Dashing Rogues: A Historical Romance Collection

by Dawn Brower, Amanda Mariel

  Sarah met Mother’s gaze. “It would be an honor.”

  Mother handed Greta the jewels and watched with sparkling eyes as the ladies maid put them on Sarah. Greta straightened her posture before dropping into a curtsy. “My lady, is there anything else required of me?”

  “No.” Sarah nodded in dismissal before turning to Mother.

  Mother trailed her fingers across one of the plaits crowning Sarah’s head. “You are a vision, my dear.”

  For the first time today, she agreed with Mother. A shiver ran through her, but she could not identify whether it came from excitement or foreboding. “Thank you.”

  “Take a turn and let me see the full effect.”

  Sarah spun in a circle, then said. “Shall we?”

  “Indeed.” Mother turned for the door.

  Sarah walked beside her as they traversed the stairs and entered the foyer. A footman helped her into her black velvet cloak. Then she accepted Father’s arm, allowing him to guide her to their waiting carriage.

  Her chest constricted as she settled onto the forward-facing seat. Pray, do not let me be on a fool’s errand. She took a deep breath and steeled herself for the evening to come.

  CHAPTER 4

  JULIAN STOOD as if he were a statue carved from stone with his gaze trained on the entrance to the saloon. Elegant ladies and gentlemen surrounded him in a flurry of silks and satins. Their laughter and conversation permeated the air around him, but none of them interested him.

  Why had Lady Sarah yet to arrive? He stifled down a rush of impatience. She would not refuse his invitation. Would she?

  “Luvington, fancy running into you here.”

  Julian turned and smirked. “Shillington. Lady Jane” He nodded his head to the siblings.

  Lady Jane batted her lashes. “Good evening, Lord Luvington.”

  “Indeed.” Julian turned his attention back to the entrance. It would be if Lady Sarah were here. Damn and blast, would she ever arrive? His cravat seemed to squeeze his throat. He reached up to readjust it before returning his attention to the siblings.

  Lord Shillington patted his sister’s hand. “Lady Jane insisted on coming out tonight. It fell on me to provide an escort. What brings you to the opera? I have not seen you here this season.” He angled his head. “Nor last, come to think of it.”

  Julian snuck another glance at the entrance. “I hear tonight’s show is worth watching.”

  Lady Jane giggled. “It is all the ton talks about of late. By all accounts, it is marvelously entertaining.”

  Julian glance back at the entrance. Lady Sarah stepped into the room on her father’s arm. A grin broke out on his face. Draped in violet silk and lace, she was a vision. Amethysts sparkled from her earlobes, and one hung dangerously low to her décolletage, drawing his eye. He drank in the sight of her, luxuriating in everything from her fashionably styled hair to the sway of her skirts on the marble floor.

  Their gazes met for a moment, but then she turned to her father, effectively snubbing him. The little minx must be vexed. A small thing, considering she showed up. It would not take much to sway her in a more pleasing direction. At least he hoped it would not.

  Julian turned his attention back to the siblings. “If you will excuse me, my party has arrived.”

  “Yes, of course, enjoy the opera.” Lord Shillington nodded.

  “A pleasure, my lord.” Lady Jane said. She motioned toward the entrance with her fan then glanced at her brother. “Lady Sarah has arrived. Do let us greet her.”

  “Of course.” Shillington smiled at his sister before turning back to the marquess. “Enjoy your evening, Lord Luvington.”

  Splendid, the pair would be staying with him and encroaching on his time with her. Julian swallowed back his irritation. “As it happens the Havenshire’s are my guests.”

  “Let us walk together then, Lord Luvington.” Lady Jane took her brother’s arm.

  Julian studied Sarah as they approached. Her eyes shone a splendid violet shade, and the swell of her creamy breasts peeked out from the neckline of her gown. His insides twitched at the display. Would she allow him to hold her? To kiss her passionately? He swallowed hard knowing there would be none of that.

  The Marquess of Havenshire bowed as Julian approached. “Good evening, Lord Luvington.”

  “That it is.” Julian grinned. “I am honored you accepted my invitation.”

