Dashing Rogues: A Historical Romance Collection

by Dawn Brower, Amanda Mariel

  Dom leaned forward and asked, “What is it?”

  “It’s rumors and speculation at this juncture, but as we both know sometimes there is a whiff of truth to be found in those whispers.” The duke sighed. “I’d rather not ignore it and regret it later.”

  Dom agreed with him on that. It was better to investigate and find naught than to pretend it was insignificant. Something of that nature could result in bloodshed or an economic collapse they’d never recover from. Even if it was small they couldn’t afford to sit idly by while someone attempted to undermine their king and country. “What do you require from me? Tell me what these whispers are.”

  “When is the last time you visited the Duke of Weston?”

  Dom blanched at his words. It had been a while since he’d been to Kent and visited his friend. It hurt him too much to be around him. It wasn’t anything James had done—more Dom’s own feelings of inadequacy. James had everything Dom didn’t believe he deserved. When he married and started a family it had changed the dynamic of their relationship. Dom was perpetually single and had no plans to change it. Even if his mother harassed him on a regular basis, in his mind he had plenty of time to marry and sire a child to inherit the Seabrook title. It was recently that he’d begun to question why he waited.

  “I saw him several months past.” It was a chance meeting in town. James had come in for some business matter but hadn’t stayed long. They had a drink together to celebrate his upcoming fatherhood—again. He already had a daughter and hoped this time to have a son. Weston hadn’t stayed long—he didn’t like leaving his family. The man adored his wife, Alys, and suffered separation anxiety. “He doesn’t often come to town.”

  “But you’re still in contact with him?”

  What did this have to do with James? Dom was instantly on alert. He should have been immediately after the duke inquired about his relationship. Surely he didn’t believe James would have anything to do with smuggling Napoleon off of St. Helena. James had taken a saber to the gut and carried the scars of battle with him. Waterloo had almost ended his life, and James wouldn’t take lightly the accusation he was a traitor. He had to do everything he could to protect his friend. He’d failed him once with Edward’s death, and Dom refused to do so again.

  “What is this about?” Dom’s jaw hardened. “James is one of the best men I know, and yes we still keep in contact.”

  The Duke of Branterberry nodded. “Good. I need you to go to his estate and keep an eye on things.”

  Dom raised a brow. “What exactly am I to keep a look out for?”

  The longer he sat without answers the more surly Dom was becoming. He didn’t like the way the conversation was going and had no clue how to handle it properly.

  “Don’t worry about your friend,” the duke said, and then paused briefly. “He isn’t a traitor, but someone on his estate is. There is information being smuggled out and across to France. I don’t know what is going on, only that there is a ring running in full force there.”

  A band had operated there in the past. Dom had witnessed it when he visited after James’s return from Waterloo. After James was shot by smugglers, Dom took care of them—or at least he thought he had. Alys handled removing the bullet and seeing to James’s medical care. Dom took care of the rest, and had done it without complaint. He’d considered his duty complete, but now it appeared as if he’d been wrong or foolish in believing that the end of the situation.

  “I see.”

  “I thought you might. You have the best reason for being in the area. Your estate isn’t too far from Weston Manor. You can visit for a while, investigate, and handle the matter before returning home.”

  Dom’s mouth twitched. “I didn’t realize I was going to return to Seabrook for any amount of time.”

  The duke smiled. “Don’t you think you should? I’m not young or stupid. I know you want to stop this life style and go home. Do this one last assignment for me and then you can. I won’t fight you on it.”

  It was the last thing he expected the Duke of Branterberry to say. Dom thought he’d hidden his feelings well. How wrong he’d been… Though, to be fair, the duke wasn’t the usual sort and saw far more than the average person. It shouldn’t have surprised him he’d uncovered Dom’s secret desires. Although the duke didn’t know his biggest secret, the one thing—no, the one person—he craved above all. Did he dare claim her? His life was dangerous and he’d not have her in harm’s way for anything. Maybe after he was fully un-entangled from the war office he could. The problem was he didn’t think he could wait until he was fully decommissioned. His desire for her was too strong.

