The Last Wicked Rogue

by Lauren Smith

  She forced herself to pull away before the scandal they were causing grew any further. “I will be there and I will see you.”

  “Then I will see you tomorrow.” He raised her hand to his lips and feathered a kiss over it. The heat of the moment made her a little dizzy. How could he make something so innocent seem so wicked?

  Because you’re in love with him, and he with you.

  Lily rejoined Emily as the crowds in the ballroom dispersed. Soon everyone would be headed home to warm beds, hot fires, biscuits, and tea. For the first time it would be her chance to enjoy coming home to such things, rather than being the one to prepare it for others.

  “Well, how was it?” Emily asked with a teasing smile.

  “My first ball?” Lily asked.

  “No, dancing with Charles.” Emily’s smile was far too sneaky, but Lily didn’t care. Let Emily matchmake away if she liked.

  “Wonderful,” she admitted.

  “I saw what you did,” Emily said. “At first I thought you were rejecting Charles by forcing those other girls on him. Then I knew you were not only helping those girls find some attention, but testing Charles as well. Am I right?”

  Lily smiled. “After a fashion.”

  “It seems to have worked. He is certainly infatuated with you. Perhaps I was wrong about him. Maybe Charles is ready for marriage. I did promise I would sail to the ends of the earth to find the woman destiny set for him.” Emily gave her a hug and whispered in her ear, “Perhaps destiny was right in front of him all along.”

  Lily tried to swallow down the knifing pain in her heart. She feared more than anything that it had been, but not the destiny any of them had been hoping for.

  14

  “Quite a night, eh?” Cedric clapped Charles on the shoulder as they left the Sanderson home. “Far less painful than I feared.”

  “Quite a night indeed,” Charles agreed. He hadn’t thought his spirits could be buoyed after the attacks on Phillip and Graham. But coming here tonight and finding Lily… Even her name made his blood hum and his head dizzy, as though he’d drunk too much whisky. She had given him a glimpse of hope again.

  “It seems to have pulled you out of your black mood for a while, at least. I saw you danced with a number of fine ladies. I don’t suppose any of them caught your fancy?”

  “One flower,” he admitted. “Lily Wycliff.”

  “Emily’s cousin from the country?” Cedric chuckled. “Well, Godric forbade you from wooing her, so I guess it was only natural that you would. That must have been the blonde beauty you were with during the last waltz.”

  Charles smiled to himself. “That she was.” He’d seen stunning women before, that was nothing new. But there was something more to Lily that drew him toward her, something that called to him. Like he sensed in her a kindred spirit, perhaps even someone wounded as he was. If she was, then perhaps there was a chance of them healing each other.

  He resolved to call upon her first thing tomorrow, but a problem occurred to him. What the devil did a man do when he called upon a woman properly? Sit in a parlor and drink tea under the watchful eyes of a chaperone? Then he realized Emily was going to be Lily’s chaperone. He would never live down the humiliation of that.

  “You know she has a child?” Cedric asked, his tone colored with caution.

  Charles nodded. “I heard. But I am exceptional with children. Just ask Tom. I’ve been known to take care of his baby sister from time to time.”

  “Speaking of Tom, where is he? It’s not like you to be without your valet.”

  Charles’s heart sank as he remembered Tom’s less than happy circumstances. “Tom’s favorite aunt is dying. I gave the lad leave to stay with her. He took young Kat with him.”

  “Oh, that’s a shame.”

  “It is. And I feel damned guilty for wanting him here.”

  Cedric shrugged. “A good valet is worth his weight in gold.”

  This was true enough, but the boy had also become a part of his life, more like a young protégé. His confidant. His friend. And outside of the League, he didn’t have many he counted as such.

  “Ah, there you are.” Anne joined them outside, stifling a yawn as she leaned against her husband.

  “Oh dear, best get you home, lady wife.” Cedric chuckled and shot Charles a wink.

  “Yes, you should. Good night, Charles.” Anne smiled at him, and the couple headed to their waiting coach.