  “There is no place we would rather be.” The Marchioness of Havenshire smiled.

  Julian glanced at Lady Sarah. She stood to his left, deep in conversation with Lord Shillington and Lady Jane. A pang of something unwelcome hit him, and he frowned. He returned his attention to the Marquess and Marchioness of Havenshire. “Shall we move to my box? The opera will be underway shortly.”

  “Very good.” Lord Havenshire offered his arm to Lady Havenshire. “Sarah, come along.”

  Lady Sarah smiled at her father, then added one for Lady Jane. “It seems I must be going.” She glanced at Julian, pouting her full pink lips. “It is a pity we cannot enjoy the show together.” She tossed the words at him as she passed.

  Bloody hell, she clearly wished for him to invite Lady Jane and Lord Shillington to accompany them. How would he get any of her time? What choice did he have? Should he ignore her blatant request, she would be thoroughly vexed with him and the evening would be a total loss. He shifted his weight and glanced at Lord Shillington. “Would you and Lady Jane care to join us in my box?”

  “It would be an honor.” Lady Jane turned to her brother.

  “Yes, of course. We are happy to accept the invitation.”

  Lady Sarah smirked at Julian. “Splendid. Let us proceed to the box.”

  Julian gave her a rakish grin. “As you wish, my lady.” He winked then watched as a blush darkened her already pink cheeks. Had he ever seen a lovelier sight?

  Lady Sarah wrapped her hand around Lord Shillington’s offered arm. She smirked at Julian as Lady Jane took his. Her gloved hand held on tight. It seemed he would have no luck at all this evening. At least not in regards to Lady Sarah. Julian stared at Shillington, his insides burning.

  He had to remember, Lady Sarah and Shillington were no more than friends. Still, a wave of unpleasantness ran through him. The pair certainly appeared to be intimate at the moment. Lady Sarah stood a bit too close to Shillington and laughed as they walked.

  Jealousy? Julian forced the fool idea from his mind. Of course not. Irritation was the culprit. He merely wished to secure her hand, and, at the moment, Shillington was in his way. A situation he would soon correct.

  Having reached the box, he stopped and turned to his company. His gaze caught Lady Sarah’s, and he held out his arm, indicating the entrance. “Ladies first.”

  Once the ladies entered, the men would have to wait for him to go in before they could follow. It provided the perfect opportunity to separate Shillington from her.

  Lady Sarah tossed a glance his way and narrowed her eyes as she passed. After Lady Jane had filed in, he entered the box himself, followed by Lord Havenshire, then Shillington.

  Lady Sarah stood near the rail, the gas light illuminating her profile as she gazed down into the pit. His loins tightened, and he ached to touch her. He moved near the front of the box, stopping an arm’s length from her.

  Her scent captivated his senses and sent his imagination into overdrive. Thoughts of holding her, caressing her, painted his mind.

  Julian turned to the others before he lost his composure completley. “Please choose a seat and make yourselves comfortable.”

  Lord Havenshire sat down next to his wife. “Lord Shillington, will you not sit with us? You can catch me up on how my son fares. I have not had the opportunity to spend much time with him since his nuptials.”

  Lord Shillington ambled over, taking the open seat beside Lord Havenshire. “He fares exceedingly well. It seems marriage suits him.”

  Julian turned his attention to Lady Jane and indicated a chair. “This seat provide
s an excellent view of the show.”

  Lady Jane situated herself. “Thank you, Lord Luvington.”

  Now, only two seats remained. No matter which one Lady Sarah chose, she would be near him, and more importantly, separated from Shillington. Thank providence for small favors. Julian turned back to the little minx. “Lady Sarah, do have a seat.” He put on his best grin when she glanced his way.

  Her gaze smoldered. “I would rather stand. My legs require stretching after the carriage ride.”

  Stubborn, feisty, and beautiful, all qualities he admired. But damn, the chit made this difficult. He never designed to believe she would be easily won, but must she be so resistant to his charms?

  He stared up at the mural on the ceiling. Nothing he could do would cause her to sit if she did not wish to. Julian exhaled and snuck a glance at her. Perhaps a new approach.

