The Rogue's Forbidden Love Rules

obstinate, it is." And stirring his heart all the more to lament he cried; and he embraced in his arms his dear and truthful wife. Elizabeth Woodville stopped her reading, a

Oh, Odysseus she thought with deep sadness, opening a shining yellowed page on a leather bound book

old love, of care and oil, and she closed her eyes She felt like the heroine of this story-a wife waiting for her loved husband to return h

home? Into one's life? Into one's bed? A grin twisted Elizabeth's lips, as the vile idea came into her head. Oh, Odysseus indeed. She chuckled. He only wished that people could know that the prim, the pro

she had been nursing for quite some time. It had started when she first came across Romeo and Juliet at the age of tw

ied spinster sister of the Earl of Aragon not as Penelope who loved her man so much that she had no use for any other men. She wove her hero into the picture, she – again settled at the loom, he – young and muscular as an ox in the doorframe of the room . It was actually more difficult to decide upon his physical ap

cleft in his chin which appeared when he smiled – that

ect that after a whole ten years of dreaming she would have left alone her fiction, but, no; it seemed that she had fallen heavily for the rake quite

them. Leaving aside the fact that she was named for an empress, one would have to

ld have heard many extraordinary things. For instance, while Elizabeth has an ordinary phototype, with brown hair and ordinary br

step of a dance floor for the entire night. And, Elizabeth knew that there w

ime, Elizabeth was the stunning Penelope and Ralston was the heartbreakingly attr

d slowly, gracefully, began to draw the tunic over his head: he was bronzed from years

ace that was her's. He had been waiting for years for such a moment, and she too. His fingers to trace

a whisper away from her mouth. Immediately and just before he thrust his tongue into he

the sharp sound coming from the door of the library. Feeling embarrassed, she tried to swallow the lump at the

ar lady that she was and she could not insult a caller. But no matter how much she would like to. A

is that all of these characters have been designed to

ce and burst into a smile. Here is where Mariana had always been a charming, a joyfu

showstopper... the debutante who had managed to garner the focus

ressed in bright yellow fizzy material with chiffon texture and had sweet and lovin

athom that. It was difficult not to like Mariana. Although to a much older, much less perfect sister it m

minine pink touched Mariana's significantly pale cheeks -one that would have made Elizabeth green with envy

st a dream and I have been pinching my cheeks all day. With just as much force, Mariana

is instance was James Talbott, the sixth Duke of Rivington and by far the most eligible bachelor in Great Briton. It had been at a preseason ball and the

ad felt like exploding with laughter at the mans nervousness; a titled gentleman, a wealthy landowner, and yet he had b

"He was big-eyed like the stars, actually very

you must tell me!" What is it like to catch a man who so much lo

uke!" I care only for James! Was he not the most

d from the doorway of the room. Elizabeth took a deep breath a frowning

considering how many times she was going to Facepalm Answer

said the other; "why, Rivington is as deep

riana!" Thus Elizabeth has time to begin the

nvitations to send! Not to mention Mariana's gown! And trousseau! Oh! Mariana!" Such joy on t

e her sister. 'Mother,' she said, 'Rivington only proposed this morning.

ed on, nodding towards her sister, "Maybe, a day or t

you, Elizabeth! Sometimes it may be challenging to agree on what the girl shall w

hter remained her weakness. If Elizabeth did not distract her mother soon, she would end up dressing her f

t important things, don't you, Mother? "Why do not we org

er would bite. "A wonderful idea!" Elizabeth released her b

rmal engagement should be saved for the announcement at the betrothal

ager countess quickly wheeled around, doing so with great excitement, and le

r sweaty face and said "Oh!" Ma

Forcing a smile, Elizabeth couldn't help it. 'You did not expect that it will be that easy did you Mari?' Besides, it has taken

f and shaking her head a little. "Who did you see?" "A mother with

she's going to be like

think she's going to be a littl

zabeth said for the enjoyment, perhaps havi

would like going to Gretna Green?" Mariana mo

of her life. And so Elizabeth was standing in front of the sitting room, watching the entire family give t

ntimate look. As a rule, Elizabeth appreciated those parties which could be held in the sit

he proposed that they have a small and intimate dinner. Even the pictures o

smiling. Elizabeth understood what was awaiting her...understood that thi

py couple! What a well-matching

t and turned her head to look at the c

hat she was doing in this conversation – staring at the jubilant Mariana and

lderly aunt placed a hand with veiny skin on Elizabeth's

such a long time," the old woman laughed aloud. "After all, between you and B

looked anxiously at the people in the room searching for the one

abeth had engaged in some sort of this co

cousin whom seemed to think that Elizabeth's spinsterhood was fair game for conversation. She was coming to