  Charles sighed, watching his breath form a brief cloud before he tightened his gloves. Alone again. He waved a groom over, and the man led his horse up to the bottom step of the house.

  He rode home on the darkened streets, humming the tune of that last waltz. He didn’t want to forget a moment of his time with Lily Wycliff.

  Damnation, he was falling hard for the woman, and he didn’t even know her. She was a stranger to him, albeit a beautiful one, yet he could almost swear that he did know her. But that was impossible. True, he had wooed many women over the years, but how would he forget someone like her? And she would have had to have forgotten him, which was simply unthinkable. It seemed she would remain his mysterious blonde angel for another night.

  But come tomorrow, he would learn everything he could about her.

  Once safely home, he saw that his horse was taken care of and then stole some biscuits from the kitchen before retiring to bed. His nightclothes had been laid out by Davis, and he stripped out of his evening attire, tossing them over the back of the chair. The fire was lit in the hearth, but the chair beside it was empty. The chair he often found Tom asleep in on the nights he didn’t accompany Charles out.

  Charles pulled on his nightshirt and climbed into bed. Despite his exhaustion, he rolled restlessly from side to side, stretching his legs and arms to get comfortable, yet sleep still eluded him. His eyes kept slipping open as his mind played over the events at the ball.

  He sat up and watched the firelight create shadows on the canopy draperies over his bed. An awful thought crept in on his happiness. If Hugo learned of his interest in Lily, it could put her in danger, just like everyone else.

  She was safe enough under Godric’s roof for now, but there was no telling what would happen in the days to come. He only knew that Hugo would try to make another move soon. When he did, Charles would have to be ready to stop him…or die trying.

  Hugo Waverly was in his study reading over the latest dispatches from Paris when the door opened. Daniel Sheffield slipped inside without a knock or word of greeting. Daniel was an extension of Hugo, and a weapon to be wielded whenever necessary.

  He pushed the stack of dispatches away and leaned back in his chair. “Anything to report?”

  “Kilkenny, the man you feared was sympathetic toward the League, was hit by a coach this evening on his way to the Sanderson ball. He did not survive.”

  “Pity that. Coaches are a dangerous thing at night,” Hugo mused with a cold smile. Kilkenny wouldn’t be missed. “What else?”

  “Lord Kent still lives. Lonsdale and Lennox went into the tunnels and found him, and word from our source is that he clings to life. I could have our man correct that.”

  Hugo considered it. Letting Kent die under Charles’s roof would be horrific, but he didn’t want his agent to risk exposure.

  “Unnecessary. The message was sent and received, as planned. That is all that matters. What else?”

  Daniel smiled now. “Lonsdale was seen dancing with a woman named Mrs. Wycliff.”

  He paused for a beat, knowing Hugo did not know that name. “Mrs. Lily Wycliff. She is said to be a distant country cousin to the Duchess of Essex.”

  Hugo tapped his fingers on the desk. “So, the plan worked. I was hoping it would.” Her suggestion to pose as a cousin to Lady Essex was quite brilliant. And allowing the duchess to do half the work for him was nothing short of delicious. The so-called League of Rogues would soon welcome Lily with open arms. And then…

  “I believe that news deserves a drink.” Hugo stood and retrieve
d a set of glasses and a decanter of scotch. He poured two glasses and handed one to Daniel.

  “To Mrs. Lily Wycliff.” Hugo chuckled. “May she weave a seductive web around Lonsdale’s vile heart.”

  Once she did, Hugo would be the spider at the center of that web, ready to strike.

  15

  Charles stared at his outfit in the mirror of his bedchamber, his nerves running rampant. He’d woken early, far too early, and had lain in bed for hours planning in detail how he wanted to spend the day with Lily. He’d accounted for Emily’s usual games. No doubt the woman would try to play matchmaker and have her own agenda, but Charles was determined to see things through his own way.