  “Lady Havenshire, if it pleases you, you are welcome to come join Lady Jane in the front row. The view is much improved up here, and I would like to sit with the gentlemen.”

  “A splendid idea, thank you.” She stood.

  He moved to the back and claimed a spot with the other gentlemen. As it were, he would be directly behind Lady Sarah. Still close enough to interact should the opportunity arise. He watched her for a moment, then joined in the conversation Lord Havenshire and Lord Shillington engaged in.

  The limelights came on, illuminating the stage. Lady Sarah moved to the open seat as the theater fell silent. She stopped in front of it and looked at him for a moment before glancing at her father and Lord Shillington. Julian’s chest tightened when she offered them a breathtaking smile, then turned and took her seat, ignoring him.

  The minx was miffed indeed and intended to make him pay for it. He closed his eyes. She put him in mind of a wild filly, graceful but full of spunk at the same time. He did love a challenge.

  Julian’s attention roamed from the actors on stage to the alluring chit in front of him. What he would give to reach out and run his hand through her pale curls, down her back, and across her rounded bottom. He leaned forward and inhaled, his senses filling with her exotic scent.

  Lady Jane whispered something into Lady Sarah’s ear. When Lady Sarah turned to answer, she peeked at him from the corners of her striking eyes. He winked, then gloried in the sight of her blushing before she jerked her gaze back to her friend.

  Julian averted his attention to the stage as applause filled the space. Several actors stood in a line bowing. The limelights went dark before the plush velvet curtain closed for intermission.

  He pushed himself up to a standing position and stretched his legs, stiff from sitting. Perhaps Lady Sarah suffered in the same way. He leaned toward her. “I am badly in need of a stroll through the saloon. Would you like to join me, Lady Sarah?”

  She tipped her chin in his direction, her eyes widened. “I--”

  “She would be happy to,” Lady Havenshire answered.

  Lady Sarah glanced at her mother, her jaw tightened, but she accepted Julian’s offered arm. He gave her a rakish grin. Lady Sarah shot him a heated look, and he stifled a chuckle.

  “I think I would rather enjoy a stroll as well.” Lord Shillington offered his arm to Lady Jane.

  Julian sighed. Was there no escaping the siblings? He swallowed his aggravation. “Marvelous.” He led Lady Sarah from the box, the siblings trailed behind them.

  “I am quite parched. Let us get a drink,” Lady Sarah said.

  Julian glanced at her, but she stared straight ahead. “As you wish.” He turned them toward a refreshment table. Perhaps he could use the opportunity to get to know her better.

  “Do you truly care a whit for my wishes?” She sighed.

  Julian patted her hand. “Of course I do.”

  “Then cease this…this…what you are doing. Just stop it.” She glared at him. “Return me to my parents.”

  He stilled, and she removed her hand from around his arm. Julian met her stare. “You are requesting that I stop what exactly?”

  Her eyes flashed as she narrowed them on him. “Do not pretend you do not know what it is I speak of. You are pursuing me for some nefarious reason, and I will not stand for it any longer.”

  He chuckled. “Nefarious you say? Pray, do go on.”

  Lady Sarah placed a hand on her hip. “You are an impossible scoundrel.”

  “And what if my intentions are honorable?”

  “Then you are a scoundrel wasting them on me.” She glanced furtively around the room. “We will soon be the talk of the ton. Give me your arm.”

  He gave her his best seductive grin. “You just told me to stop spending my energy on you.”

  A deep scowl overtook her lovely face. “Do so after you return me to my parents.” She stepped closer to him, taking his arm.

  His body ached to pull her close and capture those tantalizing lips beneath his. “The day will come when you will appreciate my energy.” He watched as a delicate blush crept across her cheeks.

  “Do not speak to me again this evening.”

  “Very well, I shall save my words for tomorrow.” He tightened his arm over her hand and angled them back toward his box.

  She exhaled louder than was proper.

  The lady did not seem the least bit interested in being courted by him, but her constant blushes told him otherwise. He needed an ally to help him secure Lady Sarah as his future Marchioness. Perhaps he could get Lady Havenshire to help his cause. Hope burned in his gut. He would speak with her tomorrow.

