A Rogue Meets His Match (The Rogue Chronicles Book 7) Read online

  A Rogue Meets His Match

  Book 7 of

  A Regency Romance

  Lana Williams

  USA Today Bestselling Author

  A Rogue Meets His Match

  Book 7 of The Rogue Chronicles

  By Lana Williams

  Sometimes the person right in front of you is who you’ve been looking for all along...

  Despite longing for a love of her own, Margaret Gold has no intention of marrying as she’s needed at home to help care for her ailing father. However, she can’t resist offering her opinion to her best friend’s brother when he wades into the Marriage Mart. But there is more to the handsome if irksome rogue than she realized. Much more. She soon finds herself hoping for his kiss and wishing her future’s course wasn’t already set.

  Edward Adley, the new Earl of Wynn, is determined to put his roguish ways behind upon his father’s death. The debt he inherited in addition to the title require him to marry an heiress, and the sooner the better. But he intends to choose with care to avoid an unhappy marriage like that of his parents. He certainly doesn’t need advice from his little sister’s best friend on potential brides. Yet Margaret’s intelligence and wit, not to mention the passion she stirs in him, have him reconsidering what he wants.

  Margaret tries to set aside her blossoming attraction for Edward and suggests the perfect debutante for his consideration. Yet her heart aches for more. Edward knows marrying Margaret won’t solve his financial woes, but it would allow him to follow his heart. If only he can convince her to consider him. Will one misstep steal their chance for a happy future?

  Table of Contents

  Other Books in the Series

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  Chapter Thirteen

  Chapter Fourteen

  Chapter Fifteen

  Chapter Sixteen

  Chapter Seventeen

  Chapter Eighteen

  Chapter Nineteen

  Chapter Twenty

  Chapter Twenty-One

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  Epilogue

  Other Books by the Author

  About the Author

  Copyright

  Other Books in The Rogue Chronicles Series

  ROMANCING THE ROGUE, Book 1

  A ROGUE’S REPUTATION, a Christmas Novella, Book 2

  A ROGUE NO MORE, Book 3

  A ROGUE TO THE RESCUE, Book 4

  A ROGUE AND SOME MISTLETOE, Book 5, a Christmas Novella

  TO DARE A ROGUE, Book 6

  A ROGUE MEETS HIS MATCH, Book 7

  THE ROGUE’S AUTUMN BRIDE, Book 8, Coming Autumn 2021

  A ROGUE’S CHRISTMAS KISS, Book 9, Coming October 2021 exclusively in Christmas Kisses: A Regency Holiday Romance Anthology

  More stories coming soon ~ to be the first to know about new releases and special promotions, sign up for my VIP Readers Newsletter.

  Chapter One

  London, England, April 1818

  “You must be jesting.”

  Edward Adley, the Earl of Wynn, reluctantly turned at the quiet feminine tone, fairly certain he knew to whom it belonged. Sure enough, Margaret Gold stood beside him.

  “Miss Gold.” He bit back irritation at the interruption of his admiring an attractive debutante who stood across the ballroom. “I hope the evening finds you well.”

  “Quite well. Thank you.” Margaret Gold was the best friend of his younger and only sister, Charlotte. The lady had been at his home far too often of late, assisting Charlotte with her wedding trousseau as she was to be married next month. Charlotte insisted she couldn’t make any decisions on fabrics, colors, styles, or the numerous accessories needed without her friend’s help.

  “You’re not seriously considering Lady Eleanor, are you?” Miss Gold frowned at the debutante who waved her fan and giggled as she spoke with several other ladies.

  The young woman in question had pale hair, blue eyes, an engaging smile, and a supposed fortune. As far as he was concerned, she might very well be perfect. At the very least, she was worth further investigation.

  Apparently, Miss Gold thought otherwise. The woman had no problem sharing her opinion about anything and anyone, regardless of whether she’d been asked.

  Was it any wonder that she wasn’t married? Nor did anyone seem to be courting her. Most men kept her at arm’s length, though she was attractive in a subtle manner. Her thick, glossy, dark brown hair held a hint of red in the candlelight. Her smooth, clear skin was the perfect framework for her oval face with dark, winged brows and long lashes. Full lips added a lushness to her appearance that frequently garnered a second look.

  Though not from him, of course.

  But it was her brown eyes—filled with intelligence and often amusement—that gave one pause. She looked at people with a directness most found unsettling, almost an unspoken challenge. It was as if she waited for one to do something untoward and prove her right.

  Based on the time they’d recently spent together, Miss Gold seemed to expect people to disappoint her and was rarely surprised when they so often did.

  “I’m sorry?” The realization that she seemed to know exactly what he’d been thinking as he watched Lady Eleanor didn’t bode well. Surely she didn’t know of his plan to find a wife. He hadn’t even mentioned it to his mother or sister yet.

  “Have you ever spoken with her? She would drive you mad in short order with her inane comments.” Miss Gold’s eyes, the shade of the bitter coffee his late father had been so fond of, held on Lady Eleanor. “And she obviously has no fashion sense.”

