Taming the Wicked Wulfe: The Rogue Agents, #1

By Tammy Jo Burns

Rebekah is forced into a proxy marriage to a man she despises for the sake of her orphaned niece and nephew.  Her new husband, Thorn Wulfe, holds the key to all the secrets of her long-buried past.

Thorn, considered the Wicked Wulfe by many of the ton, operates one of London's most notorious gaming hells, the Lady Luck.  When his brother is killed, he finds his life turned upside down with a wife he does not want, and two children to care for.

When old secrets come to light and enemies make themselves known, Rebekah and Wulfe are going to have to decide what is more important…the past, the present, or the future?  Will they be able to learn to trust and love one another along the way?  Or will their secrets keep them apart forever?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Tammy Jo Burns
• Release date: Jul 15, 2014
• ISBN: 9781501488399

Book preview

Prologue

June 1809

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When are the others showing up? Liam asked in his thick Scottish brogue.

Any time. Are you certain you’re ready for this? Thorn volleyed back.

I have no choice now, do I? the larger man chuckled.

Baptism by fire, Thorn muttered.

What was that?

Nothing.

These men want to become partners in our business?

Yes.

When will they be here?

Bloody hell, Liam, do you never shut up?

If a man is to find out things, he needs to ask questions, Liam pulled out a pocket watch. Half past nine, he muttered.

Should be any minute. Nice watch.

Thanks.

Someone special give it to you?

She used to be. I’ll be lucky if she ever talks to me again.

The men heard approaching footsteps at the same time. They were at the end of the alley, not a great position to take up when fighting an enemy, but they had scouted it the night before and knew the lay of the land. A puff of smoke heralded the entrance of William Thomas, Earl of Glandingham and two of his burly footmen. This man believed himself to be much more important than he was.

Gentlemen, I’m so glad you could keep the meeting.

Nothing would keep us from it, Thorn said. "Your note said you wanted to buy into the Lady Luck. I’m not certain we are looking for another partner at the moment."

It would behoove you to reconsider my offer, Wulfe.

Just what are you offering?

Fifty thousand pounds and I am your only partner.

What the hell? Liam interjected.

Shut up, you skirt wearing bastard! Know when you are in the presence of your betters.

I won’t take that from the likes of you, Sassenach! Liam argued.

Glandingham nodded at the two men on either side of him and they moved on Liam. Although the man outweighed each of them by a stone, they cornered him, landing punches on his face and ribs. They dropped him to the trash-littered ground of the alley. The men kicked him in his back, legs, and head.

Enough! Thorn yelled, causing the men to fall back.

We can finish him off for you, Wulfe, Glandingham needled.

No. Thorn Wulfe withdrew a pistol hidden beneath his coat and walked over to Liam. The man lay on the ground, coughing and trying to catch his breath. Fifty thousand pounds, you say?

Fifty thousand.

Wulfe? Liam pushed up off his stomach and looked at Thorn.

Sorry, old man, it has been a good run, but we must part paths now, he said, cocking the pistol.

No! Liam yelled as Thorn pulled back on the trigger, the loudness ricocheted off of the walls of the buildings surrounding them. The Scotsman fell face down on the ground, dark liquid pooled around him like a lake. Wulfe replaced his pistol and stepped over the body of his ex-partner.

"Glandingham, shall we go to the Lady Luck and finalize the terms of our agreement over a nice brandy?"

Indeed, and since we are going to be partners, call me William.

Shall we? He held out his hand for the earl to go ahead of him, not offering the same amount of friendliness that Glandingham had. He left the alley, never once looking back.

Dawn broke over the city of London when Thorn finally retired to his rooms. He dropped heavily in the chair behind his desk, a bottle of Scottish whisky next to him. Today had been taxing for him on many levels. A knock sounded on the door just as Thorn removed the stopper from the bottle. Come in, exhaustion tinged his voice.

I have some papers for you to sign, sir, his valet, Barkley, entered the room.

What are they?

