My Dangerous Rogue, Paula Wong [best books to read for self improvement TXT] 📗

him. About what he had said earlier, no that is not it. She can never marry a man who is secretive. Who is distant and cold towards people. She wants to wed a man who is open, who can talk to her without having to hide anything. She just knows that somewhere, a man like that exists. Just not in London or earth.
“I appreciate all you have done for me but I cannot accept your offer. I will find a way to fix this by myself. Without your help,”
For the first time since he had arrived, finally she saw a flicker of emotion cross his face, but once he regained his posture, it disappeared. Was it annoyance or something else? Disappointment?
No impossible, he cannot feel sad because of her decline can he?
She studied him. All her life, she can be able to read people’s emotion. No matter how hard they try to mask it. But something with this man can’t allow her to read him in any way possible. Only was it last night that was possible.
“I have been meaning to ask,” she cleared her throat. “About last night.” She looked down at her lap. “What had happened?”
Richard put a hand on his chin, as if thinking. “Well I believe it’s what people do when lust started to consume them. It’s called sex darling,”
Loretta looked up alarmingly, her eyes widening, face slightly turning scarlet. “No!” She said muttering. “It’s not that. I meant with you. What had happened with you? You were acting… different,”
There it was again, emotions crossed his face and this time it stayed until a couple of seconds later. She can identify it.
Surprise and relief.
She can understand surprise. That is an emotion she knows pretty well. He knew that she caught on. That he was different. But one thing she does not understand is relief. Why was he relieved?
“I do not understand what you are talking about,” he shrugged off the question which annoyed her. This is exactly what she was speaking about. Him always keeping secrets. He can never be open to other people. That is just who he is, and she understands that. But why is her heart aching?
“You do very well know what I am talking about Lord O’Conner. If you are as wise as you say,” she said coldly.
“I never said that I am intelligent now did I? Now speaking of which, my companion’s wife, Lady Pauline Gray needs our help.”
“Our help?” she asked her eyebrow raising slightly with interest. She has indeed met Lady Pauline Gray in one of her charities with the Sapphire Roses Club. A sweet and honorable woman, she had recalled having a word with her in the past. They had talked for a while until she had to leave with the rest of the members. Pauline was indeed a good friend.
“Yes, our help. It seems like her best friend’s daughter, Miss Anne Paisley, has been abducted. Well in this case, kidnap would be the right word to use.”
“Anne?” she asked. Her mind caught up to her. Yes, she had met Anne before with her mother, The Count and Countess of Bakewell. They were caring parents, very fond of their daughter. Anne was a girl, fifteen was her age. If she recalled, Anne had a beautiful brown curly hair that goes well with her slim waist and chest. Thick lashes surrounded her deep blue eyes. She was a proper lady even in that age. How can a sweet girl such as her get abducted?
“Yes Anne. I was informed that you and Anne had met before?”
Loretta nodded in agreement.
“So will you help?” He asked his eye brow raised in slight interest.
“Will you help as well?” she asked, crossing her arms together.
“Pauline is the wife of my childhood friend. To me she is like my sister, of course I will help.”
She smirked. “It seemed like you are not as what they had said. You are dedicated to help a friend in need,”
Richard met her gaze instantly, his expression as cold as the blizzard brewing outside. “Rest assured this is a dangerous job for you. I can do the job myself but it seemed Pauline is asking your help. Her wish is for me to assist you on whatever the investigation may be. I will not be obliged to protect you. She told me to assist not lend a hand whenever you are in danger. So let me paraphrase this, you are on your own. I do hope you can be able to protect yourself, because I will surely not. You are not my responsibility,”
The temperature in the room suddenly dropped just as Loretta’s unforgiving expression pierced through the air. “Do not worry O’Conner,” she growled, her temper now set free. She stood up and took her shawl and overcoat. “I won’t be getting into trouble. I do not expect a man such as you to save a woman. Be aware, I can properly take care of myself. I do not need your pesky guidance. I can find Anne myself without your help,” And at that last word, her fists balled to her sides, she made her way out of the door and turned toward the end of the hallway, heading outside of his estate, toward the carriage that waited for her outside. “I do not mind for you being cruel,” she whispered as unwanted tears escaped her eyes. “But your cold-heartedness is another story,” she wiped the damn tears away and hopped on the carriage, she will find Anne. Even if she dies trying. She will see to that. She doesn’t need his help in anyway necessary.
