How to Marry a Rogue by Anna Small

Author:Anna Small [Small, Anna]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Marriage of Convenience, Regency
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
Published: 2014-03-03T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Twenty-Two

“Your luck is appalling, my dear fellow. If it does not spend itself quickly, I fear you will have to accept my wife as payment for my debts.” Le Comte d’Oursy tugged at his lace cuffs before taking a pinch of snuff.

Jack leaned back into the stiff brocade chair and cracked his knuckles. “Your wife is too thin. I would prefer your eldest daughter, monsieur. Clarice, is it?”

“Careful, monsieur. My sense of humor is as fickle as your mistress’s affections.”

He snorted. “Which one?”

“I know you have many.” A nod of his head indicated the door. “Here comes one now. I have not seen this one before, but she must be new, as she appears to be spitting daggers at you.” He smirked. “She’s quite fresh and lovely, Jack. I applaud your exquisite taste. When you tire of her, please send her my way.” He gave an extravagant bow and tossed a roll of banknotes at Jack. “I bid you adieu, until the next time we meet.” The comte pushed away from the table and straightened his coat.

“Perhaps you will win it all back from me, though I doubt it.” Jack tucked his winnings inside his coat before he prepared to face Danielle. He ran his hands through his hair and half rose from his chair, a silent curse on his lips. He’d meant to write her, informing her of his newly wed status, but had been distracted of late to do so.

Calling Georgiana distracting was like calling the sea enormous.

Which was why he’d invented the excuse of dining out to spare her another night of passion. He’d sensed their growing closeness, despite both of their protestations they were merely friends. But it was hard to be friends with a woman who clung to his neck while she squirmed deliciously beneath him half the night. Impossible to remember they were friends, not lovers when her lips parted for him the moment they kissed. He was alarmed at how often he came up with a new excuse every night to escort her to her chamber. He’d checked the lamps, the chimney flue, and even a suspicious damp spot on the ceiling so many times she surely saw right through him.

“I would have called on you sooner, my dear…” His words broke in mid-sentence as he turned to face his scorned lover.

“Indeed? Then I have come at a most opportune time.” Georgiana’s clipped tone was contrary to her garish costume.

He almost laughed at his audible gulp, hiding his gleeful surprise she’d found him. God, he’d missed her, even if it had only been half a day since he’d seen her last. He’d wanted to put some distance between them but had spent most of the day lamenting her absence and counting the seconds until he was in his carriage heading home. He straightened to his full height, and she had to tip her head back to glare at him.

“What the devil are you doing here, Georgie? Has the house burnt to the ground, and you’ve come to fetch me?” He scanned her figure and did his best to look nonplussed.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.