I don’t know, sir. Mr. Brown brought them and said they are in regards to various estate matters.

Why isn’t Teddy taking care of it?

That is a question for Mr. Brown.

Give me the damn papers, James. What about the other? He asked as he dipped a quill in ink and began scrawling his name at the spots indicated, not reading what he signed.

Taken care of, sir.

Here, he pushed the papers in James’ direction. Have those delivered to Brown.

Yes, sir. Anything else?

How are you at telling people their son is dead at the hand of his partner? He looked up and saw the look of disapproval that crossed James’ face. For God, King, and Country, he lifted the whisky bottle in the air before drinking directly from it.

Sir?

You’re dismissed, James.

The valet turned and left the room, quietly closing the door behind him. Thorn started the letter three times before he finally found a way to inform a family that their son had valiantly died that night, never once mentioning his part in the whole sordid affair.

1

April 1811…

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Theodore Wulfe, I will not do it! I don’t care that you are a bloody duke! Nothing you can say could make me ever want to tie myself to that man. I cannot believe you even have the nerve to ask such a question of me, Rebekah stormed to the window and looked through it, unseeing.

Rebekah, the man behind her said in a gentle tone, much like one would use when attempting to calm a wild horse. Do you see those children out there?

Yes, she whispered, letting her forehead fall against the glass, welcoming the coolness. She knew what he would say next, and Lord help her, she could not hate him as much as she wanted to.

They are my life. They are the best of both Sarah and me, as you well know. You have helped care for them since they entered this world. Do you want them sent to an orphanage? Hell, Rebekah, do you want them sent to Sarah’s parents? Do you want them deciding the future of this dukedom? the Duke of Wulfcrest queried.

No! Rebekah exclaimed, horrified, looking at him over her shoulder. She turned back to watch the two little ragamuffins that played outside with their matching Wolf Hounds, Piddles and Smelly. Smiling, she remembered how she had tried to coax the children into naming them something else, but they were as stubborn as their mother which explained why their names made vague references to bodily functions beyond a young pup’s control. Sarah’s parents would never allow the children to have pets of any kind, let alone the menagerie they seemed to keep. No, two four-year-olds deserved to be allowed to play and be rambunctious, not locked away in a living tomb.

Sarah loved you. I love you. We could not ask for a better adoptive mother for our twins, he broke off into a coughing fit.

Rebekah tried to tune out the coughing, but found she could not. She could no longer deny that he continued to get worse. She also knew that if she turned around, the handkerchief he used would have flecks of red on it. She wanted to rage at Heaven about the unfairness of the situation. These two precious children would be orphans in a matter of months. Teddy and Sarah were wonderful people who did not deserve to be taken so young. Especially when his rotten, good for nothing brother still drew breath. A man who could not be bothered to attend his sister-in-law’s funeral. A man who had not shown his face around Wulfcrest Manor in years. A man who if she saw him, there had better not be a loaded gun nearby. A man that Teddy wanted to tie her to for the rest of her life.

Teddy, I have a wonderful idea, her face lit up as she turned to look at him. Once more composed, he looked at her expectantly. Why don’t you and I marry? It would be a marriage of convenience. I could care for you. Why are you shaking your head no?

I will be taking myself off to London at the end of this week. I don’t want the children to see me decline. It will not be pretty and if I can spare them, I will. That was one blessing in regards to Sarah’s accident, she did not linger. And besides, if I know my in-laws, they will fight you for the twins regardless. Knowing that Zachary will rule a dukedom, Hezekiah will want to have him close so that he can attempt to turn him into a pious monster. No, Rebekah, you need Thorn’s strength to help you. The two of you will have to provide a united front to fight the Reverend and his wife.

That is going to be most difficult when I want to kill him myself.

Rebekah, I have told you on many occasions that he has excellent reasons for everything you accuse him of, Teddy sounded as if he were attempting to patiently talk to a small child.

