The Last Rogue by Connie Mason

Author:Connie Mason
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Publisher: Leisure Books
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Twelve

The coach Luc had hired was waiting for them the following morning. With Baron tied behind the vehicle, they started out on a glorious late summer day. Since they were in no hurry to reach London, the coachman was instructed to travel at a relaxed pace. They stopped at country inns when it became too dark to travel, ate a leisurely meal and retired to their room early, making love each night until their bodies were sated.

The passing scenery enthralled Bliss. She never tired of looking out the window at the changing terrain as the miles sped by, for she had not traveled so far inland before.

On the two days that it rained, the coach rolled through mud and rutted roads that made the vehicle lurch awkwardly. But the occupants didn’t seem to mind. On those days Luc showed Bliss how pleasurable making love inside a pitching coach could be.

They reached the outskirts of London seven days after leaving Plymouth. As the coach rambled across London Bridge, Bliss was agog with excitement. She tried to take everything in at once—houses crowded together, their balconies overhanging the narrow street, vendors hawking their wares, beggars with their hands out, women dumping night soil into the gutters and upon passersby, and an occasional streetwalker propositioning a potential customer.

“Some sections of London are not safe,” Luc warned, “especially for a woman. It’s always wise to take a footman or maid with you when you venture abroad, even in the better neighborhoods.”

Aghast, Bliss asked, “You mean I can’t go out alone... ever?”

“That’s correct. London isn’t St. Ives. Besides, you’re a viscountess now and must follow the dictates of society.”

Bliss sent him a disgruntled glare. “Do you follow the dictates of society?”

Luc laughed. “Me? No, I follow my own dictates.”

“Then so shall I,” Bliss declared.

Luc’s frown signaled his displeasure. “It doesn’t work that way. Society women are more restricted in their movements than the women of your acquaintance. That’s the way of the world.”

“Not my world,” Bliss argued. “I’ve always come and gone as I pleased. I’m not sure I’m going to like London. Does your family have an estate in the country?”

“I have my own estate, but I rarely go there. Westwind Manor in Kent belonged to my mother. As you know, I don’t fancy country living. I keep a skeleton staff there and have an excellent estate manager.”

Bliss perked up. She could always retire to the country when London began to pall. But that might not be anytime soon. She was completely fascinated by London and couldn’t wait to sample everything the city had to offer.

When the coach entered an area of broader streets with well-dressed people strolling about, she knew she was seeing a different side of London.

“That’s Hyde Park,” Luc said, pointing to a huge green area with serpentine walkways, horse trails, benches, tall trees and trimmed shrubbery. “It’s the place to be seen. I’ll take you for a carriage ride in the park one day soon. There are many things

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