The Right Kind of Rogue
Page 23
“Do you still love me?” he ventured.
Her eyes were bright with unshed tears. “I told you, I’ve loved you since I was sixteen.”
He wiped her tears from her cheeks with his thumbs. “No. You only thought you loved me back then. I’m much more worthy of your love now. This minute. You’ve always been what I always wanted. I just never knew it until now.”
“I love you no matter what, you dolt.” Meg smiled through her tears.
“That’s more like it.” He lowered his voice. “Will you come with me, now?”
A sly smile appeared on her face. “I don’t know. It depends upon where you’re headed. I’m having an awfully good time being a wallflower. I’m quite used to it, you know.”
He leered at her and leaned down to whisper. “To bed?”
“In that case, can we leave immediately?”
He grinned from ear to ear, scooped her up in his arms and strode away with her, careless of the spectacle he was making. “My darling, I can promise you, you’ll never be a wallflower again.”
CHAPTER FORTY-NINE
Later that night, after having been thoroughly made love to by her gorgeous husband who loved her, Meg rolled over, lifted up on an elbow, and kissed him on his rough cheek.
Hart laughed, rolled atop her, and kissed her on the lips. He lifted her hand to his mouth and soundly kissed the back of it.
“I can’t believe you came to the Litchfields’ ball and made such a scene,” Meg said with a snicker. “Especially in front of your father. We’ll never live it down.”
“A scene a long time coming. I should have grabbed you and demanded you marry me last summer after I kissed you in the gardens by your father’s house.”
Meg slapped at his shoulder playfully. “You thought I was your mistress.”
Hart rolled to his side to face her, his elbow braced on the mattress, his head resting on his palm. “Yes, but I soon realized my mistake, and imagine my surprise when I realized my sister’s closest friend could kiss like that.”
Meg slapped at his shoulder again. “You wouldn’t even look at me in the coach the next day after Sarah ran out of the church.”
“I didn’t know where to look. If I had, I’d have been staring at your delectable mouth.”
Meg wrapped her arms around his shoulders. He’d come for her. He’d really come for her. And he’d told her he loved her. She might think it had been a dream if the man wasn’t lying next to her, his glorious chest bared, and a wide grin on his handsome lips.
“Hart, tell me something.”
“Anything, my love.” He leaned down and kissed her bare shoulder.
“You know why our parents fought, don’t you?”
The smile faded from his face. “Yes.”
Meg leaned up on her elbow, the sheets covering her chest. She clutched them to her. “Why? Tell me.”
Hart took a deep breath. “It’s an ugly story, love.”
“I must know.”
Hart scrubbed a hand through his hair. “Very well. Before my parents were married, my mother was madly in love with your father. They almost married. Then my mother met my father. A wealthy earl trumps a baron, I’m afraid.”
Meg nodded. “I suspected it was something like that, but that was years ago. I specifically remember them having a falling-out when I was a teen.”
“Yes,” Hart replied. “Apparently, they’d all been out drinking together and my father and your mother stumbled upon my mother and your father kissing each other in a drawing room.”
“No!” Meg gasped. She covered her hand with her mouth.
“I’m afraid it’s true.”
“When did it … I never knew.”
“I only found out because my father liked to drink and tell me about Mother’s indiscretions. Not details, thank God. Just the fact that she hadn’t been faithful to him since soon after Sarah was born. Said she produced an heir and a spare and was through with him.”
“Oh, that’s … that’s awful.”
“Father has been telling me these stories since I was a teen. It haunted me.”
Meg shook her head. “No wonder you were afraid of marriage.”
“Petrified.”
“Oh, please let’s never be like them. I couldn’t stand it if we were as nasty to each other as our parents are.”
“I agree. I don’t want a life where I am constantly worried about who my wife is with.”
“I can promise you, you’ll never have to worry about that with me.”
“I know. I love you, Meg.”
“I love you, too,” she replied, tracing a finger along his cheekbone. “May I ask you one more thing?”
He nuzzled his face in the crook of her neck and kissed it. “Anything, my love.”
“Did you pay off my father’s debts?”
Hart’s eyes widened. “How did you—?”
“Your father told me, tonight. He threatened me. I had my suspicions, of course, especially after my father said they wouldn’t be leaving the country after all. I noticed repairs going on at the house, and Mother had a new gown.”
“I’ve taken over all your father’s books, and he and I will meet monthly to ensure he’s not racking up more debt. He’s promised he won’t.”
