His Wicked Seduction novel Chapter 26

"Do you hear them?" Charles asked.

Cedric held a finger to his lips.

Lucien strained to hear even the smallest rustle or creak, but heard nothing. Cautiously, Cedric unlocked and opened the door. The bedchamber was empty. The windows were closed and latched and there was no sign of the women.

"Ash?" Godric said in a low whisper. Ashton nodded and proceeded inside, his sharp gaze leaving nothing unseen. There was no evidence the women had hidden themselves. No sign of hasty departure. They had simply vanished.

"Where the bloody hell is my wife?" Godric yelled into the aether.

As if in response, a footman came up the stairs and handed Cedric a slip of paper. Dumbfounded, Cedric opened it and read it aloud.

My Dear Gentlemen,

We await you in the dining room. Please do not join us until you have decided upon a course of action regarding the threat to Lord Sheridan. We will be more than delighted to offer our opinions on the matter, but in truth, we suspect you do not wish to hear our thoughts. It is a failing of the male species, and we shan't hold it against you. In the future, however, it would be advisable not to lock us in a room. We simply cannot resist a challenge, something you should have learned by now. Intelligent women are not to be trifled with.

Fondest Regards,

~The Society of Rebellious Ladies~

"Fondest regards?" Lucien scoffed.

A puzzled Jonathan added, "Society of Rebellious Ladies?"

"Lord help us!" Ashton groaned as he ran a hand through his hair. "They've named themselves."

"I'll wager a hundred pounds that Emily's behind this. Having a laugh at our expense," Charles said in all seriousness.

"Let's go and see how rebellious they are when we're done with them." Cedric rolled up the sleeves of his white lawn shirt as he and the others stalked down the stairs to the dining room. They found it empty. The footman reappeared and Cedric wondered if perhaps the man had never left. At the servant's polite cough he handed Cedric a second note.

"Another damn note? What are they playing at?" He practically tore the paper in half while opening it. Again he read it aloud.

Did you honestly believe we'd display our cunning in so simple a fashion? Surely you underestimated us. It is quite unfair of you to assume we could not baffle you for at least a few minutes. Perhaps you should look for us in the place where we ought to have been and not the place you put us.

Best Wishes,

~The Society of Rebellious Ladies~

"I am going to kill her," Cedric said. It didn't seem to matter which of the three rebellious ladies he meant.

The League of Rogues headed back to the drawing room. Cedric flung the door open. Emily was sitting before the fire, an embroidery frame raised as she pricked the cloth with a fine pointed needle. Audrey was perusing one of her many fashion magazines, eyes fixed on the illustrated plates, oblivious to any disruption.

Horatia had positioned herself on the window seat near a candle, so she could read her novel. Even at this distance Lucien could see the title, Lady Eustace and the Merry Marquess, the novel he'd purchased for her last Christmas. For some reason, the idea she would mock him with his own gift was damned funny. He had the sudden urge to laugh, especially when he saw a soft blush work its way up through her. He'd picked that particular book just to shock her, knowing it was quite explicit in parts since he'd read it himself the previous year.

"Ahem," Cedric cleared his throat. Three sets of feminine eyes fixed on him, each reflecting only mild curiosity.

Emily smiled. "Oh there you are."

"Are you finished with your little meeting?" Audrey asked, setting down her magazine and smiling up at her brother.

The way she'd said "little meeting" left Lucien with no doubt they were having fun at their expense, or perhaps it was her biting her bottom lip to prevent her laughter that gave her away. Regardless, Cedric's sisters had challenged the men and they were in no mood to play games. Especially Cedric.

"You." Cedric pointed to Audrey. "Bed, now!" His accusing finger then swept towards Emily. "Since when do you embroider? I distinctly recall you telling me once that such a thing was a complete and utter waste of time."