Every Rogue's Heart

by Dawn Brower

  “That’s so sad,” she said. Now she wished she hadn’t asked. It was rather tragic that Sebastian’s mother never had the joy of watching him grow. And poor Sebastian—he desperately wanted a mother and might never have one. “I’m sorry I made you talk about it.”

  “It’s all right,” he said austerely. “I said there would be no more secrets between us, and I meant it. You can ask me anything, and I’ll do my best to explain it.”

  Something significant had changed between them. His words meant more than he was saying. He trusted her with all his secrets. This man was shrouded in them, and it was an enormous thing he was presenting her with. His life was in her hands, and she could do anything with it she pleased.

  Her smile wobbled as she met his gaze. Tears were threatening to fall, but she managed to hold them back. The wave of emotions that washed over her were overwhelming. She loved this man more than she’d ever believed possible. “Ditto,” she replied. “I like this no secrets thing.” Though she kept one close to her heart. She wasn’t ready to say she loved him aloud. The time wasn’t right—yet.

  “Come here, pretty lady,” he said as he pulled her close. “Tomorrow we’re going to talk more, and you’re going to introduce me to your relation formally.” He kissed her jaw and then her lips. “Then we’re going to handle this mess in Swinton.” He pressed his lips to her ear. “And later, when everything is settled, you’re going to marry me for real.”

  Her heart skipped a beat at his words. Of course her duke would fail to actually ask her if she wanted to marry him. When he brought it up again, she’d make sure he realized the error of his ways. He must love her, or he wouldn’t insist on a wedding. That didn’t mean she didn’t want the words and promises spoken aloud. She certainly hoped he wasn’t being old-fashioned and thought sex meant he had to marry her. If so, she’d knee him in the balls. She wanted love or nothing at all. She didn’t want a man who’d believed compromising her virtue meant they were stuck together forever.

  “If I could give you one thing,” she said. “I’d let you see you the way I do. The way you glow…” Her voice trailed off. He was missing so much that would simply amaze him. She adored the way he loved her.

  He chuckled. “I’ll take your word for it.” Brandon lifted her and set her over his cock. “Now, you promised you’d ride me. Show me how skilled you are, my dear.”

  She didn’t need to be told twice. Serenity lifted her hips and then pressed back down. He felt so damn good inside of her. This was something she’d never tire of. He closed his eyes and moaned loudly. She repeated the action over and over again until she was breathless from the exertion. He opened his eyes and wrapped his large hands around her hips, then helped her quicken the pace. His hips moved under hers until they were both rocking back and forth on the precipice of exploding.

  “So good,” he groaned out.

  Serenity clenched her inner muscles and was rewarded with his moans. He paid her in kind by rubbing her clit and she was the one filling the room with her sounds of pleasure. When she climaxed, the room spun and she couldn’t stay upright. He caught her as he fell into bliss with her. They rolled to their sides, holding on to each other tightly.

  In some ways, she couldn’t tell where she ended and he began. She did know one thing for certain. Loving him was the best thing that had ever happened to her, and she couldn’t be more grateful fate had led her to him. As long as she had him, she’d never be alone again. She’d finally found where she belonged and nothing or no one would take that away from her.

  Chapter 9

  Brandon woke and reached for Serenity. He hadn’t slept that hard or soundly in his life. He sat up abruptly when she wasn’t anywhere to be found. He searched the room and it was completely empty. Where could she have gone off to? He swung his legs over the side of the bed and dressed as quickly as possible. Wherever she’d taken herself to, he’d find her. He didn’t like the idea of her being off on her own. She might be an independent woman from the future, but she was still prey to the lesser parts of society. The brigands and thieves would think nothing of stealing from her or worse.

  He rushed down to the common area of the inn. It was quiet, which wasn’t much of a surprise. At this time of day people were either still sleeping or already on the next leg of their journey. The sun had barely risen in the sky and breakfast wasn’t even being served. The tavern part of the Stallion and Snapdragon was closed until afternoon. The ladies’ side had a few women sitting down for tea and a light repast. Serenity wasn’t one of them. Brandon wasn’t the sort to panic normally, but if she didn’t appear before him soon, he might give into the urge.