“Your father was furious,” Meg said. “He said it was his money.”
“I don’t give a damn if he approves and it’s not his money, it’s mine. I have a large sum settled on me from my grandmother.”
“Your father told me he’d see our marriage annulled if it was the last thing he did.”
“If he tries, it will be the last thing he does. But he doesn’t scare me. His bark has always been worse than his bite. He’ll want this scandal to die down as quickly as possible. It wouldn’t surprise me if the next time he sees you, he acts like he’s adored you all along.”
Meg was quiet for a moment. “You saved my father.” Tears filled her eyes. “You saved him even when you hated me.”
Hart gathered her into his arms. “I never hated you, love. I was merely a blind, stupid ass. My pride wouldn’t let me realize what was obvious.”
“Which was?”
“I was falling in love with you.” He rubbed his fingertip along the freckles on the bridge of her nose.
Meg stroked her palm against his rough cheek. “Thank you. Thank you for saving my father. I’m certain he’s quite appreciative of your help, too.”
“Your mother didn’t seem thankful.”
“I don’t know if she’s capable of that emotion. I haven’t known her to be happy a day in her life.”
“A pity.”
“But we will be happy. Every day. To think, none of this would have happened if it weren’t for Lucy Hunt.”
“Yes,” Hart replied. “She’s still not my favorite person. It may take a bit for me to forgive her for calling me an idiot, but she is an expert matchmaker. I’ll give her that.”
“She says we’re like Romeo and Juliet. Without the poison of course.”
Hart’s bark of laughter followed. “Speaking of Lucy, that reminds me. Her disciple, Delilah Montebank, asked me to give you a message.”
“Really? What’s that?”
“She said she’s awfully sorry she ruined your life and hopes you’ll forgive her one day.”
Meg laughed. “Already forgiven. The truth is that she saved my life. Though I must say if I’d known what you were like in bed, I would have demanded you marry me after you kissed me at the Hodges’ ball.”
“When I cured your hiccups?”
“Precisely.”
Hart’s laughter cracked across the room. “You must have thought me a rogue.”
She grinned at him. “I already knew you were a rogue, my darling, but I also knew you were the right kind of rogue.”
Thank you for reading The Right Kind of Rogue.
Ever since they stepped onto the page in The Legendary Lord, Meg and Hart have been one of my most beloved couples. I hope you enjoyed their sto
ry.
I’d love to keep in touch.
• Visit my website for information about upcoming books, excerpts, and to sign up for my email newsletter: www.ValerieBowmanBooks.com or at www.ValerieBowmanBooks.com/subscribe.
• Join me on Facebook: http://Facebook.com/ValerieBowmanAuthor.
• Follow me on Twitter at @ValerieGBowman, https://twitter.com/ValerieGBowman.
• Reviews help other readers find books. I appreciate all reviews, whether positive or negative. Thank you so much for considering it!
Look for the next Playful Brides novel from
VALERIE BOWMAN
A Duke Like No Other
Coming soon from
St. Martin’s Paperbacks
Stay updated at
www.valeriebowmanbooks.com
ALSO BY VALERIE BOWMAN
THE PLAYFUL BRIDES
Never Trust a Pirate
The Legendary Lord
The Untamed Earl
The Irresistible Rogue
The Unlikely Lady
The Accidental Countess
The Unexpected Duchess
THE SECRET BRIDES
Secrets of a Scandalous Marriage
Secrets of a Runaway Bride
Secrets of a Wedding Night
E-NOVELLAS
The Unforgettable Hero
A Secret Affair
A Secret Proposal
It Happened Under the Mistletoe
(Also featured in the Christmas Brides anthology)
Praise for the spectacular Playful Brides series by
VALERIE BOWMAN
NEVER TRUST A PIRATE
“Thrilling, delicious, and suspenseful.”
—Kirkus Reviews
“Another enthralling Bowman romance.”
—RT Book Reviews (Top Pick!)
“An engaging literary treat for all romance readers.”
—Booklist
“Bowman blends a lighthearted romp through Regency London with a secret spy mission for a perfectly lovely novel.”
—USA Today bestselling author Maya Rodale
“A delicious mix of intrigue and red-hot romance.”
—BookPage
THE LEGENDARY LORD
“A sweet and fulfilling romance.”
—Publishers Weekly
“Graceful writing enlivened with plenty of dry wit, a charming cast, and a breathtakingly sexy romance make Bowman’s latest addition to her Regency-set Playful Brides series another winner.”
