Page 21 of Until the Rake Surrenders (Rogue Rules #5)

Min and Evan’s wedding day was unique in that the bride’s mother was absent due to “illness.” In truth, she had not been included in their plans.

Jo hosted the wedding breakfast at Henlow House. It was her first official duty as the Countess of Shefford. Min had never been happier.

And yet there was a hole in Min’s heart because Ellis wasn’t there either. She’d finally written, at least, but it had been to politely decline the invitation to the wedding. She just wasn’t ready to see everyone, and that included her two half sisters. Persey had stood up with Min, and now they were gathered with the rest of the Rogue Rules Club in the library at Henlow House.

Min swallowed past the lump in her throat as Ellis’s absence now seemed most keen. They were not the full club without her. Even Iona was present. She was in London visiting her sister, Lady Kathleen, and Min had been delighted to invite her today. The other members of the club had greeted—and accepted—her warmly.

Pandora sat beside Min on the settee. She’d journeyed from Bath to attend the wedding and to visit her sister and her family. And to present what was, by now, a tradition when one of their club married: an embroidered copy of the rogue rules.

Handing Min the wrapped package, Pandora smirked. “I’m sure you know what this is.”

“I think I do,” Min replied with a laugh. She opened the package and gasped. The embroidery included stitched forget-me-nots and pink roses. Min had told Pandora the story of the pink dungeon and Evan’s penchant for blue and brown.

“I love it. How ever did you embroider this so quickly?” Min asked.

“I confess I started it before Evan proposed.” Pandora shrugged. “Even if you didn’t marry, I thought someone else might. I added the flowers after you became betrothed.”

There weren’t many “someones” left.

“Do you include yourself in that number?” Tamsin, Baroness Droxford, asked with a sly smile.

“Absolutely not ,” Pandora said with a firm shake of her head.

“That leaves our newest member,” Persey noted. They all turned their heads toward Iona, who was seated in a chair.

Iona’s eyes widened slightly. “I expect I will marry, but I’m in no hurry. Though, if my mother has anything to say about it, I will be wed by spring.”

“Before the London Season?” Gwen, Min’s new sister-in-law, asked.

“I am not planning on participating in the Season,” Iona said. “I don’t feel as though I belong.”

“But your brother is an earl,” Tamsin said, her brow creasing.

“My half brother. My father was his father’s steward. Some people can’t see past that. And we’re Irish,” Iona added with a wry tilt of her brow.

Jo gave her an understanding nod. “I don’t blame you. People can be awful.”

“If anyone is rude to you, I hope you’ll tell me,” Min said fiercely. “I will not tolerate anyone who is cruel.”

“We will all look out for one another,” Persey said. She looked to Iona. “If you do have a Season, we’ll make sure it’s splendid.”

“That’s kind of you.” Iona smiled. “If I am married before next August, I may not be able to join you all in Weston, and I am looking forward to that more than anything.”

“Do not marry a man who won’t allow you to spend your summer holiday in Weston,” Persey said vehemently.

“Is that a new rogue rule?” Iona asked.

“No, it’s just good advice,” Jo replied, to which Persey nodded in agreement.

“I’m glad we’ll all be in Weston together,” Gwen said with a smile. “I know it will become challenging as our families grow.” She gently touched her midsection, and there were gasps and smiles around the room.

“Are you expecting too?” Tamsin asked.

Gwen nodded. “It turns out my illness was for a specific reason.”

“Somerton must be thrilled,” Min said with a grin. “I certainly am. I’m to be an aunt two times over next year.” Ellis would be an aunt too, for Jo was her half sister. “I do hope Ellis comes to Weston.” Min didn’t think they could assume she would. She’d said in her letter that she was determining her path in life and wasn’t yet sure what it would be.

Min’s statement sobered everyone.

“She’ll come around,” Persey said softly. “We’ll just be here for her until she’s ready to share her plans.”

The lump re-formed in Min’s throat, so she nodded. She did not like being melancholy on what should be the happiest day of her life so far. Shaking her doldrums away, she looked back down at the embroidered rogue rules in her lap. She still couldn’t quite believe she’d married her very own rogue.

“What do you suppose it says about us that we’ve all married reformed rogues?” she asked.

This was met with laughter.

Pandora looked to Iona. “It’s up to you to marry a nonrogue.”

“Perhaps it will be you,” Iona said. “If anyone deserves that, you do.” She knew all about Pandora’s past with Bane and the origin of the Rogue Rules Club.

