Read Online Her Wicked Proposal: The League of Rogues, Book 3 by Lauren Smith - Free Book Online

fingers, which had curled in his shirt, tensed.
    “Well, the way Cedric told it, she came to him and asked him to propose to her.”
    “How strange. Why?”
    “You’re asking a man, darling. I don’t claim to be a scholar in the mysteries of women. Cedric told us she had become a target for fortune hunters and marrying him would put an end to it.” Godric didn’t seem to think there was anything more to it than that.
    “How long until the wedding? She’ll be out of mourning next April, and that would make a lovely time for—”
    Godric interrupted Emily’s marital musings. “Next week.”
    “Next week ?” Emily squeaked. “But she can’t! It’s unheard of. You know how society can be on such matters, their penchant for cruelty. She’ll be gossiped about for months! Her father barely dead and she’s running off with one of the League of Rogues? I know we all know the truth, but the ton will make up whatever venomous stories it pleases.”
    “I have a feeling neither she nor Cedric cares about society. He’s blind and she’s been on the shelf for years.”
    Leave it to Godric to boil down two complex personalities so bluntly, she thought.
    “You may be right, but shouldn’t we at least caution them?”
    “I won’t. Damn the ton . Let them wag their chins. It will all be over when the next scandal sweeps through the assembly rooms. I’ll stand by Cedric in St. George’s next week no matter what. He needs this marriage, Emily. He’s been broken since the accident, in spirit as well as body. But when he was telling us about his engagement, I heard hope in his voice for the first time. If a speedy marriage can cure him of his blue devils, then I’m all for it.”
    Emily rested her head on his shoulder, her fingers playing with the now crumpled cravat tied at her husband’s neck. “You’re right.”
    “Of course I am,” Godric said imperiously. Emily pinched him in the arm and he yelped.
    “You little…” He started to tickle her waist, Emily’s greatest weakness, and she dissolved into a fit of giggles until she was gasping for mercy.
    “Do you think they’ll be happy, Godric?” Emily asked.
    He ran a fingertip down her upturned little nose, and she couldn’t help but admire the flush of life in his face and the glimmer of love in his bewitching green eyes. How had she been so blessed to have him fall in love with her?
    “They may need some artful nudging. I believe you are the expert in that field, so I shall leave it to your careful ministrations.” His hands stroked up and down her back, the intimate and tender gesture filling her with warmth.
    “I am, am I? And just what artful nudging have I done lately?”
    Godric smirked and slid her onto his lap. “I believe this will refresh your memory.” He groaned in pleasure as she squirmed, feeling his erection beneath her bottom.
    “You’re of a particular single-mindedness today, aren’t you, my love?”
    “All this talk of babies and marriage has put me in the mood to make sure we do in fact get those babies.” Godric captured his wife’s mouth before she could reply. She knew they would spend the rest of the afternoon working on this newfound interest.
    * * * * *
    Anne took Cedric’s offered hand as he guided her into the coach. She watched in silent interest as he tapped the tip of his cane against the metal step that hung down from the door. He looked handsome in his black evening clothes, clean-shaven and brown hair tamed just enough to give the impression that he’d risen from bed after a night of rough play and combed his hands through it.
    Once Cedric seemed certain the step was there, he raised a booted foot up and slowly lowered it down. This gave him confidence, and he reached out for the edges of the coach’s open doorway.
    “Here, let me help…” Anne began.
    “I’m fine!” Cedric snapped as he climbed into the coach and felt around him for the seat. When he sat down directly next to her, he jabbed his cane