  He hated hurting her and pushing her away. His life was rife with danger, and he shouldn’t bring her anywhere near it. That was the main reason he’d pushed her away so many years ago. She deserved better than he could offer, but if he could free himself from his obligations to the crown… That changed everything. He’d carefully crafted his reputation so no one expected him to marry. That way, if his status as an agent were ever to be found out, no one would be harmed because of him. It didn’t make his feelings go away though. He’d always wanted Rosanna, but didn’t believe he could ever have her.

  Dom tapped his fingers on the arm of his chair and considered the duke’s words in silence. He would be free, but the price was he had to invite himself to stay at Weston Manor until he closed the case. The duke didn’t know what he was asking of him. She was there—and still unwed. The mourning period after Edward’s death should have stalled the inevitable, but now three years later… She should have married.

  Why is she still not married? Were these young lords all nitwits and unable to see the diamond they had in front of their eyes? But he could claim her, and he would, once this last mission was completed. The duke had given him the one thing he didn’t think he’d ever be able to attain. He’d be a fool not to take it and run. Dom shook his thoughts away. Their loss would be his gain. But first he had to take care of a few things. Like unraveling a smuggling ring and ending it once and for all.

  “I’m not going to admit or deny anything,” Dom said carefully. “But I will take on this assignment and pay a call on my good friend. As luck would have it, if my calculations are correct—I believe his wife is due to give birth soon. I’m sure James would appreciate the company.”

  “Good,” the duke said. “Then it should be fairly easy for you to stay for an extended period of time.”

  James would never turn him away. They’d been the best of friend since the early days at Eton. The Duke of Branterberry realized fully what he was asking of him, and that he was the only one of his operatives who could handle the situation. He would, and could, visit Weston Manor for any length of time. The problem would be Rosanna. The last time he’d seen her she’d been a veritable harpy. His fault of course—he encouraged her to let her claws out. When she drew blood though… Sometimes he wondered if he’d survive her thorny nature.

  “I can leave on the morrow,” Dom said. “I will report when I know more.”

  He hoped he could wrap it up rather quickly. As much as he adored Rosanna he didn’t trust himself in her company for long. She was the one woman he’d always wanted, but refused to have. He’d always believed she deserved more than him. She should have married someone more worthy of her. She hadn’t, and that meant she was his for the taking. Once the assignment was over, he’d make plans to woo and win her. It would be no easy task because, unfortunately, Rosanna hated him; something he thought was best when he’d cultivated it. Now though, he wished he would have handled her fledgling emotions with better care. If he’d seen a way out he’d never have treated her so haphazardly.

  “Perfect,” the duke said. “Keep me updated on your progress.”

  “What if there isn’t much to report?” Dom asked.

  The duke leaned back further in his chair. “Give me a report in a sennight regardless of information. I want to know what you find, even if it’s the most minute detail. That way
if you fail to report in I’ll know if something untoward may have happened to you.”

  Dominic understood his reasoning. It was what made him the perfect person to head up the war department. He made sure he was aware of what all his operatives were doing at any given moment. “I’ll make sure you hear from me by the end of the week.”

  “I hope you end this swiftly,” the duke said. “I’ll miss having you around. I also realize you have a duty to your title. Not too many lords working for me, and I admit I was pleasantly surprised at how you adapted to the field. There’s no one quite like you, and you will be rather hard to replace.” The duke paused a moment before speaking again. “Don’t let anyone stand in the way of your happiness. You deserve to find some after all you’ve done for king and country.”

  Dominic wasn’t so sure about his assessment, but he knew what he wanted. Lady Rosanna Kendall was everything good in the world, while he, Lord Dominic Rossington, the Marquess of Seabrook, was the complete opposite. Maybe she would make him better. He wasn’t sure one way or the other. Dom did want her, and after he finished this last assignment—he’d do everything in his power to make her his.

