When they could wait no longer, they jumped off that peak together, holding each other while their skin cooled and their heartbeats no longer rang in their ears.
Curled up on his lap with him still inside her, Cassandra rested her head on his chest. She was tired, sated. Happier than any moment she could recall. What began in a storm was now a calm sea lulling her to sleep. She no longer needed to fight it to survive. She was safe in the arms of the man who loved her. Who she cherished with all her being.
“I love you, my little mermaid,” he whispered against her hair.
She yawned. “Love,” was all she could say before she fell asleep, knowing this was a dream she would never awaken from.
SEARCHING FOR MY ROGUE
DAWN BROWER
SEARCHING FOR MY ROGUE
CHAPTER ONE
September 5, 2015
“Aly, have you seen my shoes?”
Alys Dewitt rolled her eyes. “Did you check under the bed?” Her younger sister, Regina, was constantly losing something. They both sat in Regina’s chamber wearing their undergarments covered by a silk robe. If it wasn’t one thing, her sister would make something up so the attention would fall back to where she believed it belonged—on her.
Alys plopped down into one of the fancy retro chairs next to the window and pulled a nail file from her overstuffed purse. She slid it across her nails to even them out. Maybe she would get lucky and Regina would find her shoes without asking for help.
“You can help me, you know,” Regina whined. “You are my maid of honor.”
No such luck...
With a sigh, she dropped the nail file back in her purse. She should have known better. Regina couldn’t do anything on her own. Drama queen? Her sister put the very idea to shame. Men loved her though. They weren’t able to look past her perfect frame and flawless heart-shaped face. That Regina’s face was draped with platinum blonde hair and aquamarine eyes didn’t hurt and was enough to give Alys a complex. Her perfect sister...
In truth, Alys was tired of people comparing them. She was content with how she looked and her life choices. So what if she was still single and her sister appeared to have found the man of her dreams. Someday, she’d find a man worth spending the rest of her life with, and if she didn’t, well, that was perfectly fine too.
At least that’s what she kept telling herself. Complex—ugh—okay, I may have one.
“I’m more than aware of my status in your wedding.” The person in charge of making sure she showed up and radiated her perceived perfectness. Just because she organized things down to the last detail didn’t mean she should have to do it. Her sister was lucky she loved her. She pasted a bright smile on her face and turned toward Regina. “I can’t wait to watch you walk down the aisle and marry Trenton.”
Alys couldn’t wait for this wedding to be over with.
She loved her sister. Honestly. But her attitude grated on her nerves. Regina’s spoiled princess demeanor drove her insane. Alys could only spend so much time with her before she felt her fingers start to twitch. A desire to wrap them around her sister’s neck and squeeze filled her, and it took all of her self control not to act on it.
“You don’t look very happy about it. Don’t you want to be part of my wedding?” Regina pouted. “Your fists are clenched at your side, and you’ve been bitchier than usual.”
Alys tilted her head heavenward, silently praying for patience. She turned her attention to her overwrought sister. “I promise I want to be part of your big day.” She crossed her heart and blew her a kiss. “Now think, where was the last place you saw your shoes?” For once, please remember... So she wouldn’t have to mess up her own hair digging around for her sister’s shoes.
Regina bit her lip and a small tear slid down her cheek. “I don’t know.”
Alys took a deep breath and braced herself for the stream of tears about to descend. “It will be fine, Gina. Let me take a look. I’m sure they’re here.” She crossed the room and patted her on the back. Alys turned and scanned the room. No, her shoes weren’t any place obvious. It appeared as if she’d have to do some serious searching.
“Thank you,” Regina’s voice wobbled. “You are the best sister, truly.”
That’s what she was to everyone: the one they could always depend on. What would they do if she suddenly disappeared? Maybe she should. Teach them all they would have to learn to do for themselves sometimes. Alys couldn’t really do it though. Meanness, along with selfishness, wasn’t her go-to attitude. That was what made people lean on her so much. She was an easy target to get roped into doing everything. She walked around the room and looked under the furniture. No shoes. There was only one place left to check. Alys headed toward the closet.
