Seduction of My Rake (Linked Across Time Book 3)

by Dawn Brower

  “Enter,” a deep booming voice called out.

  Dom opened the door and stepped to the side. He waited for the Duke of Branterberry to acknowledge his presence. The older gentleman was a genius in plotting and developed strategies that boggled the mind. Dom often wondered where he came up with his diabolical schemes. Under the duke’s tutelage he’d learned a lot. It had become apparent rather fast he’d signed up for more than he’d bargained for. The life he’d lived previously was superfluous and filled with every luxury imaginable. Being a marquess and one of the esteemed peerage offered him every opportunity to indulge in all the vices known to man—and Dom had partook whenever possible.

  And it had left him completely jaded...

  “You requested my presence,” Dom said growing impatient. “Are you going to leave me standing here all day?” He quizzed an eyebrow.

  The Duke tapped his fingers together. He stared over Dom’s shoulder apparently lost in thought. After a moment he shook his head and then waved at Dom. “Come in and shut the door behind you. We’ve quite a bit to discuss.”

  Dom did as he was instructed and sat down in the chair near the duke’s desk. He’d become weary watching the man lost in his own thoughts. What was bothering him? It had to be something bad for it to weigh on the Duke of Branterberry. Nothing fazed him and he took everything by storm. Nothing and no one stood in his way. It was something Dom had always admired about him.

  “I’m sure you’re aware that Bonaparte has been secluded on the isle of St. Helena successfully for years now.” The Duke frowned. “Something we’d like to continue for the unforeseeable future.”

  Dom nodded. “I take it there has been a development in that area for you to be concerned.”

  The duke waved a hand. “I don’t doubt that Napoleon will die on that island. It’s only a matter of when.” He leaned back in his chair. “That being said...” He paused a moment and studied Dom. “There is something I believe could be an issue if we don’t handle it.”

  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 nothing than to pretend there was nothing there. Something of that nature could result in bloodshed or an economic collapse they’d never recover from. Even if it was something 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 your friend 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 only 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 the news of his upcoming fatherhood—again. He already had a daughter and hoped this time to have a son. “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 an eyebrow. “What exactly am I to keep an eye on?”

  The longer he sat without answers the more surely 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 smuggling ring operating in full force there.”

  There had been one operating there before. Dom had witnessed it when he visited there after James’s return from Waterloo. He thought it had been taken care of after James had been shot by one of the smugglers. Alys had been brilliant in taking care of James, but it had been left to Dom to bring down the ring. He’d done it and considered his duty complete. It appeared as if he’d been wrong or foolish in believing that had been the end of it.

  “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 raised an eyebrow. “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 had thought he’d hidden his feelings well. How wrong he’d been... Though to be fair the duke wasn’t the usual sort. He saw far more than the average person. It shouldn’t have surprised him he’d been able to uncover 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.

  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 was she still not married? Were these young lords all fools 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 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 only 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.

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

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

  The duke leaned back further in his chair. “Give me a report in a sennight regardless of information. I’d rather have something than nothing. 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 knew what all of his operatives were up to on 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. You’re one of my best operatives, but 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 did know what he wanted. Lady Rosanna Kendall was everything good in the world, while Lord Dominic Rossington, the Marquess of Seabrook, was the complete opposite. Maybe she would make him better. He didn’t know one way or the other. All he knew was he wanted 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 had missed him. His best friend might not be so happy to see him once he realized how much Dom lusted after his sister. James was probably going to use the bricks he called fists on Dom’s face at some point.

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

  Dawn Brower works as a substitute teacher and enjoys the flexibility it gives her to concentrate on her other endeavors, and focus on writing when her muse calls to her.

  Growing up she was the only girl out of six children. She is a single mother of two teenage boys; there is never a dull moment in her life. Reading books is her favorite hobby. There is nothing like a nice glass of wine and a good book to relax with at the end of the day.

  There are always stories inside her head; she just never thought she could make them come to life. That creativity has finally found an outlet.

  Visit her website at www.authordawnbrower.com for more information on upcoming releases.

  Books by Dawn Brower

  Broken Pearl

  Deadly Benevolence

  Marsden Romances

  A Flawed Jewel

  A Crystal Angel

  A Treasured Lily

  A Sanguine Gem

  A Hidden Ruby

  A Discarded Pearl

  Novak Springs Series

  Cowgirl Fever

  Dirty Proof

  Unbridled Pursuit

  Sensual Games

  Linked Across Time Series

  Saved by My Blackguard

  Searching for My Rogue

  Seduction of My Rake

  Surrendering to My Spy

  Heart’s Intent Series

  One Heart to Give

  Unveiled Hearts