  Edward sighed, hoping to gather his patience. “She looks fine to me. I thought her gown rather...nice.”

  “Nice?” Miss Gold shook her head. “That shade of blue makes her skin look sallow and the waistline is too low. It makes one wonder if she lacks good taste in other matters.”

  “Hmm.” Now that Miss Gold pointed it out, he could see her point. The gown didn’t fit Lady Eleanor well and did little to enhance her form. Her attire paled in comparison to Miss Gold’s, whose taste in fashion was impeccable even to his eyes.

  But he would make his own decisions when it came to his future wife, using sound reason and logic. Fashion and appearance were of minor consequence.

  The Martsley Ball had just begun, and it was the first one he’d attended this Season with the intent of finding a potential bride, a decision he preferred to make on his own.

  The time had come to find a countess as quickly as possible given the fact that he’d inherited a load of debt when his father died unexpectedly last summer. Then again, death rarely came according to a schedule.

  The late earl hadn’t been a happy person. Not even content. In all honesty, he’d been a miserable, irritable—dare Edward say truculent?—sort of man who never had a kind word for anyone. Edward didn’t miss his petty spitefulness or the way it forced everyone in the household from the downstairs maid to the housekeeper to every member of their family to tip-toe about in fear of angering him.

  While the late earl had never been in excellent health, suffering from gout among other minor maladies, he’d taken his final breath soon after a confrontation that Edward had led.

  Needless to say, the meeting had not gone well.

  His father’s callous disregard for Charlotte’s feelings about her future husb
and had been the last straw as far as Edward was concerned. Numerous conversations had done nothing to influence the late earl.

  Regardless of how many times Edward told himself that his father left him no choice but to lead that final confrontation, it did little to quiet his guilt.

  The earl’s death had been the beginning of long months of work. Between reviewing accounts, settling the debts he could, understanding the state of the various holdings, and trying to find ways to wring more out of the small income they had, Edward was overwhelmed.

  The lack of funds was the most serious problem Edward currently faced. There was a simple way to solve it—marry an heiress. His list of requirements was short. The woman needed to be rich, attractive, and kind. Any other attributes would be icing on the cake.

  While sitting in his study contemplating the issue, his needs had seemed fairly straightforward and easily attainable. He was of reasonable looks and demeanor, held a title, and had placed his roguish ways mostly behind him.

  Yet as he surveyed the debutantes and other ladies in attendance at this evening’s ball, doubts assailed him. This task wasn’t going to be as simple as he hoped. While he didn’t expect a wife to be as enjoyable as the opera singer he’d pursued and won last summer, neither did he want to be miserable like his father. If there was one thing Edward knew for certain, it was that he would do all in his power to never become like him.

  The fault for his parents’ unhappy union certainly didn’t lie with his mother. Years of scathing remarks had worn her down, much like a pebble along the shore of a raging river, until she’d withdrawn emotionally from her family and friends. The two of them simply hadn’t suited.

  Which made Edward all the more determined to choose his bride with care. But he couldn’t wait overlong to decide. The best of the ladies would soon be spoken for. The Season was already underway, and he wasn’t the only lord in search of a wife.

  Though he didn’t like to be rude, Miss Gold needed to understand that he did not require her assistance. She was Charlotte’s friend, and he had no wish to hurt her feelings, though he wondered if such a thing were possible.

  Miss Gold didn’t attend many functions as she often remained home to care for her ailing father. That should make avoiding her easier.

  However, he feared if he didn’t nip her remarks in the bud, she would continue to offer advice where it wasn’t welcome. He cleared his throat with the hope of making certain he had her attention.

  “Miss Gold, while I appreciate your opinion—”

  She scoffed, interrupting him. “No, you don’t.” To his surprise, she smiled, catching him off guard. The twinkle in her eyes and the curve of those lips swept away his thoughts like ashes blown in the wind. “But since your sister is otherwise occupied and most likely unaware of your plan for the time being, I feel obligated to stand in her stead and share my insight.”

  Why was it that he always felt a step behind when Miss Gold spoke? He refused to think he was distracted by those brown eyes or the curve of her lips. He paused to review their conversation with the hope he might grasp her meaning.

  He lifted a brow in question, hoping she’d expand on her statement.

  The soft sigh and flutter of her ridiculously long lashes which suggested she’d narrowly avoided rolling her eyes only added to the unsettling confusion swirling through him.

  “You are selecting her sister-in-law in addition to your wife.” She glanced about as if to make certain no one heard her. “Charlotte might be currently involved in wedding plans and therefore unaware of your intention to find a countess, but she won’t wish to be saddled for life with someone like Lady Eleanor at family gatherings. Think of it.” She gave a mock shudder as she met his gaze. “That would never do.”

  When he only continued to stare at her, she twitched her shoulders as if holding back the urge to shrug. “Trust me. I have no more desire to assist you than you do to have me.”

  Miss Gold seemed unaware of the underlying meaning of the last part of her sentence. But for some odd reason, those words echoed through Edward’s mind, making it difficult to focus on what else she was saying.

