Wicked Designs (The League of Rogues) Read Free Page B

large palm along her side, stroking soothingly.
    “Liar!”
    He tightened his hold as Emily kicked and fought. “I’ve got her, but be quick, Cedric! She’s bucking pretty madly.”
    Cedric knelt by her head and tilted the flask against her lips, forcing laudanum down her throat. Emily tried to whip her head to the side, but Cedric’s other hand covered her mouth, preventing her from spitting out the vile liquid. It was useless to battle against her fate. She let her eyes plead where her mouth could not.
    “Sorry, my dear. Truly, I am.” The sincerity in Cedric’s voice surprised her.
    How could sincerity follow such brutality?
    He kept the flask at her lips. She swallowed hard and then coughed as it the liquid burned a path through her insides.
    Her last sight was of Cedric, his brows creased above his eyes. Her fingers left tracts in the gritty earth of the dark, empty road as she struggled to stay conscious. The musty aroma of soil clouded her nose, mixing with the heavy warmth of the masculine body that pinned her down. Her limbs were heavy. Her eyelids fluttered and she knew she couldn’t hold out much longer. Godric gently caressed her body, as though to comfort her, but only confusion and fear followed her into the encompassing blackness.

    Cedric, Viscount Sheridan, cupped the girl’s chin and tilted her face to examine her. “Is she really out?”
    The moonlight bathed her body, affording the men a decent look at their victim. Long, dark lashes lay against porcelain cheeks, which were tinted with a rosy blush.
    “There’s one way to find out.” Godric’s hands swept over her body, returning several times to her waist where he’d discovered she was ticklish.
    She remained limp and unresponsive to his exploration. “She is definitely out.” He climbed off her.
    Charles and Lucien sauntered over on their horses.
    Charles chuckled. “How many lords did you say it would take to subdue this little hellion?”
    Lucien Russell, the Marquess of Rochester, bit back a grin.
    “More than we guessed,” Ashton replied in amusement, gazing down at Emily.
    Godric took in the dirty, but stunning little captive at his feet. “She’s not at all like her uncle.”
    Heat pooled deep inside him. His brief memory of her had not done justice to the puzzle of Miss Emily Parr. He could not forget the way she’d fought him, even in fear. But knowing he’d scared her left a hollowness in his chest. He had expected to ignore her protestations and carry her off. What he hadn’t expected was for Emily to fight valiantly against him and leave him feeling every inch the villain.
    Cedric stuffed the bottle of laudanum back into his waistcoat pocket. “Having second thoughts?”
    Godric barked out a laugh and shrugged off his guilt. “Lord, no. You know me better than that, Cedric. She’s mine now.” He glanced at Emily again.
    He felt oddly possessive of Emily, not that he had any right to. Still, the sudden urge to deposit the girl in a walled garden appealed greatly. Trap her in a tower like a princess from a fairy tale.
    “The girl’s intrigued him,” Lucien said to his friends.
    Godric gathered Emily into his arms.
    He knew he must look a strange sight to his friends, taking such care with Emily. But something about her called to him. He ached for sensual touches, the slide of satin sheets against his skin, her silky body beneath his own. He hadn’t planned to seduce her, but the little hellion’s bravery had aroused him. She’d make for a wild bed partner. His lips curved into a smile at the thought.
    “She can ride with me,” Charles offered hopefully.
    “I’d sooner trust her with a drunken sailor.” With reluctance, his hands lingering, Godric handed Emily to Ashton instead.
    Godric mounted his horse, then leaned down to retrieve her.
    He cradled Emily sideways across his lap, one arm tightly about her waist, tucking her head under his chin to keep her steady.
    The mere memory that Emily had almost