Distinguished Rogues, book 3
In the third instalment of the Distinguished Rogues series, a desperate rogue will break every rule to reclaim the love of his life before its too late.
Trapped into a betrothal he thought he wanted Oscar Ryall, Lord Carrington has thoroughly lost his way. Tormented by his past, he cannot forget the happiness he lost depended on the woman he wronged and lost. Finding peace seems impossible until fate throws him back into Agatha Birkenstock’s path.
Agatha was devastated by Oscar’s sudden betrothal and his offer of carte blanche broke her heart. When they are forced to work together to save her beloved orphanage from closure, she discovers an unlikely ally in him and also the source of his private pain. Seeking to help him escape the nightmares, she’s willing to put her pride aside if only Oscar breaks every rule to win back her heart.
Charity is the third steamy regency historical romance novel in Distinguished Rogues series but can be read as a stand-alone.
- Girl Next Door
- Forbidden Love
- Redemption
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Praise for Charity …
Read an Excerpt
“The child is asleep now, Miss Birkenstock. You should put her into bed.”
The nurse’s curt voice dragged Agatha from her rebellious thoughts of running away to a simpler world where people kept their promises.
Wearily, she opened her eyes. “Yes, I believe you are right, Mrs. Bates.”
She looked upon tiny Betty Smith lying peacefully in her arms at long last, and her heart fluttered. No matter how tightly the babe clutched Agatha’s fingertip, or how much she longed to stay, she couldn’t remain at the Grafton Street Orphanage overnight to oversee the child’s care. The trustees would never stand for it. Nor would her grandfather.
Slowly, Agatha rose to her feet. The babe in her arms startled at the movement and Agatha pressed a kiss to her cheek. “Hush, sweetheart, all is well.”
Betty grumbled and, instead of giving the sleeping infant up to the nurse’s outstretched arms, Agatha carried the child to bed, tucked her snug into the linens, and then placed her favorite rag doll beside her. The nurse clucked her tongue in disapproval at the toy.
Agatha fingered the little girl’s pale curls and smiled that Betty rested easily. “Please send word if her night should be disturbed again, Mrs. Bates. I will be here early tomorrow morning to visit with her.”
“As you wish, miss.”
No matter how harmless the words, the old nurse’s tone hinted she’d rather Agatha be gone from the orphanage, never to interfere with her charges again. Well, that wasn’t going to happen. Not a chance of it.
After smoothing her hand over the child’s pale curls one last time, Agatha straightened to look about the chamber. Six narrow beds hugged the imperfect walls of the chilly room, each containing a peeking set of eyes belonging to a child in need of warmth and kindness. She’d love to drag each of them from the covers, smother them with affection, and stay until they were all sound asleep. If she could take them from this depressing place and home with her tonight, she would be perfectly happy.
But her grandfather and the board of trustees wouldn’t allow that either.
Agatha paced the length of the room, doing her best to ignore the cheerless severity of the chamber. The children’s bodies under the frayed covers didn’t so much as twitch. A fear of Nurse Bates’ displeasure kept them still as statues, she was sure. Such strict adherence to rules saddened her. These children needed the freedom to run about on cool, green grass, to smile and be silly instead of being expected to appear perpetually grateful for the bed space they occupied.
She would promise them everything would be well, if she didn’t harbor a kernel of doubt that she could live up to her own promises. The sting of disappointment was the hardest emotion to conquer. She would promise them no more than she could vouchsafe: her time, her affection, and a game of cricket in the tiny, rear walled garden if the weather allowed.
Even though the children showed no sign that they were awake, she made a point of checking each one to be sure they would be warm enough for the coming night. As Agatha reached the end of the room where the drafts were at their worst, the nurse cleared her throat. Nurse Bates always appeared anxious for her to leave, but Agatha refused to hurry. She checked the remaining children and left the room when she was ready.
Her maid waited in the front hall, hands clenched over Agatha’s cloak. Nell rushed forward. “It be a frightful night outside, Miss Birkenstock. The fog is thicker than pea soup.”
Since Nell was such a fanciful creature, often prone to exaggerate the mildest of events into the worst possible calamity, Agatha disregarded her words. She donned her cloak, secured her reticule about her wrist, and then turned for the door. “It’s just a bit of fog, Nell. It hardly signifies. Come along.”
The butler opened the door for them and then stepped back. Pea soup, indeed. Agatha couldn’t see the street clearly from the top step. Her confidence slipping a little, she hurried down the stairs and turned right into the mist. The orphanage door closed with a heavy thud.
Rushed, light footsteps behind her confirmed that Nell was but one pace away. “People get lost in the London fog, miss,” Nell whispered.
“That shall not happen to us. I know my way home perfectly well.”
Nevertheless, Agatha clutched her cloak tightly about her and kept her eyes fixed on her path.
Book Info
Publish Date: 2 August 2011
Digital ISBN: 978-0-987097-96-5
Paperback ISBN: 978-1-925239-39-3
Genre: Regency Historical Romance
Related Books
Distinguished Rogues Series
1. Chills – Jack and Constance
2. Broken – Giles and Lillian
3. Charity – Oscar and Agatha
4. An Accidental Affair – Merrick and Arabella
5. Keepsake – Kit and Miranda
6. An Improper Proposal – Martin and Iris
7. Reason to Wed – Richard and Esme
8. The Trouble with Love – Everett and Whitney
9. Married by Moonlight – Gilbert and Anna
10. Lord of Sin – Julian and Portia
11. The Duke’s Heart – Sinclair and Kitty
12. Romancing the Earl – Price and Lenore
13. One Enchanted Christmas – Otis and Margaret
14. Desire by Design – Alexander and Sylvia
15. His Perfect Bride – Harry and Ophelia
16. Pleasures of the Night – Teddy and Eugenia
17: Silver Bells – Hector and Ruby
18. Seduced in Secret – Winston and Charlotte
19. Yours Until Dawn – Drew and Aurora
20. No Ordinary Lady