Natalie was in her bedchamber after breakfast, cutting the ivory satin she had purchased from Mary, still unsure what to do with it when Hannah barged into the room.
As always, her face was pink, and her eyes were bright with the news she had brought. “I received word early this morning about The Rogue, and The Londoner published it!”
She handed Natalie the sheet. But Natalie frowned as she read about the rampage Jasper led in East End. What disturbed her was why he would make men pillage another man’s property.
“The Rogue was wild last night!” Hannah bounced on the balls of her feet.
“Why would he do this?” Natalie asked, more to herself, but her cousin responded.
“That is what I am going to find next. I think he is mad.”
“What gave you that thought?” Natalie asked, once more, thinking about the reason why Jasper created the Rogue.
“You did not finish reading, but never mind. I will tell you.” Hannah sat beside her on the bed. “He not only gambled and led a conquest last night, but he also rejected every woman that neared him. He has never done that before. He is mad with love.”
Natalie’s insides fluttered. His rejecting women did not mean anything. He could simply have not been in the mood for passion.
“You look as though you do not believe me, Natalie.”
“I do not know what to believe,” Natalie feigned surprise. “Everything about the Masked Rogue is speculation. No one truly knows anything.”
“Yes, but he was seen without a woman—”
“Is that unnatural?” Natalie laughed.
“For the Rogue, yes, it very much is. The man known as the rake of rakes…”
The mention of rake moved Natalie’s thoughts to her list. She was yet to kiss a rake, and the Masked Rogue was one. She had kissed Jasper, a supposedly perfect gentleman. She could kiss the Rogue to complete that wish, even though they were the same man. After all, there was no rule regarding the order or requirement to complete the list. Though shehadkissed him the night when he returned her to her home, it wasn’t the same as he had removed his mask then.
“Natalie?”
She blinked and turned to look at Hannah. “Yes?”
“You are awfully distracted today. Is something the matter?”
Natalie shook her head. “No, nothing is wrong. What were you saying?”
“I was wondering if it is the woman he rescued at the park – if she is the one he loves.”
She shrugged. “You will have to search and discover, Hannah.”
“Yes! He risked exposing himself by fighting the scoundrels that night. He would never have done that if he did not have a heart. A heart that could love.”
“He does not have a heart,” Natalie mumbled to herself, thinking he truly did not have a heart if he could ruin her reputation and forget about it. She was sure now that he had no recollection of the event.
As Hannah continued talking about the Rogue, more questions came to Natalie’s mind. What motivated the Rogue? What made him different from the Duke within? But more importantly, what birthed the Masked Rogue?
She felt an overwhelming curiosity take control of her. She wanted to know everything she could about both Jasper and the Rogue.
At three that afternoon, Viscount Wessberg called upon them and invited Hannah for a walk at the park. Naturally, the invitation was extended to Natalie, and she went to Hyde Park with them.
She walked slowly behind Hannah and Wessberg, studying them and looking for anything that would assure her of his intentions. Hannah was not desperate to make a match, but Natalie was for her. George had told her that the Viscount was a good man. If Hannah married him, she would be cared for and protected.
“Lady Natalie!” someone called, and when she turned around, she saw Lady Phoebe leaving a group of ladies and walking toward her.
“My Lady,” Natalie greeted with a polite curtsy.
“How glad I am to see you this afternoon.” Lady Phoebe looped their arms, and they continued following Hannah. “You did not tell me you are acquainted with my nephew.”