So you say. I still reserve the right to despise him. Even now, he needs to be here and where is he? Or should I say whose bed is he in? He is single-handedly destroying your family name, and all you do is make excuses for him. It sickens me. She turned once more to stare out the window. The children were playing tag with the dogs. Squeals, laughter, and barks filtered into the room.

On this we will just have to agree to disagree.

Teddy, he runs one of London’s most notorious gaming hells! How can you excuse that?

I have said all that I will say on the matter.

Oh, she growled, Sarah said you could be stubborn when you set your mind to something.

And I have set my mind to this. Need I remind you what Sarah said when I held her in my arms as she took her last breaths?

No, she bit out, tightening her hands into fists, her nails digging into her palms. She refused to give in to any more tears. It had been two years since they buried her sister, and best friend, but some days it felt like only yesterday.

She wanted you to be happy.

And marrying your wastrel brother is the solution? she asked incredulously, spinning around to face him once more.

Regardless of what you think, family is very important to Thorn. He loved Sarah like a sister for most of his life. He loves his niece and nephew. He tolerates you, he tried to tease.

"I loathe him."

What really happened between you two?

I have no idea what you are talking about, she huffed and moved across the room.

Sarah always suspected there was more between the two of you than you let on, but she said you remained tight-lipped about it.

It was none of her business and now it is none of yours.

Fine. He held up his hands knowing he would not get anywhere further on that front. He started to say something but another fit of coughing overcame him. This time it lasted longer than before and had him doubling over until Rebekah could assist him to a chair. Once seated, she quickly got him something to drink. She made to stand up when he grasped her wrist. She could not help but notice that his grip had weakened over the weeks. Kneeling beside him, she looked up at him and saw the desperation in his eyes. Please, Rebekah.

Those two words were like a death knell sounding over the valley. Suddenly she felt as if someone had put the last nail in her coffin and she could not take in enough air. Do what you must, she said, rising to her feet.

Thank you. You don’t know how this eases my mind. He took her hand and gave it a gentle squeeze.

I’m going outside with the children, she said, slipping out of his grasp, and escaping from the room. Once she reached the coolness of the darkened hallway, she came to a stop. Bloody hell and damnation, she muttered, nerves and anger jockeying for first place position inside her. This will never work. I’ll kill him first. She pushed away from the wall and made her way outside. The spring sunshine felt wonderful on her face, a light breeze blew, lifting the tendrils of hair off her neck.

Aunt Bekah! Two beautiful tow-headed children called out simultaneously. She began to chase after them, the pups chasing her, in hopes of forgetting her recent conversation with Teddy and the change it would have on her life. The five of them played until Rebekah collapsed on the ground in a most unladylike heap. She lay on her back, her arms flung wide looking up at the cloudless sky wondering when her life had begun to spin out of her control, and then pinpointing it exactly. Rebekah would have cursed her soft heart and that moment in time if it were not for the twins.

All of a sudden, her arms were full of warm, wiggling bodies. Zachary and Ivy lay as close to her as possible, one on each side, their heads resting on her arms. Piddles and Smelly lay close by, keeping watch. Rebekah dropped a kiss on top of the head of each child before looking at the sky once more.

Aunt Bekah, why’re you so quiet? Ivy asked.

Are you sad? Zachary queried.

A little, she answered honestly, but nothing for you two to worry about. Let’s see if we can pick shapes out of the clouds, she coaxed the twins.

Snake! Zachary shouted, laughing and pointing above causing his sister to squeal.

Giraffe, Rebekah pointed out, causing both children to giggle. None of them were aware of the man watching wistfully through the window.

Theodore Wulfe, Duke of Wulfecrest watched the trio through the window in his study, a smile played on his lips at the same time a lone tear ran down his cheek. They would be fine with Rebekah overseeing their care. He just hoped Rebekah and Thorn would not kill each other before the children were raised with families of their own. He saw a movement out of the corner of his eye. Theodore could see a rider approaching the house from a window that faced the front drive. Hopefully he brought the signed papers he had been waiting on.

