The Last Wicked Rogue

by Lauren Smith

  He looked down at Lily, his beautiful, brave angel. She would never know what a gift she was to him. Every breath, every look, every smile was his undoing. She broke him apart and reforged him into something infinitely more than he had been before. Anything was possible. Anything, so long as he had her in his arms.

  He rolled their bodies to one side and tucked her close to his chest, taking in her soft, feminine scent. It was a scent he now realized he should have recognized because it was hers, had always been hers, even when she’d scampered about his home disguised as Tom.

  “Do you love me the way I love you?” he whispered, stroking her hair back from her sleeping face. He knew she couldn’t possibly hear him in the land of dreams, yet her lips curved up in a smile that sent his pulse racing and a wild joy fluttering through him.

  “I hope so, because you are my heart now. I live and breathe only for you.” He kissed her lips and closed his eyes. He felt as though he’d been a dreamer, half-awake his entire life, and now he was truly alive because he’d finally found his other half. He finally understood the power love wielded in a man’s heart.

  His father was right. Love was stronger than hate. Love was everything.

  22

  Charles slipped out of bed in the early morning. After donning his clothes, he crept to the nursery. Katherine was awake and being tended to by Emily’s nurse.

  The nurse curtseyed. “Good morning, my lord.”

  Kat ran toward him, and he caught her up in his arms. “Unca Charles!”

  “I’ll be your papa soon. Would you like that?”

  She studied him, then laid one tiny hand on his jaw and nodded. “Papa Charles?”

  “That’s right.” He pressed a kiss to her forehead and held her close, his heart fit to burst as she curled her arms around his neck, hugging him back.

  “I have to go downstairs now, but you stay here and play with your nurse, all right?”

  The nurse’s eyes lit up as she smiled. “What a lucky child you are, Katherine, to have such a wonderful papa soon.” She led Katherine back to her pile of toys by the fire as Charles took his leave.

  He paused in the doorway, watching his daughter-to-be. It didn’t matter that she was Hugo’s by birth; she would belong to Charles in every way that mattered.

  As he came down the main stairs, he expected to find the house mostly empty, with everyone still asleep after their late and stressful evening. This was not the case.

  “Didn’t expect to see you up and about this early,” Godric said as he exited his study. “Breakfast?”

  “Very well, but then I must go. There’s much to be done today.” Charles followed Godric into the dining room. A sideboard laden with chafing dishes awaited them, fresh from the kitchen. As they ate in silence, Godric watched him.

  “No nightmares last night?” he finally asked. The question had been phrased casually, but they both knew the significance. Nightmares of that night in the Cam far too often haunted his dreams. Last night he’d drifted to sleep and hadn’t stirred once.

  “No, it was peaceful.”

  “Good. I was worried.”

  “She gives me peace, Godric. I don’t quite understand it, but I damn sure won’t question it.”

  Godric’s green eyes glinted with amusement. “You were always so convinced that love was going to destroy the League, that it would make us weaker. I trust you see now that isn’t true?”

  Charles sipped his tea and nodded, a rueful smile on his lips. “And I’m sure I won’t hear the end of that, either. But what if I’d never found someone who would be to me what Emily is to you? If I alone never found it, was never worthy of it. I do not think I could have endured that.”

  “But you have her now, and all will be well.”

  “That is my hope.” They shared a knowing look as Charles got up from the table. “I must return home and make preparations for the wedding.” He looked up at the ceiling, a sense of dread edging at the corners of his mind. “You’ll keep my ladies safe?”

  “With my life,” Godric vowed.

  “Thank you.” His throat always felt tight when his friends showed such loyalty and friendship to him. He could trust Lily and Kat’s safety to no one better.

  A footman brought him his hat and coat as he left the house. It was hard not to study the footman and wonder if this man might be in Hugo’s employ. How could he know which servants to trust? What about in his own household? Could there be another working for Hugo that Lily did not know about? Davis had served in the military. What if…? He repressed a shudder as he rushed down to his coach.

