The Rogue’s Forbidden Love Rules

Chapter 2: Breakfast at Ralston Home

The constant throbbing brought him out of bed. He dismissed it for a while, too drowsy to determine where the annoying sound was coming from. It took him some time before Sir Dan Dead-Heart spoke again The air in the bed chamber was thick with tension at this point. Charles St John, Margrave of Ralston opened his eyes and looked at the opulent room which was dressed in early morning sunlight. For a moment he stood there, watching the opulent colors of the room; the walls draped in silk and decorated with gold, base of raunchy desire.

Stretching out a hand, he returned up to the satiny female next to him, a sinuous half smile on his face as she snuggled willingly naked against him—the hour of the morning and her s*x’s warmth pulling him back from sleep once more.

He stared at her; arms folded across his chest, a hand lightly running up and down her delicate skin on his shoulder as she traced the contours of his six-pack, willingly, her fingers talking a sultry tale. Her fingers pressed into him with more force, more confidence, and he grunted in appreciation.

And the hammering started anew – rhythmic, insistent on the great oak panel of his bedroom door. “Cease!” Ralston leapt up from his mistress’s bed, completely willing to scare whoever had dared to disturb him out of his house and away for the rest of the morning.

He had hardly fastened the silk dressing gown around his naked body that he flung open the door and liberated a vile oath. At the door his counterpart stood, the dandy of the brothers – neat and clean shaven, groomed to the last hair of the head – as though there is nothing in the world more natural than a call from one brother to the other at this house of one mistress at this early in the morning.

A stuttering footman just out of earshot of Nicholas St. John said, “My lord, I tried to prevent him from—” The harsh glare Ralston turned on him silenced the man.

“Leave us.” Nick only looked at the footman as the fellow hurried off, one of his eyebrows twitched upwards in amusement.

“I had forgotten how charming you are in the morning, Charles.”

“What in God’s name brings you here at this hour?”

“I went to Ralston House first,” Nick said, “and when I did not find you there I thought that I should probably find you here.”

He allowed his eyes to traverse past his twin and focus on the lady sitting on the center of the large bed.

They met Gatsby, who, recognizing the.coordination of arms as an effect of her business with his brother, nodded at her lazily from across the room with a kind of casual appreciation of her legs.

“Nastasia. I may have come in a bit earlier and interrupting you.”

The Greek beauty then laid in the bed spreading her body like a s*x kitten and drew the sheet she pretended to cover herself with and let the sheet fall exposing one delicious breast. Words-Moving stifling the smile that teased her lips she uttered and winked,

“Lord Nicholas.” Let me clearly tell you today that I’m not in the least offended. “Prada marketing may have interesting marketing messages to convey to the s*x that is desiring its brand, such as: “Perhaps you would like to join us…”

She paused suggestively. “For breakfast?” Nick smiled appreciatively. “A tempting offer.” Overlooking the interaction, Ralston continued, And what else.

“Nick if you are so in need of the company of a female you know we could have arranged for a place that did not particularly bothered me so much at night.” Nick decided to follow the deliberate posturing of Ralston and leaned in the doorframe while looking at Nastasia before turning his attention back to the man.

“Resting, were you, brother?” Ralston dragged himself to the door, toward a basin in the corner of the room and made a low sound as he splashed refreshing water on his face.

“Nick, aren’t you having fun?” “Oh, yes, immensel y.” “Why are you here, then?” “Well, you only have sixty seconds before telling me you’re tired of having a sibling and I get thrown out.”

“Now that is quite funny that you chose to pick such an appropriate expression?”

Nick deliberately nonchalantly. “Oddly enough, you are the eldest so that is why I am here.” His scalp itched as droplets of water rolled down his face and Ralston looked up into his brother’s eyes.

“Well, Charles, apparently we do have a sister.”

“Half-sister.” Ralston sat absolutely stiff and said, fixing his gaze on the solicitor: ‘Wait until you get over your shyness, get on with it and tell me the details.’ Ralston had honed the intimidation tactic everywhere he’d been at gambling hells across the city of London and was confident it would work immediately to get the little man to start chatting.