—Booklist
“The words funny, smart, sensual, and joyous come to mind when readers pick up Bowman’s romance.”
—RT Book Reviews
THE UNTAMED EARL
“An enchanting romance.”
—RT Book Reviews
“The Untamed Earl is an engaging and romantic love story.”
—Fresh Fiction
THE IRRESISTIBLE ROGUE
“Bowman’s novel is the complete package, filled with fascinating characters, sparkling romance, and a touch of espionage.”
—Publishers Weekly
“With its lively plot, heated sexual tension, surprising twists, engaging characters, and laugh-out-loud humor, Bowman’s latest is another winner.”
—RT Book Reviews (Top Pick!)
“Exactly what romance readers want.”
—Sarah MacLean, The Washington Post
THE UNLIKELY LADY
“An entertaining renewal of a classic plotline and well worth reading.”
—Kirkus Reviews
“Rich with fully developed characters and a plethora of witty banter.”
—Publishers Weekly
“A definite must-read!”
—San Francisco Book Review
THE ACCIDENTAL COUNTESS
“Bowman is one to watch.”
—Kirkus Reviews (starred review)
“Readers will take the characters into their hearts, enjoying every moment of their charming love story as it unfolds in unexpected ways.”
—RT Book Reviews (4½ stars)
“Merry, intelligent, and wholly satisfying.”
—USA Today
THE UNEXPECTED DUCHESS
“Smart, witty, sassy, and utterly delightful!”
—RT Book Reviews (4½ stars, Top Pick!)
“Engaging characters, snappy banter, and smoldering sensuality will have readers clamoring for the next installment in this smart and sexy series.”
—Booklist (starred review)
“A fun, smart comedy of errors and a sexy, satisfying romance.”
—Kirkus Reviews (starred review)
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Valerie Bowman grew up in Illinois with six sisters (she’s number seven) and a huge supply of historical romance novels. After a cold and snowy stint earning a degree in English with a minor in history at Smith College, she moved to Florida the first chance she got. Valerie now lives in Jacksonville with her family including her mini-schnauzers, Huckleberry and Violet. When she’s not writing, she keeps busy reading, traveling, or vacillating between watching crazy reality TV and PBS. Valerie loves to hear from readers. Find her on Facebook, Twitter, and at www.ValerieBowmanBooks.com, or sign up for email updates here.
Thank you for buying this
St. Martin’s Press ebook.
To receive special offers, bonus content,
and info on new releases and other great reads,
sign up for our newsletters.
Or visit us online at
us.macmillan.com/newslettersignup
For email updates on the author, click here.
CONTENTS
Title Page
Copyright Notice
Dedication
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Seventeen
Chapter Eighteen
Chapter Nineteen
Chapter Twenty
Chapter Twenty-One
Chapter Twenty-Two
Chapter Twenty-Three
Chapter Twenty-Four
Chapter Twenty-Five
Chapter Twenty-Six
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Chapter Thirty
Chapter Thirty-One
Chapter Thirty-Two
Chapter Thirty-Three
Chapter Thirty-Four
Chapter Thirty-Five
Chapter Thirty-Six
Chapter Thirty-Seven
Chapter Thirty-Eight
Chapter Thirty-Nine
Chapter Forty
Chapter Forty-One
Chapter Forty-Two
Chapter Forty-Three
Chapter Forty-Four
Chapter Forty-Five
Chapter Forty-Six
Chapter Forty-Seven
Chapter Forty-Eight
Chapter Forty-Nine
Also by Valerie Bowman
Praise for the spectacular Playful Brides series by Valerie Bowman
About the Author
Copyright
This is a work of fiction. All of the characters, organizations, and events portrayed in this novel are either products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously.
THE RIGHT KIND OF ROGUE
Copyright © 2017 by June Third Enterprises, LLC.
All rights reserved.
For information address St. Martin’s Press, 175 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10010.
www.stmartins.com
eISBN: 9781250121721
Our books may be purchased in bulk f
or promotional, educational, or business use. Please contact the Macmillan Corporate and Premium Sales Department at 1-800-221-7945, ext. 5442, or by e-mail at MacmillanSpecialMarkets@macmillan.com.
St. Martin’s Paperbacks edition / October 2017
St. Martin’s Paperbacks are published by St. Martin’s Press, 175 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10010.