Always a Rogue, Forever Her Love (Scandalous Seasons Book 4) Read online

  She paused beside it, and peered inside. “Hullo?”

  Silence met her greeting.

  She frowned, and made to turn back toward the activity upon the river.

  “Hello, my lady.”

  Katherine spun back around. She squinted in an attempt to adjust to the dimness of the cold, lonely, little tent. “Hullo,” she said again. She rubbed her hands together to rub warmth back into her fingers and looked around. Suddenly feeling very foolish for indulging her sister’s flight of fancy, Katherine made to leave.

  “Is there something oi might ‘elp you find, moi lady? A gift for someone, perhaps?”

  Katherine shook her head. “No. I’m afraid not.”

  The gaunt old woman with straggly white hair came closer. “Wot is that, my lady?”

  Compassion filled Katherine at the sight of the poor woman whose tattered brown skirts and thin shawl would offer little protection by way of the elements. Katherine reached into her reticule and fished around for some coins but something in the woman’s eyes stayed her movements; something that indicated that even though impoverished, this woman would welcome no charity. “Er, yes. I mean, there is something you might be able to help me find. I’m searching for a gift for my sister.”

  The woman’s small, brown eyes searched Katherine’s face. She nodded and moved to one of the tables littered with her wares. She held up a pink, satin ribbon. “Perhaps some ribbon for the lady?”

  Katherine shook her head, and advanced deeper into the store.

  The woman moved to the next table, filled with bright baubles and trinkets. “Then a kerchief for the lady?”

  She held up a floral piece of fabric embroidered with red, pink, and purple roses.

  Katherine reached for the ribbon. The old woman handed it over for her perusal.

  She glanced down at it, passing it back and forth between her fingers, locked on the fuchsia rose so expertly stitched upon the cloth. She remembered back to the day she’d learned of Father’s betrayal.

  Mother had been seated on the wrought iron bench within her gardens, weeping bitter, angry tears. She’d caught sight of Katherine and quickly dashed back those tears. “I’ve let the gardener go. A silly expense, don’t you think, Katherine?”

  “My lady?”

  The fabric fluttered from her fingers, back onto the table. Katherine gave her head a clearing shake, a bid to dispel the pained musings of the past. “Er, no, no floral items.” Since that day in the gardens, Katherine had come to detest the cheerful blooms, the reminder of Father’s failings. That day had taught Katherine the perils of love.

  The peddler wrinkled her brow, seeming unaware of Katherine’s inner tumult. She reached into the front pocket of her jacket and withdrew a gold chain. “Perhaps a golden heart, then?”

  Katherine looked at the pendant, and her heart paused at the implausibility of it all. She reached for it wordlessly, and studied the golden bauble. “It is perfect,” she said, quietly.

  The peddler grunted, and held her hand out.

  Katherine blinked, looking down at her open palm. “Oh,” she said, and reached into the front of her reticule. She withdrew several coins.

  The woman widened her beady eyes at the small fortune Katherine bestowed.

  “It is a fine piece, indeed,” Katherine murmured. There had been a time when Katherine had lain awake in bed, gripped by fear of her family’s dire financial straits. If she could prevent another woman from feeling those sentiments, even for just a bit, then a sovereign was a very, very small price to pay for the pendant.

  “There is a story behind that heart, my lady.”

  Katherine slipped the heart into her reticule. “I’m certain there is,” she said. “Thank you very much.” And before the peddler could finish, Katherine stepped outside. Katherine listened rather patiently to her sister’s fanciful musings about love, she’d not have to hear the foolish words of a stranger, too.

  She stepped outside, and blast of cool wind tossed back her hood. She gasped as the frigid breeze sucked the air from her lungs. Her reticule fell from her fingers and skidded along the frozen surface. “Drat,” she muttered, and hurried after it. She took a step, when the flat-sole of her kid leather boot slipped on the snowflakes coating the frozen river. She threw her arms wide to balance herself as she slid away from the lone little tent, past her reticule, ever farther.

  Craaaaack.

  She swallowed hard. Her heart hung suspended in her breast.

  Then the ice opened up.

  Other Authors you Might Enjoy

  Julie Johnstone

  My Fair Duchess

  Available September 29!

  After years of playing the rake to hide a dark family secret, the Duke of Aversley feels tainted beyond redemption and cynical beyond repair. Never does he imagine hope will come in the form of a quirky, quick-witted lady determined to win the heart of another gentleman.

  Thanks to a painfully awkward past, Lady Amelia De Vere long ago relinquished the notion she was a flower that had yet to blossom. But when her family faces financial ruin and the man she has always loved is on the verge of marrying another, she’ll try anything to transform herself to capture her childhood love and save her family–including agreeing to participate in a bet between her brother and the notorious, dangerously handsome Duke Of Aversley.

  Bound by the bet, Amelia and Aversley discover unexpected understanding and passion beyond their wildest dreams, if only they can let go of their pride, put trust in each other and chance losing their hearts.

  Table of Contents

  Dedication

  Acknowledgements

  Copyright

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Epilogue

  Biography

  Book List

  Sneak Peak