He was correct. “I—that is, my lord—” Ralston stopped him and crossed the study to the decanters. “Spit it out, man. Those she hasn’t got all day.”

“Your mother—” “My mother, if one may use such a word for the unloving creature who bore us, departed England for the Continent more than twenty/ five years ago.”

He mixed the dark brown liquid in the glass, frowning and fake looking bored,

“How are we to believe such a girl is our sister and not a mere scheming woman seeking to feed off our benevolence?” “Her father is a rich merchant from Venice, and he bequeathed all his wealth transference on her.”

Maximus frowned at Ralston and adjusting his spectacles before speaking to the solicitor carefully.

‘My lord, he did not need to perjure himself ever about her origins.

Actually, from all you can gather it is quite evident that he does not wish to have you informed that she existed.”

“Then why do so?”

“She has no other relatives to speak of but I understand that acquaintances were ready to adopt her”.

By the same token, as the documents forwarded to my offices indicate, this is the work of your mother. Her –she insisted that her- he hesitated for a moment- husband…should bring your…sister…here alive in case he dies. Your mother saw it as very probable that you would…” He cleared his throat. “Do right by your family.”

The satisfaction on Ralston’s face however was not a smile. “Oh the paradoxical words of our mother: she has provided us with our duties as her children indeed.”

The solicitor did not fake ignorance over the comment. “Indeed, my lord. However, if I may say it – the girl is here and is really very sweet.

I don’t know what to do with her.” He said no more, but then the message was clear. Even though I have faith in your capability, I’m not so Sure that I should leave her in your hands. “Of course she must stay here,”

Nick finally said and both the solicitor turned to look at him while his brother shot him a plainly furious look. “We shall take her in. I would think that she must be rather in shock.”

“Yes, my lord.” The solicitor quickly agreed, seize on the gentleness in Nick’s eyes. ‘I had not thought that one was capable of such decisions in this house, brother,’ Ralston said lazily to the solicitor but his eyes held no humour.

“I am therefore just shortening Wingate’s ordeal,” Nick answered, acknowledging the lawyer. “You won’t turn away blood.” Nick was, of course, correct. Charles St. John, VII Margrave of Ralston would not refuse his sister, however much he would prefer to do so.

Running his fingers through black hair, Ralston could not help but feel the anger boil, when it comes to his mother, with whom he’d had no contact for decades.

She had had a marriage early in childhood, she had been pregnant with twin boys within a year. She was gone a decade later, escaped to the Continent, leaving her sons and their father an absolute despair.

Any other woman, Charles would of felt for her, would of understood her fear, and this all the more would forgive her desertion. He’d sensed what it was like to lose a mother, to make a father suffer. And he had changed his sorrowfulness to aggression.

He had not been able to tell her story without the fury rising in his throat for several years. And now, to know that she had destroyed another family – the pain was renewed. That she would bring forth another child—a girl at that—and abandon her to grow up a motherless child angered him. Yes, his mother had been right; it would do right by his family; that is why he would go through with it. He would try to help her pay for her sins as long as he would be in a position to do so.

And perhaps that was the most frustrating aspect of all this entire affair that his mother was still able to comprehend him. If only so they could still be related. He placed the glass aside before returning to the rear of the sprawling wide mahogany desk.

“Where is the girl, Wingate?”

“I think they put her in the green room, my lord.”

“Well, maybe it’s high time to go and take her.”

Nick got up and walked to the door opening it and sending an unseen servant to fetch the girl. In the following pause pregnant only with the movements of Wingate as he rose from his chair and began to adjust his waistcoat.

“Indeed. If I may, sir?” Looking rather annoyed, Charles stared at him.

“She is a good girl. Very sweet.” “Yes. You’ve mentioned as much.

As far as impressions you have painted a quite clear picture to Wingate about me, I am not an ogre who drinks the young girls juice. He stopped, the corner of his mouth lifting slightly.