  CHAPTER 5

  LADY SARAH PACED across the Duchess of Abernathy’s drawing room as she waited for Grace to join her.

  She could not stop her thoughts from returning to the previous night, to Lord Luvington’s pursuit of her. How dare the rake so openly flirt with her, and in public nonetheless. A shiver ran through her, and she shook her head. Another scene the likes of that and her reputation would be lost forever.

  “Good afternoon, Lady Sarah.”

  Sarah spun and forced the corners of her mouth up. “I am not so sure it is.”

  Grace nodded toward the door. “Let us walk in the garden and discuss what weighs on you. The fresh air may be a benefit.”

  Sarah sighed. “It is a lovely suggestion.”

  She followed Grace into the foyer as the duchess accepted her parasol from the footman, before stepping out into the warm air. The bright late morning sunlight washed over her as she walked with Grace into the garden. Her gaze landed on a cluster of pink flowers at the base of a lime tree. “I have always been quite taken with your garden.”

  Grace stopped walking, and Sarah moved to stand beside her.

  “It does my heart good to hear such a complement. Which path would you prefer?”

  Sarah looked ahead at the spot where the path split. A cluster of yellow daffodils stood tucked into the intersection. “The one on the left.”

  “I am fond of that one as well.” Grace began to walk the path.

  Sarah strolled beside her, focusing her attention on what she had come to say. How to approach the subject? What if Grace found her conundrum silly? After all, what lady would be put off by the attentions of a handsome future duke?

  “Duchess, there is a matter I wish to consult you about.”

  “Do go on.” Grace twirled her parasol, eyes intrigued.

  Sarah glanced at the sky. “I fear you will think me a silly goose once I tell you this.”

  “Come now, it cannot be all that bad.” Grace chuckled. “You are the least silly person I know.”

  “You recall Lady Vivian’s ball and how Lord Luvington kept watching me?” Heat crawled across her chest and up into her cheeks.

  “Have you taken a fancy to the scandalous yet dashing lord?” Grace glanced at her.

  “Not at all,” Sarah focused on a squirrel playing nearby. “But it seems he is determined to spend time with me. Last evening, he invited my parents and I to the opera. I tried to make it clear that I am not interested in the least, but he f
ailed to comprehend my signals.” She glanced at Grace, whose eyes twinkled.

  “It seems he wishes to court you.”

  Sarah rubbed her gloved hand across her cheek. “He is a rake of the worst caliber. Can you imagine what the ton will say if I allow it?”

  Grace moved to a carved stone bench and sat upon it. “They would say you are being courted by a dashing lord who also happens to be in line for a duchy.” She patted the bench next to her. “Come, sit, and we will talk this out.”

  Sarah sighed as she seated herself on the cool bench. “I do not see what else there is to discuss. I am not interested in being courted by a notorious rake. On the contrary, I am determined to find a way to beg him off” She folded her hands in her lap, concentrating on a little brown bird flitting in the grass nearby.

  “Many lords are rakes before they settle into the marriage bed. You may well be throwing happiness away with both hands.” Grace stared at her, her warm brown eyes somehow comforting.

  “You may be correct, but the fact remains, I am not willing to partake in this…this courtship.” She nibbled her bottom lip.

  “I recall you saying last year at Amelia’s wedding that you intend to marry for love. What if this is your opportunity and you fail to give it a go?” Grace reached over and patted Sarah’s hand. “Just consider it for a moment, dear.”

  “It would be quite impossible to fall in love with a man I am certain I could never trust.” Sarah’s chest tightened as her face warmed. “I would forever be wondering what other ladies knew him intimately and whether he still spent time with them.”

  “What makes you so positive he is untrustworthy?”

  Sarah met Grace’s gaze. “Have you forgotten what he did to that poor chit three years hence? Lady… I cannot recall her name, but you know the one.” Her gaze dropped to the scrolled design on the edge of the bench, tracing it for a moment before frowning. She jerked her head up. “It was Lady Claudia. He ruined her and refused to marry her.”