  “Your Grace,” the owner of the inn said as he approached. “We didn’t expect you to wake for a while yet. Your wife has been keeping mine company for an hour now.”

  Thank God. “Bogsworth, it’s good to see you,” he said. “Could you direct me to where I might find her?

  “She’s in the back garden with the misses and the other lady.”

  The other lady could very well be Miss Byrne. Brandon nodded at Bogsworth and headed in the path as directed. He was anxious to see Serenity. When they were alone, he’d spank her for her impertinence. How dare she leave their bed without alerting him to it. If she’d mentioned it… Hell, who was he kidding. He’d have made love to her again and they’d both still be there. If she wanted to leave it, silently was her only option. Though that begged the question why she’d want to do so. There was supposed to be no secrets between them any longer. That was the whole point of bearing their souls to each other through the night.

  He found them exactly where Bogsworth indicated. Though the innkeeper’s wife was nowhere to be found, Serenity and Aubriella were deep in conversation and didn’t notice him. Slowly, he walked over to their side while neither one of them glanced up.

  “No,” Aubriella said. “It’s not like that.”

  “I’m sure it isn’t,” Serenity said. “It never is.”

  Aubriella crossed her arms across her chest and stared at Serenity mulishly. “Have I ever told you I hate you?”

  “Only a thousand times,” Serenity deadpanned. “No need to elaborate now.”

  Brandon’s lips twitched as he listened to them. They certainly argued like they were sisters. He cleared his throat, gathering their attention. “I hate to interrupt,” he paused. “No, I actually mean to do just that.” Brandon glanced at Serenity. “Care to make the introductions?”

  She lifted a brow. “You have no patience, do you?”

  “Not when I wake up alone,” he said. “I had plans and you ruined them.”

  “Oh?” The corner of her mouth twitched upward. She seemed to be fighting a smile. “Fascinating…”

  He wanted to pull her into his arms and kiss her senseless. If her stepsister wasn’t watching them with interest, he might have given into the urge. He could restrain himself a little while longer.

  “If you two are done flirting,” Aubriella said, “I have more important things to see to.”

  “Miss Byrne,” Brandon said, stopping her from leaving.

  “Doctor,” she replied.

  What the hell did she say? He was a little unnerved by her if he was being honest with himself. She had an ethereal quality to her. Actually looking at her, he could see why Killian thought she was fragile. Something about her made him want to wrap her up and make sure she was taken care of.

  “Not you too,” Serenity said irritated. “Don’t stare at her that way.”

  He frowned. “I don’t know what you mean.”

  Aubriella laughed. “He managed to shake it off,” she told Serenity. “Only a man truly in love can do that.” She held her hand out to him. “I’m Dr. Aubriella Byrne.”

  That was what she’d said earlier. He’d referred to her as Miss and she’d corrected him. Apparently that was a common occurrence in the future. Women had no trouble becoming doctors. The Duke of Weston’s wife, Alys, was a medical doctor, but she didn’t make a h
abit of making people aware of that fact. Brandon kept tabs on Weston because of his former agent, Dominic Rossington.

  “Right,” he said. “What kind of doctor are you?”

  He had to ask. There apparently were different kinds in the future, and he didn’t want to make assumptions. Especially not with a relation of his future wife. He fully intended to marry Serenity as soon as he possibly could. He refused to let her go.

  “Nothing that would be of any use to you,” she grumbled.

  “Don’t be so fast to assume,” Serenity replied. “He’s here for the same reason you are.”

  She lifted a brow. “Not the massacre…”

  What bloody massacre? They were talking over his head again. What did the two of them know that he didn’t? He was supposed to be the premier spy, and these two were scheming under his nose. That settled it, he was losing his touch, and it was all Serenity’s fault.