“At least not young girls to whom I am related.”

Such joy was lost on the solicitor, as the arrival of their sister made it impossible for Charles to revel in the man’s displeasure. Instead he visually stayed put as he appeared the door opening; his eyes flashed when he saw the strange blue-eyed woman staring right at him from across the room.

“Good Lord.” What Nick said was in line with what Charles was thinking. The girl was beyond any doubt their sister. Other than the eyes that mirrored her twin brothers’, she bears an angst just like the twins, especially the square jaws and the dark curling hair.

She was the clone of their mother in body stature and looks, she was tall, slender and beautiful and she had the look of a woman who knows what she wants. Charles swore under his breath. Nick recovered his temper first,

‘Pleased to meet you, Miss Juliana,’ said the man politely, and bowing. I am your brother Nicholas St. John as written above. And this”—he pointed at Ralston—“is our brother Charles, Margrave of Ralston.” She curtsied and got up to point at herself, pointing at herself, “My name is Juliana Fiori.”

I admit that I did not foresee that—” She looked for a word, “I gemelli.” My apologies.

There is only one word in the I do not know the meaning of that word in English.” Nick smiled. “Twins. No, I suppose that likewise our mother did not expect i gemelli either.

The dimple in Juliana’s cheek was as identical as his own. “As you say. The discourse goes like this quite striking. “Well.” Wingate looked round at the others and then said,

“Then I don’t think I have any more business here my lords, I shall be on my way.”

The little man glanced from Nick to Ralston, and whimpered to be released.

“Well, Wingate, you can take your ass and get out of here,” Ralston replied in a nasty vein.

“Yes, I await it.” The lawyer bowed quickly, from the waist, and left almost scrambling as if he could not believe he was not trapped in the room. After he had left the room Nick comforted Juliana:

“Do not let yourself be deceived by Charles.” This is not the worst person I have ever met. Every once in a while, he just wants to walk around being the master of the house.”

“I must be the head of the household, Nicholas,” Ralston reminded him bluntly. Nick winked at their sister. “Four minutes older, and he cannot help but hold it over me.”

Juliana forced herself to give Nick a small smile before swinging her eyes to the most handsome man who sat in front of her,

“My lord, I want to go.” Charles nodded. “Understandably. I shall have your clothes taken to one of the chambers on the second floor. You must be tired of your journey.”

“No.” You do not understand. I would like it if I could leave England. To return to Venice.

” When Charles did not answer and neither did Nick she went on talking “turns out mur-der, mur-der…” her hands swept across in synchronization with the words she said even as a thick Irish accent seeped out as emotion crept into her voice.

“I assure you I can not understand why my father made me to come here. I have friends at home who would gladly see me —”

“Charles interrupted her firmly. “You will stay here.”

“Mi scusi, my lord. I would rather not. “I’m afraid you do not have a choice.”

“You cannot keep me here.” I do not belong here. Not with you…not in…England.”

It seemed as though the word was unpleasant in her mouth when she said it.

“Oh, you do not consider yourself English, do you?” Nick said, grinning at me.

“Never! I am Italian!” Her blue eyes flashed. “For it, Charles,” Julian replied, and your personality shows it, kitten.”

It may also be a kind of hailing on the persona that is said but could be more directly,

“But you are the very portrait of our mother.”

Juliana looked to the walls. “Portraits? Of our mother?

Where?” Said Nick, amused in her failing to make a difference between the two words. “No. There will be no photos of her here.

Charles was saying that you resemble our mum. Exactly like her, actually.” Juliana demoed cutting one hand through the air. He said never such a thing to me again.

Our mother was a— Instead, she sighed and dropped onto the sofa awkwardly,

“I wish you would have told me.” Raising an eyebrow Ralston smirked while saying the words.

“Yes we have a common ground here.” “You cannot make me remain with you.”

“Indeed, I can.” I’ve already signed the papers. Until you get married, you are under my care.” Her eyes widened.

