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

As the carriage stopped in front of the inn, Richard thought of waking her from her slumber. But- she looked so peaceful. It would be a shame to wake her. Instead, he eased his left arm under her legs while the other bracing her smooth back, carefully stepping out of the carriage, cradling her.
She let out a soft moan and his erection suddenly responded. She snuggled onto his chest, unconsciously, her arms wrapping around his neck.
Richard stopped and hissed in a breath. She was so light. Her small waist carefully cradled onto his body. He needs to put her down. Now. Before he does something he will regret later on.
He made his way through the maze of hallways until he stopped at one, their two rooms adjoined, opening her door. Walking in, he made his way toward the small bed, gently laying her down.
He took off her shoes, placing them on the ground. Then Richard sat up to watch her for a moment. Her hair was loose of its pins. Practically all of them are dangling down her hair, loose brown curls masking her neck. Gently, he pulled the pins away placing them on the night stand. He didn’t think he has ever seen her with her hair down. She had always put it up into a small bun up her head. She was beautiful. Truly is. He wanted to nothing more than to slip into the covers and join her, take her then and there.
But knew that that was futile.
Loretta can never love a man such as Richard. He was a rogue. No gentlewoman would ever want a man such as him. Sighing, he headed over to the fireplace to start the fire again. The room was freezing cold. Outside, the dark sky was still surrounded with gray clouds, snow falling all over again. Once the fire was secure, locked the door from whence he came and decided to head through the closet. Figuring if he exits out of the front door, someone might now and tries to come in here without permission that the lady was sleeping. For now, he will try to process the possible people who had been involved with the girl. Richard made his way inside the closet and into his room, he too starting to light the hearth. Sitting down at the table, he took out the file of Anne.
Someone had to know of her problem. Someone she trusts most. It seemed that he needs to take a visit to Flora and George, the Duke and Duchess of Bakewell. A knock came into the door as he was about to step into bed. Grunting, he made his way to his door opening it.
Richard smirked. “Well if it isn’t Loretta’s future husband. You sure were quick.”
“I came as soon as I heard the news. So the girl is dead?” He asked, seeming breathless.
He stood aside and motioned for the empty bed. “As you can see,” He replied acidly.
The man frowned. “I am sorry for your loss-,”
“It isn’t my loss,” Richard interrupted leaning against the door inspecting him closely.
“It may have not but I saw to it that you had cared for her well-being,”
Richard didn’t respond instead he looked boringly up at him. “What the hell is it you want?”
“The door to her room is locked. I can’t seem to find my way in,”
He smirked. So that is the reason. He and the man are the same height, his blonde hair was completely contrast on Richard’s. He looked like a gentleman. Specially the way he had dressed. The cravat was on his neck, groomed nicely, his black overcoat contrasted his white ruffled shirt underneath, dark brown trousers tucked in his black knee- length boots.
“In here,” He opened his door and motioned for the closet. “The room from hers to mine is connected.”
“And why can I ask is it connected?” Alden made his way inside the room and toward the closet seeming to inspect the room while he’s at it.
“I assume you had heard about the story to the girl, I am merely watching over her. You know how these parts of London are,” Damn it why was he explaining himself to him? He could care no less what he thinks or what he can assume.
“I understand. Thank you for watching over Loretta. She has a fragile heart,”
Richard smirked. “I had noticed.” Since he was going to the country tomorrow, what better yet than to leave her in this man’s care? He’s the future husband, surely he can be able to protect her with his life. “Tell me, would you protect Lady Chase with her life?”
The man stopped and turned around to face him. “With my life,”
He smirked. “Good,” Heading over to his bed, he took out the pistol under the pillow and handed it to him. “I’ll be leaving tomorrow. I have a business elsewhere I trust that you would take care of her,”
Alden shook his head opening his waistcoat to reveal a silver pistol with the brand of his family name. “No need, I came well protected. You can’t ever trust this part of town.”
Richard smiled. Seems like this man has potential. He placed his pistol back under the pillow. “Good. It seemed like she had picked a good choice of man.” He watched him carefully as he sat down the chair while Richard sat on the bed.