She arrived in the front steps of the Sapphire Roses Club. She knows that it doesn’t help much but the only people she can get information from is someone superior and powerful. Who wouldn’t be better than the King and Queen of England themselves? And additionally, she seeks information and advice. Information on how in the world did Richard had known about her whereabouts and they are the only ones who can help her with that information.
Lady Jane was cradling her baby to her chest, humming as Vivian and the others circled around her. “He is so cute,”
“Indeed right,” they all said at the same time, they turned their heads as the bell from the door startled them. “Loretta,” Jane mumbled, standing up. “Take care of him for me,” she handed the baby to Christine who held her with excessive care. Jane, with her brown curled hair in a tight bun, her dark green gown with white trimmings at the end of the fabric, made her way toward Loretta who stepped out of the club main room and into a room.
“Loretta,” Jane greeted smiling. “What in the world are you doing here? I thought you were on your way to Scotland?”
“Yes but unfortunately, Lord O’Conner had found me. Now can I ask how in devil’s name he found that information?”
She frowned. “I did not say anything to him.”
“Then who did?”
Jane opened her mouth to say something but closed it when she had heard her husband’s voice. “I did,”
Loretta frowned and looked over at William’s approaching figure.
“Why did you? You promised me that you will not tell,”
“I did not promise you anything Miss Chase. If I remember correctly, my wife promised you. I was not counted,” he was wearing an elegant golden overcoat and light brown breeches, stockings were underneath his boots that was up to his knee. He looked like a king, she thought amazed. A handsome king who can order anything to anyone in his kingdom. A king who is capable of doing everything by himself with the help of his wife and children.
“But that ruled was regarded to you as well,” she let out a sigh and her gaze was on the ground. “Why did you?”
“Because I needed to, I have no need to pry in your business, but if you think that way then forgive me but it seemed like you did needed help.”
“I did not need help,” she whispered.
Jane put a hand on William’s shoulder, shaking her head gently but he refused to listen. Ever since she had married William, Loretta and he had always been close. Almost like two siblings, always knew what the other’s actions were. She knew that William loved Jane very much, more than the whole word and his throne. He would give everything up just to have her and his children by his side. And that too has Jane worrying now and then.
“Yes you do. For heaven’s sakes, you were almost shipped off to Scotland. If it wasn’t for him, you would be all alone and starving somewhere.”
“I beg your pardon William,” she said her voice low and dangerous, warning him not to go there. “Do not forget, I am a grown woman who can take care of myself,”
“Oh really? Because I am pretty sure a grown woman would not act like a child whenever things were at some end or too much for a person to handle. A woman would have stuck to it, never abandoning their problems,”
“William,” Jane warned and gripped his shoulder lightly. He glanced back at her, his eyes shining with concern and worriedness.
“No Jane, she needs to hear this. She is too stubborn to know what is good for her.” His gaze met his again. In truth, she should be mad right now and she was, but it was funny. How can she not have the right words to talk back to him. To tell him everything stupid he had done, but in truth, he had not done anything that is ridiculous. He was always kept cool and intact.
Damn him, she thought her hands clenching her front dress.
“You ran away from your mother and father who was worried about you, you had raised a scandal that had ruined your reputation, and now you want to show up here and dare to ask why had I done what I did? You are entertaining Loretta,”
Loretta felt the tears in her eyes. How dare he lecture her as if she was a child! He may have children but they are little and not adults. She on the other hand is an adult. “How dare you,” she whispered her gaze meeting his, her mouth formed in a thin line. “Talk to me like that. I am not your daughter nor your wife. I am an adult. I deserve to be treated as such,”
“Considering your actions, I do doubt it.” He grimaced giving her a frown, his striking features more distraught than ever.
She opened her mouth to say something ungratefully rude but was interrupted by Jane who stepped in between them. “That is enough you two. Will, your protection and care for Loretta has been taken its toll on you too much. You have to watch your sayings. She did not decide this fate. You had no right to talk to her that way. She is a grown woman who is capable to make her own decisions, no matter what form they are.” She glanced back at her, and gave her a reassuring smile. “I hope you can forgive him. He is just really worried about you. I am sure you can understand that,”
As much as she doesn’t want to, she does. She completely understands what William is going through. But still, his words pained her. She thought she can run here for comfort from them all. But it seemed she was wrong, she only received lecture instead.
“Please understand, we are not trying to judge your