Alys sat down in the walk-in closet and rifled through a pile of clothes. She tossed them to the other side in an effort to reach the bottom. Of course, lying in the middle of it all was a pair of white stilettos with clear crystals decorating the toes and along the side. Regina loved shoes and allowed everyone to choose their own style for the wedding. Alys had a similar pair; a bridesmaid gift from her sister. Her reasoning for the modern footwear was no one would see them under their long gowns. Everything else was Regency period accurate for the wedding.
She couldn’t believe how careless Regina was being with her wedding attire. If it were her wedding, she’d have taken better care of her shoes. Looking perfect for her big day would top her list, along with meeting her intended in front of everyone and saying her vows. Regina tended to be a tad unorganized. Why would she need to keep track of her belongings when she had everyone else doing it for her?
“Found them,” she called out from the back of the closet. “You hid them from yourself under a pile of clothes.” Alys grabbed the shoes and stood. She left the closet and found her sister sitting on the edge of the bed, a forlorn expression on her face.
“Hey, are you all right?” Alys rubbed her shoulder. “What’s bothering you?”
“Do you think I’m making a mistake?”
“Oh, honey, it’s not my place to say.” Was her sister having doubts? Didn’t all brides on some level? How could she make it better for her? “You love Trenton, don’t you?”
“I do...”
Good, that gave her something to work with. “Then what’s the real issue?”
“I always jump in without thinking. When he proposed, I said yes before he finished asking me. I was so excited and could already see how our future would go, but now...” Regina bit her lip. “I think I may have feelings for somebody else.”
Oh dear...
“Who?” Alys waved her hand, dismissing her question. “Never mind, I don’t want to know. Let me put it like this. When you close your eyes, who do you picture as the man you want to grow old with, build a family with, and wake up each day to their face lying next to yours?”
Regina closed her eyes. Her face remained calm and unmoving, lips parted as she breathed in and out. “Trenton.” A soft smile formed on her beautiful face. “I see him with me each day.”
“Then you don’t need to worry about your choice. You’ve already made it.”
Thank God... If Regina cancelled the wedding—Alys didn’t want to think about the backlash from it. Her mother, bless her heart, would be apoplectic. Crisis diverted, she needed Regina to finish dressing for her upcoming nuptials.
“I’m sorry I’m such a mess.”
Alys smiled. “From what I understand these feelings are quite normal.” She sat on the bed next to her sister and pulled her into a hug. “Now, I think we need to fix your makeup and get you into that lovely gown you picked out.”
Regina rested her head on Alys’s shoulder. “I know, you’re right, but can we sit here for a minute?”
Alys wanted to give her whatever she desired, but they couldn’t stay in their current position for very long. The wedding was scheduled to start in a half-hour. If they were going to be ready on time, they would have to start moving.
&nbs
p; “Of course.” Alys rubbed her arm. “Only a moment though. Mama will come barreling in any minute and go a little cray cray at the sight of us. Neither of us is ready.”
Regina sighed. “Let’s get me ready.”
Alys stood up and held her hand out to her sister. “Come on, go sit at your vanity. Time to make you even more beautiful than you already are.”
Regina sat and started fixing her face. Alys went to the closet and grabbed both of their dresses and laid them across the bed. She settled herself next to Regina at the vanity, watching her apply her makeup. Her hair had been arranged earlier in a perfect chignon with curls framing her face. After more than thirty minutes, her sister sighed and set down her makeup brush and turned toward her.
Alys shrugged. At least her sister hadn’t taken as long as she usually did to put on makeup. This maid of honor thing was not something she wanted to experience ever again. Regina was her only sister, so chances of it happening again were slim.
“I’m ready to get dressed now,” Regina stated.
“Good. I have your dress right here.”