  He nodded at the duke and left the room. There was much to be done if he were to journey to Weston Manor the next day. James would be surprised to see him, and Dom had to admit to himself he was rather glad to have the opportunity to spend some time with his friend. He missed him. His best friend might not be so happy to see him once he realized how much Dom lusted after his sister. James had bricks he called fists. Dom feared at some point he might use them on his face, and he’d hate to allow his friend the opportunity to mark up perfection.

  Oh, but it would be worth it in the end…

  CHAPTER 2

  ROSANNA SAT in the window seat of the library and stared out across the cliffs. Sunlight poured through the windowpanes and filled the room with warmth. She closed her eyes and her lips tilted up into a small smile. Voices echoed in the distance, her eyelids fluttered opened, and she twisted in their direction. She recognized her brother’s booming voice immediately. That was no surprise, as James had a tendency to bellow more than talk. The other person’s voice was a muffle though, and she couldn’t quite make it out.

  Who was James speaking with?

  Drat. She’d have to go investigate. Her curiosity might end up being her undoing. With care, she placed a bookmark on top of the page she’d finished reading, closed the novel, and set it on the seat where she could retrieve it later. Rosanna rushed out of the library and headed toward her brother’s voice.

  “I’m glad you’re here,” James said earnestly. “It’s been too long.”

  “You saw me a few months ago in town. It hasn’t been that long.”

  Rosanna stilled. She didn’t have to go any farther to find out who their visitor was. It was the last person she wanted to see or have anything to do with. Why did he have to come to Weston Manor? She fully realized that at one point in her life she’d have been ecstatic to find the Marquess of Seabrook visiting. After his scathing remark about her being the last lady he’d ever marry—she couldn’t look at him the same. The damn man was too handsome for his own good, and she couldn’t help how she reacted to him. To still the rush of her heart and the stirrings in her belly though, all she had to do was remember those harsh words and a coldness filled her heart. His unnecessary cruelty made her see him in a different light. He wasn’t the loyal trustworthy man she’d believed him to be. Instead, she finally saw him for what he was—what the ton had made him into—a selfish rake who sought his own pleasure and didn’t give a damn who he hurt in the process.

  She turned to leave, not wanting to have anything to do with the marquess. Rosanna couldn’t think of him in friendly terms any longer. For the unforeseeable future, formality would remain between them. He didn’t deserve any sort of congeniality from her. Lord Seabrook would be kept at a distance, even if a small part of her died inside each time she glanced his way. It was for the best. She deserved much better than the likes of him.

  “Rosanna,” James called.

  She sighed and shook her head. So much for escaping unnoticed… If she’d not been so curious she might have avoided this meeting. Lord Seabrook couldn’t be staying long. There wasn’t much to keep him entertained at Weston Manor, and with Alys at the end of her confinement they weren’t hosting regular visitors. He was probably stopping by on his way to his own estate. She could possibly be nice long enough to see him off, and then she could breathe a sigh of relief at the much needed distance she’d gain at the sight of his back leaving her home.

  She turned and said serenely, “Yes?”

  James strolled toward her with purpose. “I am in need of your assistance.”

  “What can I do for you?” She lifted a brow questioningly.

  It took everything she had in her to ignore Lord Seabrook. She could almost feel his gaze searching for hers. His body was entirely too close, and she could feel heat waves pouring off of him, but perhaps that was her over active imagination. He didn’t like her. They fought every time they found themselves in each other’s company after his scathing remarks. He couldn’t possibly want anything to do with her.

  “Alys is resting in the upstairs sitting room. She’s miserable and swears…” He shook his head. “Never mind what she’s saying, it isn’t fit for anyone’s ears and shouldn’t be repeated.” James waved a hand. “Dom arrived a few moments ago,” he gestured toward Lord Seabrook, “And I need to see to some matters on the estate. Can you inform Mrs. Cobblestone that a room needs to be prepared for an extended stay?”