  Once home, he found Graham eating breakfast. His bruises had turned an ugly shade of black, and his arms moved stiffly as he buttered some toast.

  “How are you feeling?” Charles asked. “How’s Phillip?”

  “Still alive, thank the Lord, but he is so…broken. Not just in body, but in spirit. He hasn’t even woken yet except for once or twice to have a bit of water and broth. I’m worried, Charles. Phillip and I have been friends since we were boys. What if he doesn’t…” Graham dropped his toast on his plate and pushed it away, his appetite clearly gone.

  Charles came over and placed a hand on Graham’s shoulder. “He will rally. He’s a strong man, as are you.”

  “Strong? I daresay I am not. If I had been, he would not be lying bedridden upstairs.”

  “Don’t blame yourself,” Charles said. “I know the sort of men he fought. They are strong, but they have no honor. You were damned the moment Phillip lost that hand of cards. I suspect Sheffield told them to break him. And you.”

  “Perhaps, but it doesn’t ease my guilt.” Graham covered his face with his hands.

  Charles looked away, not wanting to intrude on his brother’s grief. When the moment had passed, he gripped Graham’s shoulder tight and then leaned down to softly whisper in his ear. “I need you to be strong now, brother. The man responsible is coming for me soon. I need you to find an excuse to take Ella and Mother north to Scotland, as far as you can in a week. Ashton’s brothers-in-law are there. They will take you in. Hopefully the roads will be passable for traveling. But you must act calm, play as though it’s a trip to see the sights. Do you understand?”

  “But—” Graham began, but Charles held a finger to his lips.

  “Shhh. The walls have ears.” He pretended to reach for a plate of food beside Graham.

  “Scotland?” Graham whispered back.

  “Yes. There will be a wedding soon. After that, you must go quickly.”

  Graham reached for his cup of tea. “A wedding? Whose?”

  Charles waited for him to take a deep sip. “Mine, of course.”

  Tea shot all over the table. “Yours?”

  “Yes. Congratulate me, brother.” Charles spoke in a normal voice now.

  “Good God, the world must be ending. Is it the woman Mother wanted to meet at the opera last night?”

  “Yes, Mrs. Lily Wycliff. She’s a widow, formerly married to a cousin of the Duchess of Essex. How did you know of the opera?”

  “Ella came by last night. She said Mrs. Wycliff looked stunning and was very sweet-natured.”

  Charles grinned. “She is certainly the most beautiful woman the world has ever seen. She puts Helen of Troy to shame.” She had even launched the proverbial thousand ships to war, just as Helen did.

  Graham stood and held out a hand to his brother. “I never thought I would see the day, but I am truly happy for you.”

  “Would you…” Charles swallowed hard. “Would you stand with me, at the wedding?”

  Graham was taken aback, his lips parted as he hesitated. “You want me there beside you?”

  “You’re my brother,” Charles said. “There’s no more deserving place for you than at my side.”

  Graham’s smile dropped as he looked away. “I’m sorry, I cannot.”

  Charles’s heart fell. “Why not?”

  “I have not been a proper brother to you. Too much time has passed for
me to take this place so easily. I wish for things to improve between us, but I must insist on one of your friends being there instead. They have been there for you when I have not.”

  Charles clasped his brother on the shoulder. “There is room enough for all of you, I wager. Don’t see it as a reflection of the past for us, but a promise for the future. Please, say you will stand by me.”

  Graham hugged Charles. “I happily accept the honor.” Charles smiled, feeling that wellspring of hope inside him again. Meeting Lily had changed everything in his life for the better. Well, almost everything. “Remember, after the wedding you must take Mother and Ella north.”

  Graham nodded as he let go of Charles. “Understood.”

  “Now, I must meet Ashton to acquire a special license from the Doctors’ Commons. I’ll see you later this evening.”

