A Rogue's Reputation (The Rogue Chronicles Book 2) Read online

  “May I touch you?” she asked. At his nod, she wrapped her fingers around his manhood, driving him mad. “Hard yet smooth.”

  While he appreciated her curiosity and need to explore him, he didn’t think he could endure much more of it. His body quivered. He could find no words, not when he felt so much. He dipped one finger inside her, his thumb stroking her delicate nub. Her hips lifted, and she gripped him tighter.

  With a groan, he shifted to settle over her, his legs nudging aside hers. He held her gaze. “Have I told you how much I love you?”

  “Yes.” She smiled with such happiness that his chest ached. “Do you know how much I love you?” The heat in her gaze echoed the heat of his body.

  “I’m beginning to. I want to make love to you.”

  “Oh, yes, my darling.”

  He eased forward until the tip of his shaft touched her center. She wiggled as if dissatisfied, and that was his undoing. He moved into her, inch by delicious inch, her body so tight, so hot. When he met resistance, he leaned on his elbows to look into her eyes. “Hold on.” Then he thrust fully inside her.

  “Oh!” Her cry was part surprise, part pain.

  “Darling, I promise it gets better.” Wishing he could ease her discomfort, he kissed her as he held still, waiting for her to adjust to the feel of him.

  Then her hips stirred beneath his. Who was he to deny her? He moved out then back in, slowly building a rhythm, wishing he could make the moment last forever.

  “Benjamin?” She frowned when he shifted to look at her.

  “Trust me, my sweet. Let go. I’ve got you.” He placed his weight on one arm so he could touch her damp center once again.

  She came apart beneath him, and he thrust inside her once, twice, before withdrawing as he found his own release. He shattered into a thousand points of light, pressed against her.

  “Louisa. I love you so.” He pressed kisses over her face, pausing on her forehead, his heart near to bursting with love. He’d never realized that emotion would bring such an intensity to lovemaking, turning it into a completely different experience. He rolled to his side, bringing her with him, never wanting to let her go.

  “Why did you draw back?” she whispered, a hint of worry in her eyes.

  “While having a babe with you would bring me the greatest joy, I wouldn’t risk that until I knew you were ready. And I admit to being selfish and wanting to keep you all to myself for a little while. At least until we marry.”

  She reached to place her palm along his cheek. “Have I mentioned how much I love you?”

  “Maybe once or twice.” He smiled at the joy filling him. “Happy Christmas, my love.”

  “Happy Christmas to you, my dearest rogue.”

  Epilogue

  Three Weeks Later

  “With this ring I thee wed. With my body I thee worship. And with all my worldly goods I thee endow. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.”

  Louisa’s heart threatened to beat out of her chest as Benjamin said the simple vows with a sincerity that brought tears to her eyes. The intense expression on his familiar, handsome face both reassured and excited her. His dark eyes held steady on hers before lowering to her hand where he placed a ring with an oval diamond surrounded by smaller diamonds on her ring finger.

  “You may kiss the bride.”

  She lifted onto her toes to meet Benjamin’s lips for a heated kiss, already anxious for the night to come.

  “I love you,” he whispered as he drew back.

  “And I love you.”

  Before Louisa could wrap her thoughts around the beauty of the moment, he escorted her to the registry at the rear of the church to sign her maiden name one last time. Her mother sniffed delicately into her handkerchief as she watched with Count Eastov at her side.

  Benjamin’s carriage took the four of them to her home, everything passing in a blur, including her thoughts.

  “That was a wonderful ceremony,” her mother said as she dabbed at her eyes.

  “A marriage of love always is.” The count shared a smile with her mother, making Louisa grateful he would keep her mother company while she and Benjamin enjoyed a honeymoon.

  “I couldn’t be more pleased to celebrate your wedding.” Louisa’s mother blinked back tears. “It’s been just Louisa and me for so long now.” Her tears had Louisa’s eyes filling with tears as well. She reached out to take her mother’s hand in hers.

  “Your father would be so pleased for you both.” Her mother took Benjamin’s hand as well. “You would’ve had his full approval, Benjamin.”

  “It warms me to hear you say that,” Benjamin said.

  “We’re pleased you’ve joined us for this special day,” Louisa told the count then glanced at her mother, noting her blush. Romance bloomed between the pair. In the brief time she’d known the count, she already liked him. She dearly wanted her mother to discover the same happiness she had and hoped the count would be the one to help her find it.

  They soon arrived at her house where Caroline, Aberland, Annabelle, her youngest cousin, Margaret, as well as her aunt greeted them.

  “Congratulations to you both,” Aberland said as he took Louisa’s hand before clasping Benjamin’s hand.

  “I’m so happy for you.” Caroline hugged Louisa then held her gaze for a long moment as the two men visited. “Thank goodness you didn’t give up on him.”

  “Thank you for giving me such good advice when events appeared so bleak.” Louisa smiled. “Things have a way of working out even when we don’t expect them to.”

  “Love is stronger than we realize, isn’t it?” Caroline looped her arm through Aberland’s, and they shifted toward the dining room.

