Andrew McNeal, the Duke of Monsale was a strange mix of a man. He had no qualms about handling what was known in the London crime world as wet work, yet he was fastidious about his garden. The lush greenery of the grounds of Monsale House were the talk of all of high society. Or rather they would be if Monsale ever let anyone other than his small tight-knit group of friends actually visit.
Gus Jones had been a guest at the house, recuperating from his gunshot wound for the past month, and in that time, he had not seen anyone visit the place other than the members of the RR Coaching Company. Even the wives of the rogues of the road were not offered an invitation to come for tea.
Someday however, Monsale would have to let a female into his secret sanctuary. A duke with a title and property, was in need of an heir.
It was the dead of winter, and the rose bushes lining the stone path which ran from the house to the rear high brick wall had been trimmed back to almost nothing. The rest of the garden beds lay sleeping under their blankets of straw, protected from the winter chill.
But the hot house where Monsale grew his treasured Moroccan roses was a riot of color. It was here that Gus spent most of his days, sitting quietly, reading, and making notes.
This morning was no different. With a warm blanket covering his legs and a cup of tea on a nearby table, he was quite comfortable.
When the glass door of the greenhouse opened, he raised his head from the book on coastal tides he had been studying. Monsale’s steward, Adan, approached him, bearing a tray.
It’s too early for my midday meal. Though I could do with a spot of elevenses. But Adan never brings me food.
To his disappointment, the tray only held a small folded up note.
“This came for you a short time ago, Mister Jones,” said Adan.
Gus took the letter and quickly examined it. The corners were creased and there were a number of grubby marks on the front. Dirty fingerprints told the tale of the note having passed through many pairs of hands before finally reaching him.
“Thank you,” he said.
He turned the letter over, and the image of a griffin on the seal had him quickly dismissing Monsale’s steward.
It’s from Château-de-La-Roche. Please don’t let it be bad news.
Gus cracked the seal and unfolded the paper. In his mind, he quickly translated the French in which it had originally been written.
Dear Augustus,
If you are reading this letter, then you are not dead.
Things have gone from bad to worse since you left.
My uncle has gathered a large store of weapons at the château.
He means to go to war with the Lamballe gang and will not listen to me.
Please do not return to Saint-Brieuc—it is no longer safe.
Evangeline
This was the worst possible news. Armand La Roche was a gentleman farmer not a warrior. The villains he was intending to go up against were all battle-hardened former soldiers. Men who had seen years of tough fighting under Napoleon.
“He doesn’t stand a chance.”
Gus glanced at the blanket which covered his knees. His wound was mostly healed, with only muscle tenderness still giving him any real trouble.
The truth was, he had remained at Monsale House because he couldn’t think of anything better to do. He had steadfastly refused Stephen’s repeated pleas for them to discuss the future of the smuggling operation. Even Monsale’s efforts had been rebuffed.
Who knew that a duke could pout when he didn’t get his own way?
Just because the rest of the rogues of the road were one by one retiring from a life of crime, didn’t mean he had to follow suit.
“Besides, what else would I do?”
Peeling the blanket off, he got to his feet. He read Evangeline’s note once more and made a decision.
“I can’t just sit here and smell the bloody roses.”
It was time he went home, made his apologies to his parents for his shoddy treatment of them, and packed.
He had heard the siren call. His friends needed him. The Night Wind would once more sail to France.
Augustus Trajan Jones was going to war.
Read Gus and Evangeline’s story in
In the burning, shattered ruins of a French château, smuggler Augustus Jones makes a promise to a dying man. He will find the men who have abducted his missing niece no matter what the cost.
But Evangeline La Roche is not a captive, instead she is on the hunt for revenge, determined that those who have sought to destroy her family will pay dearly for their crimes.
The last thing Evangeline needs is for Gus to appear and attempt to become her hero. While she has long held a secret attraction for the smooth talking Englishman, she has also made a vow to never trust a member of the criminal Rogues of the Road.
Bound by his promise, a reluctant Gus, is forced to go along with Evangeline’s plan and sets out with her on the long road to Paris. Travelling through the wilds of Brittany, the first flames of desire spark between them. Both are powerless to resist temptation.
As they close in on their enemies, Gus and Evangeline are shocked to discover that the tables have suddenly turned, and they are now the prey.They face a desperate and dangerous race back to the coast to where a boat is waiting to take them to safety.
But will Gus be able to convince Evangeline that what they share is enough for her to flee her beloved country and start a new life with him in England?