Alys held up the Regency inspired wedding gown. Her sister had decided on a themed wedding. They were all to wear period dresses or suits—even the guests. Alys loved her dress. It had a high empire waist with lace along the edge of the bodice and intricate beading at the base of the skirt. The fabric was silky and shown in a brilliant, pure white. The bridesmaid dresses were similar, but in varied shades. Alys’s dress was a brilliant emerald. Regina wanted to dress Alys in a color to match her eyes—and she approved of the choice. When she tried it on, complete bliss overtook her.
Alys helped her sister into her gown and helped her tie the sash around the front. It all had to be historically accurate. No zippers for any of the wedding party. Lucky for Alys, hers slipped on and only had a few ties under the bodice. A complicated dress would have made getting out of it rather difficult considering she didn’t have a groom to help her out of it at the end of the evening.
“All ready.” Alys smiled. “It’s time to go downstairs.”
Regina nodded and wound her arm around Alys’s. They left the room and descended the stairs. Their father awaited them at the bottom, along with the best man, Bradford Kendall, the current Duke of Weston. He also happened to be Trenton’s stepbrother. The wedding was taking place on his estate in Kent. Alys sucked in a breath at the sight of him in his period attire. The man was gorgeous. There was no other word for it. His jet-black hair was brushed back, and his dark blue eyes shot upward as he watched them walk down. To be accurate, he watched Regina. Could he be the other man her sister had feelings for?
They reached the bottom. Their father kissed them each on the cheek. “You both look lovely.” He looped his arm around theirs, one of them on each side of him. “You ready for a wedding?”
“I am.” Regina giggled.
Bradford joined them, his gaze never leaving Regina’s face. “It’s a beautiful day for one. Every seat is filled.”
“I can’t wait to marry Trenton.”
Alys watched Bradford. He sucked in a harsh breath at her sister’s words. The duke had feelings for Regina. That would make for some awkward family dinners. She frowned. It was too bad really. The man could have any woman he wanted—except Regina—and now, well, her. Alys didn’t want a man besotted with her sister.
“Yes, but you should let Bradford and I go on before you. Why don’t you spend a few minutes with Daddy while we walk to the church?” Alys wanted to put some distance between the two of them. If Bradford was given an inch, he’d try to talk Regina out of marrying his brother. She couldn’t allow him to destroy her sister’s wedding. “We will be patiently waiting to see you walk down the aisle.”
“I don’t…” Bradford started to say, but stopped when Alys pinched his side, hard.
He glared at her, his eyes promising retribution.
“Leave Regina alone,” Alys whispered. “She needs some quality time with our father. We have other things to take care of.” She looped her arm around his and raised an eyebrow. “What are you waiting for? You’re to escort me down the aisle, right?”
“Archaic,” he grumbled. “I can’t fathom why she wanted such an old-fashioned wedding.”
They exited the house and headed toward the church located on the estate.
Alys shrugged. “I don’t know. I find it rather charming.”
“You would,” he replied, sarcasm in his voice.
Alys stopped in her tracks and stared up at him. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
He tucked a stray curl behind her ear. “You have a romantic heart. Probably comes from all that whimsical romance you bury yourself in.”
Heat filled her cheeks. “So, what you’re saying is because I read romance novels I have unhealthy expectations?” How dare he? He didn’t even know her. They were barely acquaintances. To think she’d thought he was handsome when they first met. Way to ruin her fantasies… She should thank him for the wakeup call. For a brief moment she’d considered him a possibility. Rogues were all fine and good in romance novels. In real life they were such a letdown. Only in make believe were they redeemable. This man left a bad taste in her mouth.
So what if she’d been searching for a rogue of her own for some time now…It was time to wake up and realize she’d never find one worth fighting for.
“Your words, not mine.” He shrugged. “I think we need to keep moving.”
What an ass.
“Because I want a man to love me doesn’t mean I have unreasonable expectations.” She wanted to punch him and break his perfect nose.
“Love is for fools.”