His butler delivered the packet of papers. Teddy shuffled through them, finding the ones that he needed. A true, full smile lit up his face. They had done it, by damn! It had taken several individuals’ involvement and subterfuge, but they had the necessary paperwork. He hoped the archbishop would use the money that he had donated wisely. Thorn had signed the paperwork two years ago, not long after Sarah’s death and Teddy’s discovery of his terminal illness. His brother had no knowledge that he was committing himself to a future with a ready-made family. Teddy knew he should feel bad about his trickery, but he did not.

What he regretted was having told his wife about his declining health. If he had not told her, she would not have been upset when she went riding and would not have been riding as if the hounds of Hell were on her heels. He had chased after her but had been too late. He had arrived in time to cradle her in his arms as she breathed her last. Teddy dashed away the tears that lingered on his lashes. He looked out the window once more at his children playing without a care in the world.

Jones, send for the vicar in the village of Brookside. Tell him all is in order, and he is needed right away.

Yes, Your Grace.

Theodore Wulfe collapsed in the chair behind his desk, weak with relief and illness. They had taken a chance and conspired against his brother, but it had worked. Now he would not have to worry about the twins being raised in the same strict and horrid conditions Sarah and Rebekah had been. Sarah, the meek child, had come away from her parents’ house with both physical and emotional scars. He could not imagine what scars the strong-willed Rebekah carried. Neither he nor his wife knew what had happened to force his sister-in-law to live with them, and he could not even begin to imagine. He just remembered her showing up on their doorstep with just a small bag that held a few special items, looking like a ghost of her former self. He could not remember how long it had taken her to laugh and even now, her laughter was rare.

He pushed up out of his chair, pausing a moment as he waited for a wave of dizziness to pass. Teddy walked to the French-style doors that led outside. He stood on the terrace and soaked up the warmth of the spring day. Best to get this over with.

Rebekah, the paperwork has arrived. I have sent for the vicar.

What? She exclaimed, sitting up quickly. The twins sat up as well, their pillow gone.

You are to be married today.

Who are you marrying, Aunt Bekah? Zachary asked.

Are you going to stay with us? Worry crept into Ivy’s voice.

Of course, I am staying with you. I am marrying your Uncle Thorn. There, she had finally admitted it out loud, and there would be no going back now. Their future was now entwined whether she liked it or not.

Uncle Thorn’s here? The children squealed in delight, jumping up from where they still sat. They had seen him less than a handful of times, but his visits were special times for the children.

No, he isn’t here, their father answered the question.

Oh, Zachary said, unable to hide his dejection.

Then how are you going to marry him? Ivy asked.

Teddy, would you care to answer this? Rebekah asked, her brow arched at her brother-in-law. She stood up and swiped at the grass and leaves that clung to her dress and hair.

Teddy lowered himself to a chair on the veranda and his children ran to him. They stood patiently in front of him awaiting his explanation. You see, Uncle Thorn is working on something very important. He looked up and saw the way that Rebekah stood, her arms crossed. She rolled her eyes at his explanation. He cannot be here, so I am going to stand in his place.

You’re marrying Aunt Bekah? Ivy queried, her head cocked to one side.

Yes and no. The children looked at each other for a few moments as if they were communicating without saying a word, then shrugged at each other. I will represent your Uncle Thorn since he can’t be here. It is called being married by proxy.

Proxy? Ivy asked. Who’s proxy? Is that the vicar?

Finally taking pity on Teddy, Rebekah intervened hoping her explanation would make more sense. It isn’t a who, but rather a what.

Oh, the little girl said, her nose scrunched up.

Do you know when we play make-believe? Rebekah waited for the twins to nod before continuing. Remember when you have me play a knight, even though I am not a boy? Again, the twins nod. This is the same thing. Your papa is pretending to be Uncle Thorn so that we can be married. You see, he is all the way in London, working very hard and cannot be here. Now do you understand?

Both children nodded their agreement. Aunt Bekah is going to marry a knight, the twins chorused.