  “He didn’t know that part, you fool,” Serenity hissed. “You of all people must realize we can’t mess with history.”

  Brandon was ready to strangle both of them. “Start talking now,” he demanded.

  Aubriella sighed. “She’s right. I can’t tell you everything and neither can she. You might feel compelled to stop it, and it has to happen.”

  The more they talked, the more irritated he was becoming. He hated when people withheld information from him. Nothing wound him up faster and made him want to pummel something. He couldn’t very well hit a lady though, so he clenched his fists at his side and refrained from punching anything. It was a hard-fought, internal battle, but he ultimately won in the end. He turned toward Serenity and said, “What happened to no secrets between us.”

  “This isn’t the same thing,” she said. “It’s not my secret to tell, and it really will be what brings your country down the path it is supposed to head in. Even if I wasn’t here, or if Aubriella didn’t study history until she knew every last detail, it would happen. This isn’t something we did or will do. Knowledge of events from the past doesn’t give us the right to alter them, and in this case allowing them to happen will lead England down a path it must go.”

  He was sick and tired of hearing that. In the twenty-first century, he’d long since stopped breathing, and this all might be history to them, but it was his present. If she hadn’t followed Trenton Quinn back in time, he’d never have met her. She wouldn’t have given him something to live for. He’d thought he didn’t have a heart once? Well, wasn’t it a surprise to realize it was because somehow he’d already given it to her. She owned him body and soul, and a part of him hated her for it. Because now every part of him was on the brink of ruin.

  “That’s nonsense,” he said. “If you trusted me, you’d tell me and let me decide for myself.”

  “It’s not that simple,” Aubriella said. “What if we told you and we changed history for the worse.”

  “What if it was for the better,” he countered. “Tell me what you know.”

  Serenity blew out a breath. “It doesn’t matter now. He doesn’t have the means of arriving at St. Peter’s field in time to stop it. What’s going to happen still will. Tell him everything.”

  Aubriella frowned. “There is a gathering today. On August 16, 1819, today if you will, they hope to meet peacefully. There is a faction that doesn’t believe that is possible and make an effort to curb the masses. They panic and people lost, or will lose, their lives—even more are injured. When the clock strikes two it will be over.”

  “Why wouldn’t you tell me this?” He spun to meet Serenity’s gaze. He was horrified she’d kept this to herself. He could have done something to stop the tragedy from happening. “Why would you willingly let people die if you could prevent it?”

  She chewed on her lip. “I hate that people have to die. History is filled with people that do for no reason. Am I to travel everywhere and stop it all? Is that even possible?”

  “No,” he said. “Don’t be ridiculous. You’re not responsible for the lives of everyone throughout history.” Why did she have to be so damn reasonable? He couldn’t argue with her when she had a valid point. He hated it, but he had to look at it from her position.

  “Exactly,” she said. “This happened before I was even born. I had nothing to do with it. The only thing I’m responsible for is myself and the actions I take. You look at it as doing nothing, but look at it from my perspective.” She crossed over to him and placed her hand on his cheek. “I have to live with this knowledge every day. Sadly, a lot of people die throughout history. We can’t stop it all from happening and you shouldn’t expect us to.” Serenity threw her hands up in the air and paced back and forth. She stopped and faced him. “Because, otherwise, the future of my family and those I care about might be irrevocably altered. There’s always the chance that stopping something now will prevent me from ever being born.” She paused and nibbled on her bottom lip and then explained, “There is a butterfly effect and nothing goes untouched. My being here could change things in ways none of us could ever imagine.”

  He hadn’t considered that side of things. He was being a selfish ass, but it was hard knowing people would die and they couldn’t do anything to stop it. Even understanding all of what she said, he wanted to rush to stop the massacre from happening. It was difficult for him to stand there helpless. How could they stand knowing so much without going insane? “Is this why you wanted me to stay at Branterberry?”

  “Yes,” she replied. “I honestly didn’t know Brie was here. She’s been stalling Thornbury for days. He was hoping to go in support of the changes the working class want. She’s been doing the damsel in distress act to slow him.”