Wait… That meant he didn’t love her sister.
“So what about your feelings for Regina?”
A deep throated chuckle filled the air. “Oh, sweetheart, that’s not love. It’s lust, pure and simple.”
He needed to be taken down a peg or three... “Someday you will meet someone who takes your breath away. Your very existence moot without them by your side—every breath, every heartbeat, will be only for them. If you’re lucky enough, they will feel the same. Either way, I hope I’m around to see you fall. It will be a damned beautiful sight. The great Duke of Weston on his knees before a mere woman.”
He pinned her in place with a scathing look. Such striking blue eyes... “Not bloody likely.”
Alys smirked. “Maybe not, still, it would be amusing to watch.”
Bradford stared down at her with condescension. He tilted his head to the side as he studied her. His lips twitched and formed one of his cocky smiles. Whatever light bulb had gone off inside of his head, Alys did not know, but she didn’t like how he was looking at her.
“Tell me, Alys, have you ever been in the gallery on my estate?”
Where was he going with this? “No, I’ve only been here since yesterday. Not a lot of time for a tour. You do have a very large home.”
“Pity.” He glanced down at her through hooded eyes. “You might have seen something interesting in there.”
Like what? Bradford was confusing her. He wasn’t flirting, but he wasn’t exactly being standoffish either. Alys didn’t know what game he was playing and didn’t really care either. She was putting a stop to it before it went any further. “I’m sure it has a lot of lovely art, but I’m not generally drawn to pretty pictures.” Books, on the other hand, were a craving she couldn’t kick.
“Oh, it isn’t a bunch of pretty pictures. Most of them are of my family.”
The man was talking foolishness. Why would she care about portraits of his family? Alys shrugged. “I’m failing to follow your logic.”
His lips tilted into an evil grin. “You remind me of someone in the portraits. Uncanny really. Remind me later, and maybe I will take the time to show you.”
Was this his version of “let me show you my etchings?” Alys wasn’t going to fall for his plans of seduction. She wasn’t born yesterday. “No thanks. I won’t be staying long enough
to bother.”
They had stopped just outside the church. The walk over had been enlightening. As far as Alys was concerned she wouldn’t be repeating it. Bradford was a conundrum she didn’t want to figure out. Soon Regina would be married to his step-brother. Alys wouldn’t have to deal with him, but she hoped her sister knew what she was getting into. Bradford might just come between her and Trenton. He didn’t seem like the type of man to step aside willingly.
“Suit yourself.” He opened the church door and led her inside.
“Is Regina on her way?” Her mother rushed to their side. “It’s time to start.”
“Yes, she’s coming over with Daddy. She should be here any minute. Go ahead and let them begin. Bradford and I can head down now.”
Her mother didn’t say a word and left them at the end of the aisle. The music started as Regina and her father entered the church. Bradford wound her arm around his, and together they marched down the aisle. They took their places and waited for the bride.
Regina came down the aisle with their father, tears falling down her cheeks as she approached Trenton. They said their vows—all of it a blur. Soon the wedding came to an end, and they were leaving the church. A reception was scheduled to immediately follow the nuptials.
Alys shook her head. For some reason, everything swam before her. A hammer seemed to pound against her skull—something wasn’t right. She needed her purse. She’d have something in there to help whatever was going on. If she could get through the day, she could spend a week in bed if necessary. Please, let me see Regina’s wedding until the end...
Alys followed everyone out blindly. She wanted a few minutes to herself. Maybe she could take a breath and find that time inside the manor. The people around her suffocated her, and she still couldn’t get over Bradford’s attitude. He would have ruined Regina’s wedding for a brief affair. Who was this man? How had he come to discard love so easily? Jaded, cynical, and one of the current rogues in England—Dover, to be more precise—Bradford did what he wanted and didn’t give it a second thought. Alys shouldn’t have been surprised at his words, yet she couldn’t help feeling disappointed at the same time.
Once Upon A Regency Page 53