“So I see she told you about the marriage?”
Grinning, he poured himself some whiskey, downing it in two gulps. “She has,”
“I hope you don’t take it to heart. But I love her. I would risk my life for her. I would protect her with all my might---,”
Richard held up a hand. “I don’t need you’re explanation. I am neither her father nor her lover. You can marry her. You don’t need my permission,”
“Do you think I was that block headed? I see the way you look at her. I see the way you-,”
Another hand and this time he glared at him. “I don’t know what you’re talking about and I believe you’re time here had been enough. The room is that way,”
Alden smiled and stood up, his cool gaze on him. “I suppose you’re right.” He made his way toward the closet. “But rest assured, I will protect her. Do no worry.”
He glanced at him. “I have no reason to,”

The next morning, Richard made his way toward the carriage. He had checked on Loretta before leaving. She was sleeping peacefully, cuddled next to her future husband. She seemed like she was enjoying herself with his company. She has no need for him. Closing the carriage door behind him, he let out a sigh as it lurched forward.
The town passed by as he glanced out of the window. “Where are we headed sir?”
“Toward the Bakewell manor,”
He nodded and flicked the reigns, making it go faster. The snow finally stopped falling, but the weather was still desperately cold. He had worn a dark purple buttoned overcoat to keep warm, though it didn’t do anything to keep his body warm. But the cold does help him think. He is no longer affected of something that isn’t harmful. Of what he already is inside.
“You do know that if you feel unwell and is too cold you can switch out with the second coachman,” Which was sitting right across from him. He looked a bit young for his age but that didn’t matter to Richard.
All that mattered was he made it there with living men. Not frozen by hyperthermia.
“It is alright sir,” The foot man who was outside of the carriage nodded, flicking the horse faster.
He let out another sigh and watched the scenery before him vanish. It was still good dark outside. Taking out his pocket watch, he glanced at the time. It was five till four. He left rather early though that wasn’t the truth. He could not sleep at all last night.
His thoughts were filled of the two couple sleeping on the next room adjoined to his. How Alden can caress her in her sleep. He closed his eyes tightly shut. Damn it, get a hold of yourself. She is getting married for God’s sake. You shouldn’t be jealous. She can never be yours.
He dozed off into sleep, considering it will take hours for him to arrive in the country where Bakewell manor is. Though he can bet, when he would come back Loretta would scowl at him for not waking her up and taking her with him.
Richard chuckled at the thought, but immediately frowned when he had recalled that man laying down by her side, sleeping peacefully beside her.
She even snuggled next to him.
The thought of them comfortable in the bed made his temper rise slightly. “Is there something wrong my lord?” The coachman asked watching him intently.
He glared at him. “Nothing of your problem,”
“Ah but that is where you are wrong. I know that irritation looking nowhere else in the world. It simply one answer. Woman,”
Richard. So this young man seemed to know more of what he had thought. “I am not implying you are correct, but what had made you into the decision that it was indeed of a woman?”
The coachman shrugged. “I had four brothers and four sisters. I do think I know enough of everything out there even if I am such in a young age.”
“Do you have a guess on what is wrong with me?” He asked brow raised slightly of amusement.
“I am guessing there’s a woman. You love her dearly and yet you cannot get yourself to admit that you are in love with her,”
And he was straight forward about it as well. A smart young lad.
“Go on,” He murmured a hand on his chin.
The young man studied him carefully, his eyes intent on Richard’s gaze. “From the way you dress and act, I do think you are more content in a life where danger lies in every corner. Where thrill and excitement are. You remind me of my brother well indeed.”
“I do?”
He nodded.
“How so?”
“Well my brother was a troubled man. For years he had been drinking and gambling. Betting on cock fights and clubs. He starts rumbling up street fights. Well I think you can guess that he is not very content with his life. He hungers for danger and thirsts for lust. Each night he beds different women until finally he had come across one that was very different.”
“Continue.” Richard murmured, at least thankful that this man has some kind of story that can be able to entertain him halfway, or at least some of the time from here to their destination.
“This one was particularly different. She was beautiful yes but was not like most of the women in the