  To have me.

  To his shock, the phrase created a vivid image that had him looking at her in an entirely new light, luscious lips and all.

  “I mean, to have me do so,” she clarified as if realizing her mistake. A faint blush crept into her cheeks, adding to her appeal. “Until she realizes what you’re up to, I feel compelled to share my opinion.”

  Edward blinked as Miss Gold fell silent, looking at him expectantly as if waiting for his agreement.

  “Surely you can understand that,” she prompted as she continued to watch him expectantly.

  Still in a daze from the unbidden image that refused to be banished to a dark corner where it belonged, he slowly nodded.

  “Excellent. It’s settled then.” She beamed at him ever so briefly before casting her gaze over the crowded ballroom as if in search of potential candidates. “Now then, let us consider other possibilities.”

  Good heavens. Had he just agreed to allow Miss Gold to assist in selecting his future countess? What on earth had come over him?

  ~*~

  Margaret couldn’t help but smile. Edward looked positively bewildered by their agreement, and that pleased her in no small measure. He always looked perfect—dangerously handsome with a charming grin that could halt a lady midstride—and so ridiculously confident that it bordered on arrogant.

  On second thought, it was definitely arrogant.

  His dark brown hair was swept back, though a lock tended to fall over his forehead, which added to his roguish look. Blue eyes a shade darker than his sister’s reminded her of a stormy sky.

  She enjoyed the realization that she puzzled him. Not that she was affected by his roguish charm in any way. Quite the opposite, in fact. She chose to ignore the shiver that standing so close to him gave her.

  Since she never intended to marry, she was careful to keep a certain distance when it came to men. Especially those like Edward who tended to dazzle ladies with a mere smile. Heaven forbid he turn that charm in her direction.

  Thank goodness he’d decided to find a wife because she found herself thinking about him much too often of late. Of course, that was only natural because of his proximity. His sister was her best friend and they were together often.

  Having been raised in a household of three daughters, Margaret admitted to a certain fascination with the male species and how they acted. But that was as far as her fascination went. Observing and interacting were two different actions, and she remained squarely in the observing category.

  Until now.

  A glance at Edward, whose attention had returned to the ladies across the room, caused her to question her offer. What had she been thinking?

  She’d told herself at the end of the last Season that the less time she spent in his company the better. Now here she was at his side, offering assistance.

  She gave herself a mental shake. There was no cause for alarm. Charlotte deserved a wonderful sister-in-law after the difficulties her father had caused her over the years. Her friend had endured enough family problems.

  The least Margaret could do was to guide Edward in the right direction before he ventured too far down the path of selecting a bride who might be all wrong for him and his family.

  Charlotte would soon realize what her brother was doing and offer her own opinion. Then Margaret could remove herself from the situation. For all she knew, this might be the only evening where Edward required her help. The realization eased the tension that had lifted her shoulders and allowed her to draw a deep breath.

  “What of Lady Priscilla?” Edward asked, leaning close to whisper the question.

  A pleasant waft of bergamot mixed with a hint of pine reached her nose, and she couldn’t resist breathing deeply to better enjoy it. Men’s scents were so different than ladies’. She collected her wandering thoughts then followed his gaze to where L
ady Priscilla stood. She had a slim figure, long limbs, and a beauty unmatched by most. Her attire was pleasing if rather ordinary.

  “I don’t know her well though no mention of poor behavior has reached me. Perhaps you might consider asking her to dance, assuming you’ll ask someone else as well.”

  “Ah, yes.” Edward nodded reluctantly. “I cannot show my attention to just one lady, can I?”

  “No.”

  “What are your thoughts on Miss Penworthy?” His smile made her wonder if he was teasing her by now acting as if he welcomed her thoughts.

  Margaret hesitated. While she tended to be overly critical when it came to fashion because of her interest in it, she liked to think she could look beyond appearances. However, there were many ladies she didn't know well.

  “She seems fairly popular.” Margaret hesitated. “Although it seems as if Viscount Chivington might be courting her.”

  “What of Lady Elizabeth?”

  “Definitely not.”

  When Edward looked at her with a brow raised in question, she added, “She has already jilted two men which has sullied her reputation. I’m certain you wouldn’t want to pursue someone who doesn’t know her own mind.”

  They continued to discuss a few of the other ladies, one of whom didn't truly have a fortune while another wasn't very nice. Margaret did her best to try to offer facts rather than just her opinion. However, she didn't go about in Society often and so heard little gossip, which made the process more challenging.

  “Good evening, Lord Wynn.” Caroline Walker, Margaret's eldest sister and the Countess of Aberland, nodded as she joined them. Margaret had accompanied her to the ball since their mother remained home.

  “And to you Lady Aberland. It’s a pleasure to see you.” Edward bowed. “If the two of you will excuse me, I see someone with whom I must speak.” He nodded to Margaret before moving in the direction of Lady Priscilla.

  “What was all of that about?” Caroline asked. “The two of you looked as thick as thieves.”

  Margaret hesitated, well aware Caroline would disapprove of the task she had set for herself.