A Rogue by Any Other Name #6

Dear M—

may think that since you’ve returned to school, I’ve been in a constant state of  ennui  (note the use of French), but you would be entirely wrong. The excitement is nearly overwhelming.

The bull got loose from Lord Langford’s pasture two nights ago, and he (the bull, not the viscount) had a fine time knocking down fences and making the acquaintance of the cattle in the area until he was captured this morning, by Mr. Bullworth. I wager you wish you were home, don’t you?

Always—P

Needham Manor, September 1815

 

* * *

 

Dear P—

I believed you until the bit about Bullworth capturing his namesake. Now, I’m convinced you’re merely attempting to lure me home with your extravagant tales of attempted animal husbandry.

Though, I would be lying if I told you it wasn’t working. I wish I’d been there to see the look on Langford’s face. And the smile on yours.

—M

post script—I am happy to see that your governess is teaching you something. Très bon.

Eton College, September 1815

 

Dawn had barely broken when Bourne paused outside the room where he had left Penelope the night before, the cold and his thoughts joining forces to keep him from rest.

He’d paced the house, haunted by the memories of the empty rooms, waiting for the sun to rise on the day when he would see Falconwell restored to its right and proper owner.

Tender Rebel #5

 

“Well, m’dear, do you believe me now?” Frances whispered, coming up behind Roslynn, who stood in a circle of admirers, none of whom had left her alone since she arrived at this ball, the third such affair in as many days.

The question was innocent enough, if anyone had heard, but no one had. Though the eyes of the gentlemen present returned continuously to Roslynn in her teal satin gown, their attention was momentarily engaged by a friendly argument about some race that was supposed to take place tomorrow. She had started the argument, which seemed the thing to do since it broke up the previous argument about who was to dance with her next. She was quite tired of dancing, especially with Lord Bradley, who must have the biggest feet this side of the Scottish border.

Fortunately, or unfortunately in Roslynn’s case, she didn’t need to ask Frances to explain her question. Frances had asked it once too often in the last days, quite thrilled that she had been right about Roslynn’s reception by the ton and Roslynn had been wrong. She was rubbing it in good, taking Roslynn’s success personally, as if it were her own.

Tender Rebel #4

 

“Well, youngun? What boring bit of nonsense have you to impart? Will it do?” Anthony leaned casually against the doorjamb, watching Jeremy survey his new room with obvious delight.

“Hell’s bells, Uncle Tony, I—”

“Stop right there.” Anthony put on his most unnerving scowl for the lad’s benefit. “You can uncle my brothers to death if you like, but a simple Tony will do here, thank you.”

Jeremy smiled widely, not at all intimidated. “It’s great, 

Tony, it really is. The room, the house, you. I can’t thank you en—”

“Then don’t, please,” Anthony cut in quickly. “And before you go on with this bloody hero worship, be apprised I’m going to thoroughly debauch you, dear boy. Serve your father right for entrusting you in my care.”

Tender Rebel #3

“But I don’t understand, Ros,” Lady Frances leaned forward to say. “Why would you want to tie yourself to a man when you don’t have to? I mean, if you were already in love, that’d be different. But you’re talking about marrying someone you haven’t even met yet.”

“Frances, if I hadn’t promised, do you really think I’d do it?” Roslynn asked.

“Well, I should certainly hope not—but who’s to know if you don’t keep the promise? I mean, your grandfather’s dead and—” Frances broke off at the look on her friend’s face. “Forget I said that.”

“I will.”

The Secret #2

 

She was waiting on her doorstep.

Lady Judith had been given advance warning, of course. Two days before, her cousin Lucas had spotted the four Scottish warriors just a stone’s throw away from the border crossing near Horton Ridge. Lucas hadn’t been there by chance, he had been diligently following his aunt Millicent’s instructions, and after nearly a month of twiddling his thumbs and daydreaming the early summer evenings away, he’d spotted the Scots. He’d been so surprised to see the full-blooded Highlanders, he almost forgot what he was supposed to do next. Memory quickly returned, however, and he rode at a dust-choking pace all the way to Lady Judith’s remote holding to tell her she’d best prepare herself for the visitors.