Rebekah stood up straight, hands on hips, and stared at her brother-in-law. Well, what have you to say about this?

You did better than I did. And perhaps they speak some truth. You could be marrying your knight in shining armor, he added mischievously.

I doubt that very much, she gave an indelicate snort before spinning around and heading inside. I am going to make myself more presentable since we are to have guests. Rebekah escaped to her room and shut the door. She thought she had more time to prepare herself for this fate that awaited her -- at least several days, not the hours that she faced. By the end of the day she would be Lady Rebekah Wulfe, wife of Lord Thornton Wulfe, rogue extraordinaire. How had fate led her to this? Her mind attempted to dredge up memories from the past, but she fought them back, refusing to allow them to surface.

She pushed away from the door and walked across the room to study herself in the mirror. A plain woman stared back at her. She had straight dark-brown hair and darker skin from spending time in the sun that most society women would frown upon. Her eyes were perhaps her best feature, rimmed in long, dark lashes they were what one would term hazel. She had a scar that bisected the brow over her left eye, and served as a reminder of that long ago incident that she faced every day. Her eyes tended to change color with her mood, making them mercurial and difficult to hide how she felt about something or someone. Her lips were bow-shaped and naturally lush. Her nose was thin and just a bit upturned at the end.

She slowly undid the buttons of her dress and let it slide down her arms, followed by the chemise underneath. Rarely did she look at her body, but today she studied it. One might describe her as looking virginal, but looks could be deceiving. She walked over to her dressing table and picked up the hand mirror that lay there. She walked back to the cheval mirror. Her breasts were small with pink-tips. Her waist nipped in and her hips flared slightly. Her stomach was flat and she could see the dark hair that peeked from the apex of her legs. She leisurely turned until her back faced the mirror and pulled her silky straight hair over one shoulder.

Rebekah lifted the mirror in her hand, adjusting it so that she could see what she wanted. Lines crisscrossed her back. Scars from a childhood filled with rebellion. Scars from a foray into adulthood that left her bloody but unbroken. These scars are why she found herself willing to become the Lady Thorn Wulfe and marry a man she despised. Because as much as she might despise Thorn Wulfe, she could not allow Zachary and Ivy to ever suffer what she and their mother did growing up in that awful house.

Two hours later Rebekah sat at the dining table with Teddy, the twins, and the vicar and his wife. They had been allowed to join the adults on what Teddy considered a special occasion. She reached for her glass of wine and paused as the ring on her left finger sparkled in the candlelight. It felt heavy on her hand, reminding her of all that had transpired today. She felt relief that Teddy had had the foresight not to put on her hand the ring that Sarah had worn. If he had done that, she would have been unable to hold back the tears that she currently fought. Instead, her husband’s signet ring encircled her finger. Ignoring it, she took her glass and drank deeply. Her life would never be the same.

Lady Wulfe, are you all right? The vicar asked at her elbow.

Yes, I’m sorry, Vicar. It isn’t every day that a woman finds herself married, is it?

No, it isn’t. I just wish your young man could have been here.

Yes, she murmured before taking another deep drink.

You will be the envy of all the women, the vicar’s wife, Mrs. Young, said. Wulfe is such a handsome man, and there is such mystery surrounding him.

Mystery, Rebekah huffed before taking another drink, only to find her glass empty. She caught the eye of a footman who quickly refilled it. She let the conversation flow around her, not contributing overly to it. The wine continued to flow and before she knew it, the vicar and his wife were leaving.

You are going to have a hell of a headache in the morning, Bekah, Teddy said as he helped her up the stairs.

That is Lady Wulfe to you, she slurred and stumbled up two stairs before standing upright with the help of Wulfecrest and the bannister. Not even a proper wedding night, but there was that one night.

What night? What are you talking about?

I don’t kiss and tell, Teddy, she waggled her finger at him in mock reprimand.

Perhaps I should break the news of this marriage to my brother in person, Teddy said.