time that she was an old maid now definitely presented on the shelf? It was really too much. Not seei

y I offer you something to drink"? "Good gracious, no!" I cannot stomach

r reputation." "Yes, well, I should think that, in fact, there is n

lity of yours that can be jeopardise

non-con cords of meds biase was nowhere in evidence. It is a tragedy that is not it? You could not have

ife, shocked and angered Judith's consciousness. He never managed to get a chan

laughs. Quite often it is difficult to even try to imagine a person offering for you. Unless, that is, it

to which she entertained the idea of a pleasing act of aggress

her aunt, who continued to discuss why Elizabeth is still unmarried. Of co

Elizabeth was struck mute. Perhaps she could no

nders. Then you would be less...well, more! Aunt Beatrice raised her eyebrows and laughed till

y Elizabeth had to leave the house before she endangered

se herself that she won't spit something really nasty

tion was utterly ridiculous after dinner had ended she had to go! Despite her pride, the tears prickling her

tall windows that opened on the wall of the study – she walked to the sideboard, which stood near the l

chair, she drew a deep breath and got to her feet She poured herself a glass of sherry, put the heavy crystal decanter

ahogany desk that stood under the opposite side of the room, and gave a little start. S

apologize. You entered my lair." Benedick Hartwell got up and walked over

to send you back." "Oh? Well in that case I would like to know how you will

er sherry glass against his. "You are too kind." Benedick was slowly stirring a glass of scotch while Elizabet

egan to address me. "And so, what made

rather foolish classical and historical allu

the old bi

ned

hat you don't think of her

her in such a way." Still, say

nued, 'You are too well ma

e you escape to a room where the lights are turn

families represented in that room was not capable

ands to her face and sighed deeply. "No. I wi

y. "I would have accepted him even if he wasn't any better tha

." Benedick laughed a surly laugh and

the second man that proposed to me.

ave." This man was an inveterate gambler and a terrible a

ody abuses a widow.' 'Well, alright, m

d. To the girl

sh you were marri

wine in her mouth as she processed the question. "I

ed me only for my dower, or my lands or for alliance with

d all that is quite a different proposition a

t took her several on those moments before she sai

the next three months suffering unfeeling remarks related to Mari's we

t him. "Exactly! "I was able to avoid those event

s don't apply to me, I'm afraid.' 'Whyever not?' 'Because I am a woman.' I cannot just stay away from the balls and dinners and teas and dress fittings. Oh, God. Dre

And it still does not occur to me why you cannot

rself for...well... a woman who does not have to l

repulsive wedding-related events wil

scotch and sm

ou don't real

collapse on us if you drink. Even though, probably, you

lank for some few minutes befor

he took her time pondering over such question.

er even let myself cons

now." What would

as I coul

ghtening them both; but they forgotten it in a m

bly mannered. You're right. 'They have been virgin for 28 years – that's to

do?" "I would throw away my lace cap." "

e option of three things one can handle in ones own house? She smiled cupping hers

he idea" He said it in an enc

nd a

use the fenced skills to fight one," he said ast

"I don't think I actual

aced, "then you have discovered one of

e I should like firing a pistol

t particular activ

p at the ceiling, she

o ride a

?" She

ems so...missish." He

re so desperate to get married." Kiss someone. Well. Of course, she wouldn't say that to

Then, "I would gamb

he thought for a moment. "I expect that I

at her a

l; I get Shakespeare's plays." Sh

might be where I w

gon might have risked to lose at White'

y that here." Or do any of

disappointment

d the glass to his mouth and gulped down the rest of the liquor. He did not drink from it before it was halfwa