There hadn’t been much for Judith to do to ready herself. Since the day word had reached her through the intricate gossip vine that Frances Catherine was expecting, she’d had most of her baggage packed and all of her friend’s gifts wrapped in pretty pink lace ribbons.

Tender Rebel #2

“And you wondered who his tailor is?” the Honorable William Fairfax snickered aside to his young friend. “Told you his tailor had nothing to do with it, didn’t I? You want to turn yourself out in a reasonable facsimile, best take up the gloves. He’s been at it for more’n a dozen years, so I hear.”

William’s young friend, Cully, flinched at the sound of leather connecting with solid flesh again, but squinted his eyes open this time. He had closed them tight a few minutes ago when the first dribble of blood had appeared from an abused nose. He shuddered now, for that same abused nose was gushing blood, and so was the swollen mouth below it, and so was a split brow above it.

The Secret #1

Scotland, 1200

Iain Maitland was a mean son of a bitch when he was riled.

He was riled now. The black mood came over him the minute his brother Patrick told him about the promise he’d given his sweet wife, Frances Catherine.

If Patrick had wanted to surprise his brother, he’d certainly accomplished that goal. His explanation had rendered Iain speechless.

The condition didn’t last long. Anger quickly took over. In truth, the ridiculous promise his brother had given his wife wasn’t nearly as infuriating to Iain as the fact that Patrick had called the council together to render their official opinion on the matter. Iain would have stopped his brother from involving the elders in what he considered to be a private, family matter, but he’d been away from the holding at the time, hunting down the Maclean bastards who’d waylaid three unseasoned Maitland warriors, and when he’d returned home, weary but victorious, the deed had already been done.

A Rogue by Any Other Name #5

 

She woke in the dim light of the fire with an unbearably cold nose and an unbearably warm everything else.

Disoriented, she blinked several times, taking in the unfamiliar surroundings before the glowing embers in the fireplace and the rose-colored walls brought clarity.

She was lying on her back in the nest of blankets she had arranged before she’d fallen asleep, and she was covered with a large and warm one that smelled wonderful. She buried her frigid nose in the fabric and inhaled deeply, trying to place the smell—a blend of bergamot and tobacco flower.

A Rogue by Any Other Name #4

 

Penelope reached out and took hold of the whiskey, snatching it from Michael’s hand and considering, for a fleeting moment, drinking deep, for surely there was no better time than this to begin a life of drink.

“I will not marry you!”

“I’m afraid it’s done.”

Indignation flared. “It is most certainly not done!” She clutched the bottle to her chest and began to push past him toward the door. When he did not move, she stopped, a hairsbreadth away, her cloak brushing against him. She stared directly into his serious, hazel gaze, refusing to bend to his ridiculous will. “Step aside, Lord Bourne. I am returning home. You are a madman.”

A Rogue by Any Other Name, #3

Dear M—

A gift! How extravagant. School is certainly turning you into a fine man; last year, you gave me a half-eaten piece of gingerbread. I shall be very excited to see what you’ve planned.

I suppose this means I shall have to find a gift for you as well.

Soonest—P

Needham Manor, November 1813

 

* * *

Dear P—

That was excellent gingerbread. I should have known that you wouldn’t appreciate my generosity in the slightest. Whatever happened to the thought and how well it counts?

It will be good to be home. I’ve missed Surrey. And you, Sixpence (though it pains me to admit it).

—M

Eton College, November 1813

Flee!

Tender Rebel #1

England, 1818

“Are ye scared, hinny?”

Roslynn Chadwick turned away from the coach window and the passing scenery she had been staring at for the last hour without actually seeing. Scared? She was alone in the world now with no guardian, no family worth mentioning. She was on her way to an uncertain future and leaving behind all that was familiar to her. Scared? She was terrified.