  He looked over his bottle-green waistcoat embroidered with gold stags, his buff breeches and dark-blue coat. Would Lily approve? He’d never thought his appearance questionable before, but now he was doubting every choice he made.

  “My lord?” Davis stood there at his right side, frowning. “Did I choose something incorrectly?”

  Charles frowned now as well. “No. I’m simply unsure of myself. Do you think I look impressive? If you were a lady, I mean.”

  Davis gave a half smile. “I think you quite handsome, my lord. If I were a lady, that is.”

  “I’m so bloody nervous after all these years.”

  “Nervous, sir? I’ve never seen you nervous meeting a lady before.”

  “This is different. None of my usual games, secret rendezvous, or sneaking in through windows. I wish to do things right.”

  “I see, my lord. Well, that would be a change for you.”

  Charles turned to face Davis slowly, and the man’s smile vanished.

  “I’m sorry, my lord, I didn’t mean…”

  “No, you’re right, of course. Lord, I don’t even know what a proper time to call on a lady is. Do you?”

  “I believe late morning to the early afternoon is considered acceptable.” Davis used a small brush to remove some dust from the coat, not that Charles saw any.

  “Late morning. Early afternoon.” Charles slipped his pocket watch out and glanced at it. It was only half past nine. Bloody hell, how was he going to spend the next two hours?

  His butler appeared in the doorway. “My lord?”

  “Yes?”

  “There’s a Mrs. Ellis here to see you,” said Ramsey. “She said she’s answering the notice you posted seeking a governess and nurse for Katherine and little Oliver.”

  “Right!” He’d forgotten about his quest for a nurse after everything else that had happened.

  “I put her in the drawing room, and I’ll have a maid bring in some tea.”

  “Thank you, Ramsey.” Charles tugged his waistcoat down to smooth out any wrinkles and tucked his watch back in his pocket. Then he headed to the drawing room.

  He found a middle-aged woman waiting patiently in a chair. She moved to stand when he entered, but he waved for her to remain seated.

  “Mrs. Ellis?” he asked.

  “Yes, it’s a pleasure to meet you, my lord.” The woman’s blue eyes were gentle and her smile open. He liked that. Nurses who didn’t smile weren’t always the best for children. He took a seat across from her and studied her more closely. Plain clothes, good hair, but styled in a plain chignon, and a pleasing face and voice. All good, but he still had questions, ones that mattered more than her appearance.

  “Now, how long have you been a nurse and governess?”

  “Ten years,” she said. “I was employed by Viscount Richmond and his wife for their children, but they are now grown enough to attend Eton.”

  “I see. And have you worked with younger children? Say two or three years old?”

  She nodded. “I worked with one of the boys since he was three and the other since he was five. I’m quite comfortable with the little ones.”

  “Good, good. Now”

  “Pardon me, my lord, but I should like to meet the little ones.”

  “Ah… Well, one child is not here. You see, the child is the little sister of my valet. Their mother died, leaving the young man to care for child, and I look after my people. I’m fond of Katherine and wanted her to have the best care.”

  Mrs. Ellis’s brows rose in surprise. “You want me to care for a servant’s child?”

  Charles frowned a little.

  “Ah, I see…” Mrs. Ellis’s gaze turned shrewd. “She’s the child of a liaison?”

  The question was bold and inappropriate, but he couldn’t blame the woman for the assumption.

  “Forgive me,” she quickly added. “But it is important to know these things ahead of time, for the child’s sake.”

  It certainly wasn’t an implausible scenario. He had known men in that very situation. But he did not sleep with servants. It was not an issue of class but of power and choosing not to wield it over those who had none. And Tom’s mother had been a lady’s maid to a countess.

  “She isn’t mine, but you will find, Mrs. Ellis, that I have an open heart when it comes to children. One of my best footmen lost his wife last year and is raising a son on his own. He’ll be your other young charge.”

  “It’s about time we had lords taking care of children. I think it’s a fine thing indeed, my lord.”

  He sensed she was teasing him, though he couldn’t fathom why.

  “So, you will take the position?”

