stepping away. What a thoughtful man. She was going to enjoy having a brother like him.

  “Have I told you how much I love you?” Richard whispered.

  “Yes, but you can tell me again.” Her heart spun in her chest when he drew her closer, her hand still in his, their bodies only a breath apart.

  “I love you.” The depths of his eyes were clear from shadows for the first time since she’d met him, leaving the light of love to shine through.

  “Excellent, because I love you as well. We’re going to have a very good life together.”

  “Yes, we are. I promise with all my heart.”

  “I’m sorry I can’t promise the same,” she said with a mock frown.

  “Why?” He sounded rather astounded at her refusal.

  “Because a very special rogue already has my heart.”

  He drew a deep breath. “I will cherish it always.”

  “As I will cherish yours. Forever and always.”

  ###

  Look for the next story in the Rogue Chronicles, A ROGUE’S REPUTATION, available for preorder on July 17, 2019 in WINTER WISHES, a special collection of new Regency Christmas Novellas sure to warm your heart.

  Would you like to read a special bonus epilogue of ROMANCING THE ROGUE? Click here to join my VIP Readers to receive it along with monthly updates on sales, new releases, and more! Already a subscriber? Excellent - click here and enter your email address to receive the bonus epilogue. You won’t be re-subscribed.

  Other Books By Lana Williams

  Regency Romances

  The Rogue Chronicles

  Romancing the Rogue, Book 1

  A Rogue’s Reputation, a Christmas Novella, Available for PreOrder July 17 in the Winter Wishes anthology

  Victorian Romances

  The Seven Curses of London Series:

  Trusting the Wolfe, a Novella, Book .5

  Loving the Hawke, Book I

  Charming the Scholar, Book II

  Rescuing the Earl, Book III

  Dancing Under the Mistletoe, a Christmas Novella, Book IV

  Tempting the Scoundrel, a Novella, Book V

  Falling For the Viscount, Book VI

  Daring the Duke, Book VI

  Wishing Upon A Christmas Star, a Novella, Book VII

  Ruby’s Gamble, a Novella

  Gambling for the Governess, Book VIII, Coming Soon

  The Secret Trilogy:

  Unraveling Secrets, Book I

  Passionate Secrets, Book II

  Shattered Secrets, Book III

  Medieval Romances:

  Falling for A Knight Series:

  A Knight’s Christmas Wish, Novella, Book .5

  A Knight’s Quest, Book 1

  A Knight’s Temptation, Book 2

  A Knight’s Captive, Book 3

  The Vengeance Trilogy:

  A Vow To Keep, Book I

  A Knight’s Kiss, Novella, Book 1.5

  Trust In Me, Book II

  Believe In Me, Book III

  Contemporary Romances:

  Yours for the Weekend, a Novella

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  About the Author

  Lana Williams is a USA Today Bestselling and Amazon All-Star author who writes historical romance filled with mystery, adventure, and sometimes a pinch of paranormal to stir things up. Filled with a love of books from an early age, Lana put pen to paper and decided happy endings were a must in any story she created.

  Her latest series is The Seven Curses of London, set in Victorian times, and shares stories of men and women who attempt to battle the ills of London, and the love they find along the way that truly gives them something worth fighting for.

  Her first medieval trilogy is set in England and follows heroes seeking vengeance only to find love when they least expect it. The second trilogy begins on the Scottish border and follows the second generation of the de Bremont family.

  The Secret Trilogy, which shares stories set in Victorian London, follows three lords injured in an electromagnetic experiment that went terribly wrong and the women who help heal them through the power of love.

  She writes in the Rocky Mountains with her husband, two growing sons, and two labs, and loves hearing from readers.

  Lana loves hearing from readers! Stop by her website and say hello! You can also connect with her on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.

  Copyright © 2017 by Lana Williams

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