  He isn’t leaving? Rosanna’s mouth fell open as James’s words hit her hard. But…he had to go. It’s what he did. “I don’t understand.” She turned her gaze toward Dom. “You’re not on your way to Seabrook?”

  His eyes lit up as he gazed lazily down at her. “James convinced me that I should visit for a while. I’m not in a hurry, and it would do me some good to rusticate in the country. I’ve missed my friend.”

  Could have fooled her—Lord Seabrook hadn’t bothered to pay them a real visit in several years. Not since James married Alys. Why was he really there? She narrowed her eyes and studied him. He was planning something. She’d bet every bit of her pin money he was up to no good. There was no real reason for him to be at Weston Manor, and she didn’t like that he was staying. It had nothing to do with the rapid beat of her heart and the heat spreading through her entire body. And maybe if she said that to herself enough she’d actually believe it…

  Rosanna chose to ignore him, or she did her best to try. He didn’t need to know how much his closeness still affected her. Instead of responding to Lord Seabrook, she turned to her brother and said, “I will speak with Mrs. Cobblestone immediately. Do you want me to sit with Alys?”

  James nodded. “I’m worried about her. I hate that I have to leave her now.”

  “Say no more. I’ll take my book up with me. Perhaps she would like to listen to me read while she rests.”

  Alys had an easier time while she carried her and James’s first child, Elizabeth, but this one—she grew more cantankerous with each passing day. She was also much larger this time around and could barely move. She’d confessed to Rosanna she suspected she carried two babies. Twins like Rosanna’s brothers—she couldn’t imagine what Alys was going through. She prayed she made it through the birth all right.

  “I’m not sure how receptive she’ll be, but I thank you for thinking of her.” James winced. “She’s so miserable and I wish I could do something—anything to make it better for her.”

  “She’ll be fine,” Rosanna reassured him. “Once the baby is born she’ll start to return to her old self.”

  Alys always spoke her mind, but she was usually more diplomatic with her choice in words. The past two months the phrases that spilled from her mouth left all of them befuddled. A lot of them had been unclear in meaning, but they could guess. None of them dared to ask her for clarify on any of them.
They didn’t dare spark any more of her ire.

  James nodded. “I must leave. Thank you for your assistance.”

  Rosanna smiled. “It’s my pleasure as always.” Her heart ached as she stared up at him. James had never wanted the title, but he’d grown into the duties and was making a fine duke. Sadness filled her heart when she thought of how he’d ended up with the dukedom. Edward had to die for James to become the Duke of Weston. Rosanna hadn’t agreed with a lot of Edward’s decisions, but she missed him every day. It hurt a little to look at James, knowing his twin would never walk into a room and speak to any of them again. She’d never quite gotten over his sudden death. The mourning period hadn’t been long enough, and she’d not wanted to enter society again. She’d done so because she hated to be a burden to James. He had his own family now, and she should seek her own out.

  The truth was none of the men who’d courted her made her feel even an inkling of what Lord Seabrook did. She was forever comparing them, most of the time unwittingly. The blasted man had marked her somehow, and she’d have to do whatever she could to forget him. The next season she’d find a man to marry and disregard the unwanted feelings she had for the marquess.

  James spun on his heels and left her alone with Lord Seabrook. She was rather surprised to find him still standing beside her. “You’re not going with James?”

  “No,” he shook his head. “I’m rather weary from my journey. I will visit with him in length later.”

  She was irked and didn’t quite know why. “Then I’d hate to tax you further. I’ll take your leave.” Rosanna curtsied quickly and turned to leave.

  “Don’t go,” he said quietly. “I’d hoped to speak with you.”

  As far as Rosanna was concerned they’d said all they needed to each other years ago. There was nothing he could possibly tell her that she’d want to hear. “I’m afraid I don’t have the time, my lord, perhaps later, if you’re still here.”