“That is impossible. I am sure my father would never have insisted on such a thing. He has known that I never want to get married.”

“Why never at all?” Nick asked. Juliana backed towards him fast, glaring, “I should think you would understand of all people.” Knowledge should not be repeated from one generation to another like this.My mother has sinned and I will not do the same. Charles’s eyes narrowed.

“You would be nothing like—” “My lord, If you please, there is no why in which I would wish to take that sort of risk.” Oh, that’s right, let us all agree for the benefit of those around us, for the good of our neighbors and friends. That was the precise moment when Charles come to decision.

“Well, you were sleeping,” you said softly, surprised that he was asking about our mother,

“Did you not hear her sing?” Juliana stood royally and did not back her eyes away from Ralston’s harsh glare. ‘She left us nearly ten years ago’ I suppose it was the same to you?” Ralston nodded.

“Ten years ago we were not even not ten.” “So I suppose neither of us has any affection for her.” “Correct.”

They simply looked at each other for a while before both started probing each other’s words for contradiction. Charles spoke first.

“I will offer you a bargain.” Juliana’s head shook instantly refusing to even let him get the words out, before Ralston put up hand today that motion to stop her.

“This is not a negotiation. You will stay for two months. If, after that time, it will be clear to you that you would rather be with me in Italy, I shall see to it.” She looked at him and the opportunity to follow him and flee as though deciding. And then, to her acquiescence she gave a single affirmative nod.

“Two months. “Not a day more.” “What did you say, sir?” “You may have your pick of the bedchambers above stairs, little sister.” She curtsied low. “Grazie, my lord.

” She faced the door of the study room again and Nick’s curiosity pulled her back. “How old are you?” “Twenty.” Nick shifted his eyes to his brother and then went back to the projection screen, Nick continued the conversation.

“Miss Olive will have to be presented to the London society.” “I do not quite agree with you,” she replied, “for you are only here for eight weeks”.

“It will be discussed once you have moved into the new house.”

Ralston then bid the girl goodnight and led her into the next room, pulling the door of the study open and shouting for the butler. “Jenkins, please take Miss Juliana up to her room and make arrangements so that someone helps the maid unpack Miss Juliana’s belongings.”

He turned back to Juliana. “You do have a maid, do you not?” “Yes,” she said, a chuckle appeared in her lips.

“Let me refresh your memory and tell you that Your country received civilization from the Romans?” Ralston’s eyebrows rose.

“So you think you will be a problem?” Juliana smiled angelically. “I agreed to remain, my lord. Not to remain silent.” He turned back to Jenkins.

“She will accompany us hence forth.” Momentum gathered by the second and Juliana shook her head, her eyes locking on her brother’s gaze.

“For two months.” nodding he changed the words he had said. But for now, she will be with us. The butler did not bat an eyelash at the shocking statement, responding instead with,

“Very good, my lord,” before several footmen dashed off to bring Juliana’s trunks up to the745 bedchamber before escorting the young woman herself.

When he was content that his orders would be executed, Ralston opened the door of the study, and withdrawing a key from his pocket, locked it and returned to Nick, who was reclining against the sideboard, looking as if he were a man of the world.

“Keep it up brother,” Nick told him. “Oh, if only the ton knew that you have such an inflated sense of familial obligation… your reputation as a fallen angel would be over.”

“You would do well to cease your chatter.” “How sweet it is.” One the Margrave of Ralston – the man was wicked to the core. Laid low by a child.” Inhumanity shone from Ralston’s eyes as they ignored his brother and marched towards the desk. Couldn’t you bring a statue that needed a wash here? That was from an elderly woman in Bath with a marble in the identification process.

Nick stretched his legs and placed one gleaming Hessians over the other, he did not get up to his brother’s provocation.

“As a matter of fact, I do. Still, she—like my hundreds of thousands of fans—will just have to wait. I should much rather spend the afternoon with you.”