  Charles returned to his chamber and had Davis lay out a fresh set of clothes. After he bathed and dressed, he walked to Ashton’s house. Ash’s residence was on was Half Moon Street, only one block over from Charles’s home.

  Ashton was coming down the stairs as Charles was let in. “Charles!” He smiled as if he were genuinely surprised to see him there, ever the actor when it was required. There was a reason no one in the League played cards or chess with the man.

  “I thought you might like to accompany me to the Doctors’ Commons for a special license.”

  “I’d be honored. I heard the news only this morning. Rosalind is thrilled, of course.” He took a hat and coat from his footman and followed Charles outside to wait for Ashton’s coach. They both stood outside, the cold morning air cutting through them, but at least they were reasonably sure they were alone.

  “Graham will stand up with me for the wedding, as will you all, I hope. He’s going to take my mother and Ella to your wife’s relations in the north. Can you have Rosalind notify your brothers?”

  “Yes. I think it’s a splendid idea.”

  “What about Kent?” Charles asked. “It won’t be easy for him to move from my home.”

  “We may have to risk leaving him under your roof. I’m not sure there’s any other option.” Ashton tightened his gloves as his coach stopped at the base of the steps. Charles followed him inside and waited until the vehicle was in motion again so the clatter of hooves would keep the driver from eavesdropping.

  “What is our next move?”

  “There’s only one left to make. Lily must go back to Hugo.”

  Terror squeezed Charles’s heart. “What? She can’t. That’s too dangerous. What if her deception has been noticed?”

  “She must or else her deception will be noticed. He will expect her to report on the wedding plans so that he may make his own. With luck, he may reveal to her what his next move will be, and that is information we desperately need.”

  Charles wanted to argue the point, but Ashton was right. “I don’t like it.”

  “I know this will be hard for you, Charles. You’re finally feeling what the rest of us feel, that wild, desperate desire to protect the woman you love. It makes us irrational and unpredictable at times, but if you cannot learn to control it, you will only make things more dangerous for her. You must trust her. She has been well trained. She would have to be to escape my detection for almost a year.”

  “I suppose that is true.” The last thing he wanted was to put Lily in any more danger because he couldn’t control himself.

  “Now, you should focus on the wedding. There’s still much to be done. Leave the game of chess to me and your future wife.” Ashton’s grim smile only made Charles more nervous. Ashton was welcome to play games all he liked, but not at the expense of Lily’s safety.

  She comes first. Always.

  23

  Lily’s hands trembled slightly as she entered a bookshop just off Bond Street. The dark-rose gown and yellow-gold cloak she wore made her feel out of place amid the shanty shelves and dusty tomes. Motes of dust danced and swirled in the beams of light cutting through the windows and illuminating the gilded spines of the books stacked thickly behind her.

  An old man sat behind the counter, sleeping, the soft repetitive sound of his snores a comfort in the thick silence of the musty little shop. In the last year she’d grown accustomed to meeting Hugo in clandestine, often dangerous places. To meet now in such a quaint little shop, just a street away from the where most of the ton were shopping for Christmas, was strange. But this was where his message had instructed her to meet.

  She leaned against the nearest shelf and looked out onto the street. Lily closed her eyes but a moment, replaying how Charles had looked just before she left Emily’s house to come here. He had pulled her into an alcove and wrapped her in his arms. He hadn’t wanted her to go, but Ashton was right—she had to. The moment she had confessed herself to Charles, this had become her battle as much as his. She had pressed herself into him, letting the beat of her heart match his.

  The memory of their making love had left a beautiful magic that seemed to run beneath her skin whenever Charles was near. It was as though she could summon the feel of their union in her mind and body over and over. She’d always remember the bliss of looking into his eyes and seeing the world born anew. It was his memory she would carry into this meeting like a shield against Hugo.

  With a stolen kiss, she had vowed to come back safe to him. He had promised to spend the afternoon with Kat and his mother, making their wedding plans.