  “I can’t help people see me as fragile,” she said. “I use the gifts I was born with however I need to.” What exactly were her gifts? He frowned and shook the thought away. It was perhaps best he didn’t know. He sympathized with Killian though. It sounded as if she was leading him on a merry chase.

  “Quit projecting feelings on me,” Serenity told her in annoyance. “I don’t need an amplification.”

  Brandon had no idea what Serenity was talking about. He pushed his eyebrows together and stared at her. “What?”

  “She’s an empath,” Serenity explained as she motioned toward Aubriella. “And a nuisance.”

  Ah… That actually made sense. Aubriella read emotions the way Serenity did auras. Spending time with the two of them made him appreciate his plebian status. He’d hate to live with any kind of psychic ability.

  Aubriella blew her a kiss. “But you love me.”

  Serenity laughed. “I’m starting to like you. Don’t push it.”

  Brandon wrapped his arms around Serenity. “Invite her to our wedding.”

  He couldn’t wait to marry her and live the rest of his life with her by his side. She gave him something he’d never thought to have—love and happiness. He kissed her forehead and failed to notice her bewilderment.

  “Oh,” Aubriella clapped her hands. “I do love a wedding. When is the big day?”

  Serenity pushed Brandon away. “Never, since I haven’t been asked.”

  She stormed away, leaving Brandon stunned. What the hell had gone wrong? He thought they were on the same page. He mentioned marriage last night… Brandon blinked several times, and as his mind cleared, he realized his mistake. He’d ordered her to marry him. He was a bloody idiot. Of course she’d be mad at him. He’d assumed she wanted to marry him and forged ahead without asking her what she wanted. What if she didn’t want to be his wife? God, he hoped she didn’t plan on leaving him. The idea—terrified him. He had no idea how to chase after her through time. What would he do if she decided to go back to the twenty-first century? How would he live without her? He had to go find her and make this right before it was too late.

  He turned toward Aubriella and asked, “How do I fix this?”

  His soon to be sister-in-law grinned. “Grovel. You done fucked up.”

  He’d never get used to the way they talked. Ev
e had said strange things all the time, so adapt to Serenity too much, but they all had unique phrases they’d spout that would throw him off from time to time. Maybe after a while he’d become more accustomed to it.

  Brandon nodded. “I’m going to do just that. Do me a favor and don’t disappear yet. I do want to make sure you attend our wedding.”

  With those words, he stalked after the love of his life. He was prepared to do whatever was necessary to make her realize how much she meant to him.

  Serenity stormed into the room she shared with Brandon. How could he have not realized he was being so damn selfish? Ohhh—she wanted to hit something. If she didn’t love the jerk, she’d hit him. Heck, maybe she still would when she saw him next. She picked up a vase and threw it across the room. It splintered into thousands of pieces on impact.

  A whistle echoed through the room. She spun on her heels and met Brandon’s gaze. He slowly shut the door behind him and approached her cautiously. “I’m sorry,” he said. “I should have asked if you wanted to marry me. I assumed, and I shouldn’t have.”

  That was a nice start but she wasn’t ready to forgive him. That was not the only thing he’d been wrong about. He’d assumed she was heartless and wanted people to die because she didn’t tell him about the massacre at St. Peter’s field. It killed her on the inside that there were people there probably even now getting hurt.

  “Not good enough,” she said angrily. “Do you think pretty words make everything all better?”

  “Even if I give you all my love, it would never be enough,” he said quietly. “I’m only human and I make mistakes, but I refuse to give up on us. I love you, and I can’t imagine my life without you.”

  Her heart melted at his words. Maybe she could lighten up a little bit. She did love him too… “I never believed I’d marry anyone.”

  His face fell a little at her words. “You don’t want to marry me?”

  That was the thing. She’d come so far with him. He made her different—better even. “I’m not ready to give up on us, but maybe it is for the best,” she said quietly.