Benedick's invitation to fancy filled Elizabeth's head as

ad finally, and

rew back the liquid and spoke again. "I am sorry

ment, muttered thoughtlessly as he rose to go, was heard loud and clear

ne have to just hang low until the wedding does happ

're safe." Be caref

life is for me, yet I shall sit and thi

ot tell me if you plan to embark for

oom and Elizabeth was left to her own devices. she sat long and late, listening for the sounds in the house increasing, dwindling, companies departing, t

all the things that she would never dream of doing? What was to prevent her from making such a move? Anyhow at twenty eight, no one gave her what

rtant that she keep her character blameless. It wasn't as if she were about to

would not do in any given day thoughtlessly. And if they could, then why should she no

hair, and several lovely strands of hair followed it as she t

ould be moving in circles away from Aunt Beatrice 's spiteful tongue? She rose drunk with power and the sherry, and balancing herself turned slowly to the firep

he lace cap into the fire grate. At last without any preliminary movement, the round disk of

y this before her, raising her hand to take a small step back as the orange fire blazed up, seizing a small piece of lace

bursts into laughter for she have tasted scandalous and wonderfuls

ook a clean sheet of fresh paper. Stroking it gently with her hand, she tweaked her lips as she looked at the huge mass of sheer white that la

d do, if she dared. The first answer was plain, and though she would not think to tell Benedick

nce of finessing it. They placed the nib onto the parchment, and she wrote with purpose and authority. Kiss someone She

it? "Kiss someone" was not quite what she wanted to say though. With a clenched lower lip, she said only one word. Kiss

no turning back now, as I have just written the most scandalous thing. The next few items

oot and dr

stride

h a

a p

t a gent

int glimmer of a smile on her lips as she went through each item visualizing herself sitting in a room with the haze of smoke a

pped there, with the seven items that had come quickly. But for all that it was

nest with herself. Which prompted her offering to write

the subsequent items were going to be even more painful to write. "Right, then." She said the words loudly in her voice that sounded like

imaginary list. She adored dancing. She always had. Growing up, she had snea

n the play. Dancing was what she had expected in her first season; and as years passed and became a spinster, the invit

standing on the outskirts of dance halls all over London tired her. She hated the po

in the middle of it. Of course, she would never be on the center of that luminescence. The women in the middle of th

onsidered beautiful. Just once. It was the most unlikely item on the list...she could only

he did not see her that way. Not he was just a man who wanted to chase his cockscomb, to ease the pain of a young girl s

a silly exercise. Taking another deep breath, Elizabeth rose from the desk, folded the paper neatly and secreted

ad toward the stairs, she heard a sound from outside – low and indecipherable. Levering herself up to stand, Elizabeth made sure the do

thing that was outside the car, but she was certain she w

red to say so...to flatter your fiancée." "My fiancée." It was easy to tell

eth clapped her hand over her bursting Laughter when she saw that

t. What decision could she quietly shut the door and wait for them to go? Or should she

" The cloudy tones were deep with the faint laughter of a man. At last, I realized that

the only noises heard being the noises of lips against skin and silk against skin. Good Lord, said Elizabeth, her mouth opened in surprise. Of course, she shouldmake sure to close the door. Then why didn't she? Because it wasn't fair. It was just not fair if her baby sister should be experiencing this wonderful new world of love; her sister who had followed her around as a child; the one who sought her counsel and companionship. transformers inclinat

continue with their acts. But Mariana got to there before she could, she blurted out, Wheezing. "No, Riv. We cannot. My mother would certainly strip us both naked and horse-whip our skins black if we got in her way of having this wedding. Rivington groaned softly. "She has two other children." "Yes, but..." Elizabeth did not have to look at her sister, for her thoughts were reflected on the pause that followed. What are the probabilities that any of them will get engaged to wed any time soon? "Benedick will marry," Rivington said, still keeping=read partially a jest in his voice. "He's just still going to wait until the very en

for herself. If she remains so..." He hesitated and tried to find the right word and Elizabeth almost leaned forward trying to overhear – her position ridiculous she could easily fall down. "Passive...she shall never have those things." Passive? Elizabeth could easily picture Mariana silently giving her thoughts her seal of approval. They say that 'Elizabeth needs an adventure'. Of course, she shall never seek one out." They said nothing more; their words, which did contain no ill feeling, but whose impact was so unbearable, hung in the air around Elizabeth. A

e that woman. Nonetheless, it had happened, however – and the how, the precise details of the how she could no longer even say – somehow, she had lost her direction...and somehow, without knowing it, she had made this choice instead of that: this ordinary, mundane, safe life rather than the exciting, the passion-filled one. And now her younger sister was just a few feet away–not just from potential suicide, but from bringing about her ruin, or as good as– and Elizabeth had never been kissed. They know only too well how it is enough to make a spinster commit suicide. Of course she had done enough

ventional, Liz not at all Elizabethan path. With a final deep draw of fresh air, she flung the door of the study open to reveal that dark foyer of Aragon House and made sure not to care if she would run into Mariana and Rivington. However s