  “You are positively glowing,” Annabelle told Louisa after she hugged her. “I’m so happy for you. I believe I could’ve predicted this outcome from the night you two were introduced.”

  Benjamin raised a brow in question. “Oh?”

  Louisa shook her head with a chuckle. “I couldn’t have. I look forward to the day when you meet the man who changes your world.”

  Annabelle frowned. “Why does that sound like a curse rather than good fortune?”

  “Sometimes, it takes time before you realize your good fortune. Isn’t that right, Benjamin?”

  “I think I’ll leave that discussion to the two of you,” he said with a smile.

  “Let us enjoy the wedding breakfast.” Her mother led the way into the dining room.

  Louisa reached for Benjamin’s arm, needing a moment alone with him to convince herself that all of this was real.

  “We did it.” She couldn’t keep the grin from her face.

  “Indeed, we did. Did you have doubt?”

  “Not for a moment.” Still, she drew a deep breath to steady her nerves at all the changes that were happening so quickly.

  As though realizing she needed reassurance, Benjamin drew her into his arms. “Are you looking forward to our honeymoon as much as I am?”

  “Absolutely.”

  “Your mother will be fine with the count to keep her company. We’ll only be gone two weeks.”

  Could he so easily read her thoughts? But his words reassured her as much as his comforting hand caressing her back. “She has been as excited as me about our marriage because she adores you.”

  Benjamin chuckled. “She’s a gem, but your happiness is all that matters to her. I’ve promised to do my best to keep you happy always.”

  “You are a rogue like no other. Honorable. Kind. A true gentleman.”

  “I have a new reputation to protect. I’ve put my roguish ways behind me and started a new life.” He reached for her hand and pressed a kiss on her palm, sending shivers along her body. “With you.”

  “A new life together.” Louisa intended to enjoy each and every day with Benjamin at her side. “You have already made me the happiest woman in all of London. Are you certain your plans for the charity can wait until we return?”

 
; “Delham says he will continue the fundraising efforts while we’re in Spain.”

  “Excellent. I cannot wait to see everything you’ve told me about.”

  “With luck, the weather will be warmer there.” He cupped his hand along her cheek. “I love you, Louisa. I cannot wait to begin our life together.”

  “Nor can I.”

  He kissed her, curling her toes, and reminding her how lucky she was to have this rogue to call her own.

  ###

  Ready for the next installment of The Rogue Chronicles? Pre-order A ROGUE NO MORE today!

  Other Books By Lana Williams

  Regency Romances

  The Rogue Chronicles

  Romancing the Rogue, Book 1

  A Rogue’s Reputation, a Christmas Novella, Book 2

  A Rogue No More, Book 3, Coming June 2020

  A Match Made in the Highlands, a Novella

  Victorian Romances

  The Seven Curses of London Series:

  Trusting the Wolfe, a Novella, Book .5

  Loving the Hawke, Book I

  Charming the Scholar, Book II

  Rescuing the Earl, Book III

  Dancing Under the Mistletoe, a Christmas Novella, Book IV

  Tempting the Scoundrel, a Novella, Book V

  Falling For the Viscount, Book VI

  Daring the Duke, Book VII

  Wishing Upon A Christmas Star, a Novella, Book VIII

  Ruby’s Gamble, a Novella

  Gambling for the Governess, Book IX

  Redeeming the Lady, Book X

  The Secret Trilogy:

  Unraveling Secrets, Book I

  Passionate Secrets, Book II

  Shattered Secrets, Book III

  Medieval Romances:

  Falling for A Knight Series:

  A Knight’s Christmas Wish, Novella, Book .5

  A Knight’s Quest, Book 1 (Also available in Audio)

  A Knight’s Temptation, Book 2 (Also available in Audio)

  A Knight’s Captive, Book 3 (Also available in Audio)

  The Vengeance Trilogy:

  A Vow To Keep, Book I

  A Knight’s Kiss, Novella, Book 1.5

  Trust In Me, Book II

  Believe In Me, Book III

  Contemporary Romances:

  Yours for the Weekend, a Novella

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  About the Author

  Lana Williams is a USA Today Bestselling and Amazon All-Star author who writes historical romance filled with mystery, adventure, and sometimes a pinch of paranormal to stir things up. Filled with a love of books from an early age, Lana put pen to paper and decided happy endings were a must in any story she created.

  The Rogue Chronicles, where rogues meet their match in the most delightful way, is a Regency era series. The Seven Curses of London series is set in Victorian times and shares stories of men and women who attempt to battle the ills of London, and the love they find along the way that truly gives them something worth fighting for.

  Her first medieval trilogy is set in England and follows heroes seeking vengeance only to find love when they least expect it. The second trilogy begins on the Scottish border and follows the second generation of the de Bremont family.

  The Secret Trilogy, which shares stories set in Victorian London, follows three lords injured in an electromagnetic experiment that went terribly wrong and the women who help heal them through the power of love.

  She writes in the Rocky Mountains with her husband, two growing sons, and two labs, and loves hearing from readers.

  Lana loves hearing from readers! Stop by her website and say hello! You can also connect with her on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.

  Copyright © 2019 by Lana Williams

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