But Nettie MacDonald wasn’t to know that, not if Roslynn could help it. Nettie was too uneasy herself, had been ever since they’d crossed the English border yesterday morning, though she too tried to hide it by turning querulous, as was her way. Nettie had been all chipper and cheer before that, even while crossing the Lowlands, which she disdained. A Highlander all her life, and that was forty-two years’ worth, Nettie never thought the day would come when she would be forced to leave her beloved Highlands, let alone cross the border into England. England! But Nettie wouldn’t be left behind, no, not dear Nettie.

Tender Rebel, Sinopsis

 

Tender Rebel

Lady Roslynn Chadwick harus segera menikah demi menyelamatkan diri dan warisan keluarganya dari tangan sepupunya yang tamak dan kejam. Oleh karena itu, ia pergi ke London untuk mencari suami. Tapi, Roslynn sudah bertekad tidak akan jatuh cinta pada pria tampan namun berkelakuan buruk yang digila-gilai kaum wanita, karena ia tahu itu sama saja dengan membiarkan hatinya hancur berkeping-keping. Dan semua kualitas itu ada dalam diri Anthony Malory. Tapi siapa sangka Roslynn justru “tertawan” pada pria itu, meskipun ia tahu bahwa Anthony adalah lelaki paling ditakuti sekaligus bujangan paling diminati para wanita di London.

Chapter Two, A Rogue by Any Other Name

Dear M—

You absolutely must come home. It’s dreadfully boring without you; neither Victoria nor Valerie makes for a sound lakeside companion.

Are you very sure that you must attend school? My governess seems fairly intelligent. I’m sure she can teach you anything you need know.

Yrs—P

Needham Manor, September 1813

* * *

Chapter One, A Rogue By Any Other Name

Early January 1831

He did not move when he heard the door to the private room open and close quietly.

He stood in the darkness, silhouetted by the painted window overlooking the main room of London’s most exclusive gaming hell. From the club floor, the window appeared as nothing but a stunning work of art—a massive piece of stained glass depicting the fall of Lucifer. In brilliant hues, the enormous angel—six times the size of the average man—tumbled toward the pit floor, cast into London’s dark corners by Heaven’s Army.

The Fallen Angel.

The Secret, Prolog

England, 1181

They became friends before they were old enough to understand they were supposed to hate each other.

The two little girls met at the annual summer festival held on the border between Scotland and England. It was Lady Judith Hampton’s first experience attending the Scottish games, her first real outing away from her isolated home in the west of England as well, and she was so overwhelmed by the sheer adventure of it all, she could barely keep her eyes closed during her mandatory afternoon naps. There was so much to see and do, and for a curious four-year-old, a good deal of mischief to get into, too.

The Secret

Judith Hampton dan Frances Catherine Kirkaldy telah bersahabat sejak kecil walaupun mereka berasal dari dua negara yang saling bermusuhan. Judith berasal dari Inggris, sedangkan Frances Catherine berasal dari Skotlandia. Namun, hal itu tidak menyurutkan niat Judith yang telah berjanji untuk membantu persalinan Frances Catherine di Skotlandia.

A Rogue by Any Other Name, Bourne

Bourne

London

Winter 1821

The eight of diamonds ruined him.

If it had been the six, he might have saved himself. If it had been the seven, he would have walked away with triple his holdings.

But it was the eight.

Beyond The Highland Mist #11

Hawk? Menyanyi? Lagu nina bobo?

Syair berbahasa Galia terdengar mendesah namun berat – mengapa sebelumnya Adrienne tak pernah mengira lelaki ini bersuara lembut? Saat bicara, ia seperti kucing yang mendengkur, saat menyanyi, sepertinya ia mampu merayu Kepala Biarawati Gereja Hati Kudus.

“Penasaran? Aku melihatmu datang atas kemauanmu sendiri.” Aksen suaranya menggema saat ia menyelesaikan lagunya.

“Datang ke mana?” Adrienne menukas.

“Untuk dilatih oleh tanganku sendiri.” Nada suaranya terdengar senang, dan Adrienne mendengar gesekan kain kiltnya saat Hawk beringsut di kegelapan.