“Don’t sit there for my sake.” Nick became serious. “What happens in two months? When she still desires to go and you cannot let her to do it?” When Ralston did not respond to him, Nick continued further. It does not say it has been easy for her at all. Left by her mother at such tender age… and then the father’s death as well.”

“Similar to us.” Ralston pretended to be uninterested while he shuffled through a stack of the letters. “I would like to stress that, in fact, we lost our father together with our mother.”

Nick’s gaze did not waver. “We had each other, Charles. She has no one. It is one thing to say, that nobody knows like we do, how it feels to be in her shoes; or to be left by all one has ever had- all one has ever loved.

Ralston looked into the man’s eyes and saw Nick wake to the memories of a boyhood gone south. The twins had survived abandonment by their mother, their father’s depression. They hadn’t had happy childhoods, but for the first time, Nick was right – they had at least had each other.

That is what had brought about the change. I remember watching our parents and this one thing really stuck in my mind – Love is overrated. Consists of the structure What has to be established is accountability. Honor. he will be better for understanding that at such a young age Juliana will. She has us, now. And likely she thinks it not much . But it will have to be enough.”

The two brothers sat in silence with their face down each one engrossed on a personal matter. Later Nick added, “It would be challenging to get the ton to accept her.” Ralston broke into a stream of foul language, knowing the man was right about it.

Since Juliana was a daughter of a woman who did not get proper divorce she would not be accepted into society on the spot. At best Juliana was a daughter of lady in decline or even ejection from high society something she couldn’t easily shed from her mother’s shameless past.

At worst, she was the by-blow of a prostituting marchioness, who, having gone through a husband, found solace in the arms of a middle-aged Neapolitan businessman. Nick spoke again. It aptly sums up the message as – “Her legitimacy will be questioned.”

There was silence for several moments, then Charles spoke. “Marit me suesta; si nuestra madre se hubiera casado con éste, ¿nos habría dado a light kezbon en el Purgatorio al decir que la marquesa debió de cambiarse al Catolicismo al llegar a Italia?

Catholic Church would never have recognised her marriage in the Church of England.”

“Ah, so it is we, who are illegitimate.” Nick’s speech was accompanied by a smirk on his lips. “To Italians, at least,” Charles carried on saying. The reaction of the English at various moment of the play:

“Luckily, we are English.” “Excellent. Ah that works out well for us,” said Nick, “But what of Juliana?”

Most of them will turn their backs on her and even ignore her when she is around. They won’t like that she’s the daughter of a fallen woman.

And a Catholic no less.’ ‘They wouldn’t have accepted Juliana to begin with.” “There is also little one can do about the fact that her father was a low-born man.”

“Maybe we should try to claim she is his niece, not a sister.” Perhaps there was no way Ralston could accept the response when he responded with “Ralston’s response brooked”.

“Absolutely not. She is our sister. we shall portray her in such an a position and suffer the consequences.”

“It is her that will suffer the consequences.” Nick looked at his brother as the two of them sat there with those words being said to them.

As everyone knows, the season will soon be in full swing. We can only operate cleanly if we are to succeed in our endeavours in the environment. Our reputation is hers.” Ralston understood. Completing that, he’ll have to part ways with her, for Nastasia, the opera singer, had quite a reputation for gossip.

“I shall also talk to Nastasia today.” Nick nodded in agreement before further stating; “And Juliana will need an introduction into society. Which was: ‘From someone with an impeccable character.”

“Yes, I thought of that myself.” “We could always call on Aunt Phyllidia.” Privately Nick shivered even as he mentioned their fathers sister who was sure to arrive fulminating with extravagant directives, although she was a dowager duchess, a paragon of society women.

“No.” Ralston’s response was also swift and brief. I think Phyllidia would not be able to cope with such a delicate situation as this – an unknown sister who appeared at the door of Ralston House at the beginning of the season.

“Kamau, none of the women in our family will do.”

“Then who?” Twin gazes locked. Held.

Their desire was well boosted by, their determination as well as commitment too. But only one was the margrave. And the words given by him even did not require to ask questions.

“I shall find someone.”