  Mrs. Ellis didn’t immediately answer. She took a moment to study him, and finally nodded.

  “Excellent. Even though the lad and his sister aren’t here, I’d like you to start right away with Davis’s son so you will be settled in when Tom and his sister return.”

  “Thank you, my lord.” She held up a carpet bag. “I had hoped this position would be suitable, and I came prepared.”

  “Good. Have the housekeeper show you to your room, and you will have a chance to meet the staff and little Oliver.”

  He waited for her to proceed him. Once he was sure she would be seen to, he checked his pocket watch again. That hadn’t taken nearly enough time.

  “Sir?” Davis spoke up as he exited the servants’ stairs. “I just met with Mrs. Ellis. She and Oliver took to each other right away. I don’t know how I can ever thank you.” Charles’s face heated a little. It was always a bit embarrassing when they thanked him for his generosity. In his mind, his actions should be considered normal, not something exceptional.

  “You’re welcome, Davis. I believe she’ll suit the children very well. But if you’d like to repay the favor, I could use some advice as to how to spend my time before paying a call on my intended lady.”

  “Perhaps you could buy the young lady flowers?” the footman suggested hopefully. “That will take at least half an hour, and it would bring a smile to her face.”

  “Davis, you are a smart man.” He winked at the footman, grabbed his greatcoat, and left to summon his coach. The best flowers were on Bond Street.

  At the flower shop he met a young lady with doe-brown eyes and honey-blonde hair who was artfully arranging stems in a vase by one of the bloom-filled windows. He noted the quality of the cloth of her gown, even though it was a season or two old. It was possible the young lady had fallen on hard times and had sought out employment here. Well, he’d be sure to reward her for any help she could give him today.

  “Excuse me, miss?” He cleared his throat, and the young lady gasped, almost toppling the vase of flowers. Charles steadied the vase and set it securely back on the table. The woman faced him, a blush coloring her cheeks.

  Charles grinned. “I’m terribly sorry.” At least he still had some ability to dazzle the ladies left with him. With Lily he felt untried and ineffective, but it seemed she was the only woman not completely dazzled by him.

  “What may I help you with?” The girl waved at the flowers that covered every surface of the store.

  “I need a bouquet,” he began uncertainly. It had been longer than he could remember since he’d had to work at winning a woman over. All too often, they fell head over feet f
or him with no effort on his part, but it was different with Lily. He wanted to be a shining knight for her, a man who would give her the world or perish in the attempt.

  “For a lady you admire? Or shall this be for a proposal?” The woman waited patiently for Charles to decide.

  “This would be…a courting…bouquet?” He prayed there was such a thing.

  The woman tried to fight off a little smile. “Ah… First time to call upon your lady?”

  He nodded, feeling a little jolt of nervousness.

  The woman watched him, her hands hovering near a pot of gardenias. “Tell me about her.”

  “She’s beautiful. She’s golden-haired, as though the sun kissed her, and her eyes are as blue as cornflowers. She’s tall and graceful…” He noticed the woman staring at him, and he realized praising Lily’s physical beauty was not what she had in mind. “She’s witty, intelligent, and most definitely wily. She ties me in knots. But she’s had hardships. Her late husband died after an illness and left her alone with their young daughter. She dances like a dream, but she’s also kind and thoughtful and mysterious…” He couldn’t resist smiling now. “When she laughs, the candlelight seems brighter, and when I hear her voice, the rest of the world falls away.”

  “She’s made you into a poet, I see.” She was already moving about the shop, plucking colorful flowers one by one and tucking them into a vase. “That tells me all I need to know.” Then she returned and pointed out each selection.

  “Gladiolas for strength and faithfulness. Calla lilies for innocence and purity, amaryllis for splendid beauty, and daffodils for unrequited love.”

  “Unrequited?” Charles asked.

  “Think of it as a plea for it to be requited,” she answered with a wink.

  Charles noticed she missed one flower, a flower he recognized. “And the gardenias? What do they mean?”