A Rogue By Any Other Name, Sinopsis

 

Pada usia dua puluh delapan tahun, Lady Penelope Marbury sudah menerima lima pinangan, yang semuanya tidak berujung dengan pernikahan. Pertunangan yang dibatalkan serta hubungan yang mengecewakan selama bertahun-tahun membuat Penelope sudah tidak mendambakan pernikahan yang dulu ia idam-idamkan.

The Bride #8

Jamie tidak percaya dengan apa yang didengarnya. Desakan untuk menangis sudah tak tertahankan. “Alec?” bisiknya, terdengar jelas kekhawatiran dalam suaranya. “Kau pasti tidak sungguh-sungguh.”

“Sudah kubilang diam,” perintah si bandit. Ia menjambak rambut Jamie lagi dengan kejamnya untuk mempertegas perintahnya.

Jamie menginjak kaki lelaki itu sebagai pembalasan.

Lucky Penny #12

Well, kedengarannya menarik. David duduk dan membetulkan posisi topinya. Ia sudah pernah melihat wanita gugup di masa lalu, tapi Brianna tampak seperti akan hancur berkeping-keping. Jaketnya, yang menenggelamkan Brianna, berkelepak di sekitar pahanya. Jari-jari Brianna saling terjalin, dengan kukunya menekan keras, lalu ia membuat gerakan memutar dengan pergelangan tangannya dan terdengar kertak dari tulang-tulangnya yang rapuh.

The Reluctant Viking #9

 Ruby melihat beberapa penonton laki-laki mengangguk mengerti dan melanjutkan. “Lukanya begitu parah sehingga dia berharap agar cepat mati, tapi tetap saja dia terluka ketika istrinya yang masih muda tidak menginginkan pernikahan dengan laki-laki yang cacat.

Ruangan itu sunyi seperti kuburan. Ia sudah mendapatkan perhatian penuh dari orang-orang Viking itu.

Beyond The Highland Mist #10

Kamar ini dibuat untuk bayi. Dibangun dengan penuh cinta sampai seolah terasa sesak. Gelombang perasaan yang bertentangan melanda sampai akhirnya ia berhasil mengusir semuanya.

Ada buayan yang terbuat dari kayu ek, diukir dan dipoles sedemikian halusnya sehingga tak ada satupun pecahan kayu yang bisa melukai kulit halus bayi yang ada di sana. Di dinding sebelah timur tergantung jendela-jendela tinggi, terlalu tinggi untuk dipanjat seorang anak, namjun terbuka untuk dapat menyaksikan sinar mentari pagi yang keemasan. Lantai kayu diselimuti kerpet tebal agar kaki-kaki si bayi tetap hangat.

Di atas rak berbaris serdadu-serdadu boneka yang dibuat dengan penuh cinta terbaring di tempat tidur mungil. Sebuah miniatur istana, dengan parit pengaman, jembatan dipenuhi oleh pahatan manusia-manusia kecil, rumah boneka abad pertengahan!

The Bride#7

Penjelasan Jamie terdengar konyol bahkan bagi dirinya sendiri. Wajahnya memerah dan ia pun mengernyit untuk menutupi rasa malu.

“Aku tadi bertanya apakah kau selalu serius begitu,” Alec mengingatkan Jamie sambil menyeringai.

“Oh, ya?”

Oh Tuhan, tolonglah dirinya, sepertinya ia tidak bisa memusatkan perhatian dalam percakapan ini. Semua ini salah Alec, tentu saja, karena pria itu tersenyum dan membuat otaknya berhenti bekerja.

“Iya.”

Lucky Penny #11

Setelah sisa-sisa sarapan dibersihkan dan alas tidur mereka dilipat kembali, David mengambil kuda dan keledai mereka, yang telah ditinggalkannya di tempat yang rumputnya lebih bagus. Berdiri beberapa meter dari pria itu, Brianna pura-pura sedang menyaksikan Daphne yang sedang mengumpulkan bunga, tapi sebenarnya ia mengamati David yang sedang memasang pelana ke atas kedua kuda mereka. Ricker tidak memerlukan dirinya untuk melakukan tugas itu, jadi, kalau David Paxton memang memiliki rencana jahat, ia harus tahu bagaimana memasang pelana agar bisa membawa Daphne menjauh dari pria itu.