“As I said earlier, absolutely not . I don’t care if he’s the nonroguiest rogue who ever lived. I have come to treasure my independence. And I’ve a meeting with the publisher for my novel next week. I sent a note when I arrived in town, and they invited me to meet with them.”

“That’s wonderful!” Min gushed as the others did the same.

“Will you be publishing with your name?” Tamsin asked.

Pandora shook her head. “No, I shall be anonymous. I think my name has seen enough notoriety.”

Persey looked at her sister with immense pride. “Well, we will all know who the author is, and we could not be prouder.”

They visited for a short while before returning to the drawing room. Guests began to depart, and when, at last, Min and Evan were alone, she collapsed on a settee. Kicking off her slippers, she put her feet up on the cushions.

Evan lifted her legs and slid beneath them. He massaged her feet, and Min let out a soft sigh of pleasure.

“Careful, Mrs. Price.” Though she was still Lady Minerva, she’d told Evan when he’d teasingly called her that earlier that she liked it. It showed that she was definitively his, and that made her giddy. “You keep making sounds like that, and I can’t be responsible for my actions.” He gave her a wicked leer.

Min’s heart flipped. The way he looked at her never failed to stir her emotions as well as her desire. She hoped it would always be thus, and—perhaps surprisingly—truly believed it would.

“Our chamber isn’t far.” She moved her foot to gently caress his groin.

Evan groaned. “The things you do, my wife. I look forward to when we have our own home.”

“Soon, my love.” In fact, they planned to purchase one nearby on Duke Street. Evan had been hesitant at first because it was expensive, but they could afford it with Min’s dowry. “Thank you again for agreeing to the house on Duke Street.”

“I suppose I never imagined I’d be living in Mayfair, married to the daughter of a duke.” His hands moved up beneath her skirts from her foot to her ankle, and one traveled even farther toward her knee.

“I never imagined I’d marry a rogue.” Min became very aware of his wandering hand, and her body began to heat. “You’re certain you don’t mind hanging my new embroidery in our bedchamber?”

“Absolutely not. Between the forget-me-nots and the pink roses, it is a wonderful reminder of how we fell in love.” His hand was now on her thigh, and he’d scooted himself over so that her backside was pressed against the side of his thigh.

“Should we adjourn to the bedchamber?” Min suggested as his fingers found their way to her sex. She parted her legs, inviting him to continue despite her question.

“We probably should,” he murmured. But he stroked her folds and teased her clitoris in a breathtaking assault. “Though, there’s a risk in staying here that is arousing, is there not? Anyone could walk in.” He thrust his finger into her sex.

Min clenched her jaw to keep from moaning. She moved her hips against his hand and closed her eyes as she leaned her head back on the arm of the settee. “You are very naughty, Mr. Price.” She gasped as he found that delightful spot deep inside her sex that made her quiver.

He suddenly removed his hand and pulled her up. “I’m afraid there are too many naughty things I wish to do. This risky location simply won’t do.” He kissed her, long and deep, until her body thrummed with desire.

When the kiss ended, he did not move. She opened her eyes and saw him looking at her. He was so close—their lips almost touching—that she could see all the golden flecks in his dark eyes that made them sparkle.

“I love you, Min,” he breathed, a smile lifting his lips.

Another lump formed briefly in her throat. Apparently, today was a day for emotions. “I love you.” She caressed his cheek. “I can’t believe how lucky we are, that our friendship became so much more.”

“Can I tell you that I hated you calling yourself my ‘sister-friend’?” He made a face.

Min laughed. “Why?”

“Because I knew even then that to describe you as anything sisterly was an abomination. My feelings for you are not brotherly. They are wholly primal and completely focused on mating—in every way. You are my partner in all things, my light in this life, and my love for all time.”

A shiver danced up Min’s spine, followed by a warm suffusing of joy through every part of her. This was what she’d dared to want. “You have made all my dreams come true, Evan.”

He kissed her again before standing and sweeping her into his arms. “I never plan to stop.”

Join Ellis in London as she accepts a job as a secretary—as a man—for the Marquess of Keele, a widower who doesn’t believe he can find happy ever after a second time. But when their wounded hearts meet and unexpected sparks fly, can they take the risk of falling in love?

Don’t miss the next Rogue Rules book, SINCE THE MARQUESS DEMANDS.