  Lily tensed as the shop door opened, and her heart stuttered to a stop. Hugo had arrived. He removed his hat and glanced calmly around the room. He meandered toward her, pausing every few seconds to look at the ramshackle shelves as though perusing the titles. Lily glanced at the old man behind the counter, who was still snoring rhythmically.

  When he finally reached her, Lily went rigid. Every muscle coiled tight. She forced the black memories of what he’d done to her deep into the recesses of her mind and instead wrapped herself in memories of Charles. The way he’d lingered with her in the alcove, his hands clinging to her before he finally let her go.

  “I hear wedding bells will finally ring?” Hugo said casually.

  “Yes. The wedding is to be in a few days.”

  “So soon? I’d have preferred more time to prepare. Is this your doing?”

  She shook her head. “Given the time of year, he wishes to honeymoon here in London with his friends before their families leave for the holidays.”

  Hugo gave a cold smile. “I will manage.” Lily wished she’d brought one of Emily’s muffs instead of only wearing gloves.

  “What must I do next?” she asked, careful to keep her tone calm. He could not suspect any change in her demeanor, or she would doom herself and destroy any advantage the League had.

  His eyes narrowed. “Eager for orders?”

  “Eager for this to end.” She allowed her weariness to show. It was no act. “I want to be free of you and this life. I want to take my child away from London and never look back.”

  He studied her a long moment, assessing her for any hint of deception. But every word had been the truth, just not the way he thought.

  “That was the agreement. Fear not, plans are being made. I’ll give him his precious honeymoon. Then perhaps I’ll take away something he loves, to remind him he will never be safe.”

  “Still with the games?” Lily said, though she knew she was in danger of angering Hugo by saying it. “I thought you were ready to move against him? To end this once and for all?”

  “I am ready,” said Hugo. “I have already decided on an appropriate venue. Someplace Charles will think he has a…fighting chance. But I have no desire to end things too quickly.”

  Lily sighed inwardly. He was still not done with his torturous games? “What do you wish for me to do next?” she pressed carefully, not wanting him to know she was trying to glean further hints of his plans.

  Hugo grabbed her upper arm, his hand squeezing hard. He dragged her close to him, and the familiar scent of his soap made bile ris
e in her throat. She hadn’t been able to clean the scent off her skin fast enough after that night with him.

  “You are to give Lonsdale a very satisfying honeymoon. I want him to have a taste of marital bliss. That will make his downfall all the sweeter.” He released her arm, and his gaze shot to the window at the front of the shop, then back to her.

  “Soon this will all be over,” he said, a distracted look now in his eyes. “And you will have earned your freedom.”

  Then he left her, exiting the shop before Lily could say anything else. She sagged against the bookshelves, clutching her arm, which still throbbed. It was going to bruise and Charles would be furious, but at least she was safe.

  She waited several minutes, giving Hugo time to leave the immediate area. Her gaze turned to the gilded spines gleaming in the sunlight streaming through the window. She wished now more than ever that she could slip between the pages of a book and vanish into a story. But there was no escaping this. She could only see it through to the end.

  Taking a deep breath to clear her head, she pulled the hood of her cloak up and exited the shop, calling a hackney back to Emily’s house. Inside, she heard voices coming from the drawing room.

  Katherine was screaming.

  The sound sent a flash of terror through Lily. She burst into the drawing room and froze. Charles was holding Kat up in the air, spinning her in circles. She was screaming in delight, not from fear.

  “Again, Unca Charles! Again!” Kat waved her chubby arms as he carefully lowered her back onto his chest. The look of relief on his face when he saw Lily in the doorway stirred her heart.

  “You’re back!” he exclaimed and rushed over.

  “Mama!” Kat waved, and Charles transferred the squirming child into her arms.

  “Sweetheart.” She buried her face in Kat’s hair, taking in her child’s sweet scent, letting it bury the memory of Hugo’s.

  Charles curled an arm around her shoulders, drawing her and Kat into a loose but comforting embrace. “How did it go?”