Brianna mengira telah berhasil memperlihatkan kalau ia tidak tertarik pada kegiatan David sampai pria itu menyeringai dari atas pelana ketika sudah hampir selesai dan menyentuh pinggiran topinya. “Kau sudah paham? Apa aku harus melepaskan pelananya dan memasangnya kembali?”

The Reluctant Viking #8

Terkadang cubitan di pantat itu oke…

Tiga hari kemudian Thork dan rekan-rekannya membawa kuda mereka ke halaman di samping rumah Olaf.

Alis Thork terangkat ketika ia melihat Ruby duduk seperti seorang ratu di bawah naungan sebuah pohon di dekat sungai. Selusin anak-anak yang tertawa geli mengelilingi sambil memujanya, seperti hamba setia yang memohon “satu cerita lagi saja.” Ulf berdiri dengan waspada tak jauh dari mereka.

Setelah turun dari kuda, Thork menyerahkan tali kekangnya kepada Selik, yang membuatnya kesal karena menyeringai dengan terang-terangan ke arah Ruby sebelum masuk ke kandang. Ia sudah memperingatkan pemuda berdarah panas itu agar tidak mendekati Astrid kalau masih ingin hidup. Cnut berada tak jauh di belakang mereka, hampir tak bisa menahan tawanya.

Teman-temannya tahu kalau Thork dongkol pada panggilan mendadak yang mengganggu kunjungannya yang menyenangkan di manor kakeknya dan sudah tak henti-hentinya mengingatkan mereka semua atas kedongkolannya itu dalam perjalanan kembali ke Jorvik. Kehidupan selibat yang mau tak mau harus dijalaninya selama perjalanannya yang panjang di laut telah membuatnya semakin menghargai tawaran menggoda dari sang janda Viking, Linette, yang juga tinggal di rumah kakeknya. Tapi lebih dari itu, Linette telah membantunya untuk melupakan wanita pembawa masalah yang menunggunya di Jorvik. Dan ia sama sekali tidak senang harus kembali ke Jorvik untuk menghadiri pesta dansa di istana Sygtrygg, terutama ketika ia masih belum bosan dengan pesona Linette.

Neraka dan Valhalla! Sebenarnya bukan ketidakhadiran Linette yang mengganggu pikirannya. Ada banyak perempuan di Jorvik. Perempuan mana pun sama saja baginya dan memang selalu seperti itu. Suasana di istana itulah yang dibencinya.

The Bride #6

Alec menaiki punggung kuda jantannya dalam satu gerakan luwes. Kuda hitam yang besar itu mengangkat kaki belakangnya dengan gugup di samping Wildfire. Kuda Jamie sudah dalam kondisi kesal karena dipaksa berada di samping kuda jantan yang aromanya belum ia kenal, dan langsung berusaha mengangkat kaki depannya. Alec mengulurkan tangan, menyambar tali kekang Wildfire dari pengurus kuda yang tak acuh, dan memerintahkan kuda betina itu agar tenang.

Lucky Penny #10

Kalau wanita lain yang melemparkan hinaan itu kepadanya, David pasti akan terkekeh, tapi demi Daphne, ia harus bisa berteman dengan yang satu ini.

The Reluctant Viking #7

“A… apa?"

“Jangan paksa aku untuk mengulanginya lagi. Kau tidak akan menyukai akibatnya.” Mata biru Thork, sangat mirip dengan mata lembut suami Ruby, namun juga sangat berbeda, berkilat kejam penuh kemarahan.

The Bride #5

Jamie mengenakan gaun hitam dalam upacara pernikahannya. Pilihan pakaiannya murni merupakan sikap menentangnya agar orang-orang Skotlandia itu geram. Namun, Jamie sadar bahwa rencananya gagal begitu ia berjalan memasuki aula utama. Alec menatapnya satu kali dan tertawa. Ledakan suara Alec nyaris membuat kasau-kasau di sana ambruk.