He doesn’t know? Rebekah giggled uncontrollably. That’s rich! She continued giggling. I’m married to a man who doesn’t know he’s married. He’s going to murder us both when he finds out, she singsonged.

He will not. How many glasses of wine did you have? Teddy demanded.

I lost count. Why is the room spinning? She asked curiously as they entered her bedchamber.

Just climb up on your bed, Teddy instructed.

Wanted a marriage like you and Sarah. So happy. But now I’m stuck with Thorn. Will always have a thorn in my side, she giggled and flopped back on the bed. Soon she slept the sleep of the truly inebriated.

You, dear sister, are going to have a terrible headache in the morning, he told the inert form sprawled across the bed. He looked around the room and spied a shawl draped over a chair. He grabbed it and covered her with it rather than fighting with the bedcovers. Thank you for all you have sacrificed for my children, he whispered and brushed a kiss across her forehead.

Thorn, kiss me again, she mumbled.

What secrets are you carrying? he asked the sleeping woman. Knowing he would get no answer, he turned and left her room, closing the door so as not to disturb her sleep. He walked up another set of stairs and paused, catching his breath before he entered the room that the twins currently shared. Why aren’t the two of you asleep? he asked teasingly.

We want a story, Ivy demanded.

Teddy settled on a chair between the two and preceded to tell them the story of how a charming duke had rescued a beautiful fair maiden. He made his and Sarah’s courtship sound like a fairy tale to the twins. It would be his last gift to them before leaving them in the care of their aunt. Eventually they drifted off to sleep and he spent most of the night watching them, committing every little detail about them to memory. In the early hours of the morning he let himself out of their room and moved to his room to pack a bag. He picked up the bag and carried it downstairs to his study. He sat at his desk and composed three letters, two of which were to be opened years from now. He also left a book with the third letter. The book contained all the important information that Rebekah would need to know about the estate. He turned and placed two of the letters in the safe and left the remaining one and the book on his desk.

Teddy gathered up his bag and left the house for the stables. He saddled his favorite horse, mounted, and left Wulfecrest Manor for the last time.

A few hours later, Rebekah awoke to a pounding head and nauseated stomach. Now she regretted every last glass of wine she drunk last night. Her head pounded even louder as the sound of wailing reached her ears. Her door flew open and two little bodies launched themselves at her, not having a care for the physical agony she currently found herself in.

What’s wrong? she asked. Her mouth felt dry and her eyes were gritty. She tried to bring the twins into focus, but let her head fall back on the bed once more instead.

Papa’s gone! Ivy cried.

What are you talking about?

Aunt Bekah, Zachary said, his little hands fisted on his hips, Ivy told you. Papa’s gone. He took Mama’s picture.

Rebekah knew at that moment that sometime during the night, her brother-in-law had taken the coward’s way out and left for London. Looking at her niece and nephew, she could not blame him in the least. Instead of raging at him, she gathered the twins close and let them cry out their sorrow, allowing them to think he had just been called away for a few days and had not gotten to say good-bye before he left. She, too, took the coward’s way out.

2

June 1811

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Wulfecrest looked around him at the sights he passed. London had changed over the years, but in some ways it had not. New buildings were being built, and a foggy haze seemed to perpetually live over the city, but the smells remained the same. You could smell the perfumes and colognes of the upper class masking the unwashed bodies of all levels of society. The Thames had its own smell of fish, sea, and waste. A wracking cough overtook Teddy at that moment and he quickly brought a handkerchief up to his mouth. He was getting worse, and the journey to London had not helped.

He had left Wulfecrest Manor two months ago, not wanting to force his children to watch his decline. He had traveled to an old hunting lodge that belonged to the family and had stayed the last two months there, with only an old family retainer knowing where he was and seeing to his needs. Only when he began worsening did he decide it was time to come to London and see his brother.

Once he reached his London townhouse, he asked his butler there for directions to the Lady Luck. The older man looked appalled that he would want to know the whereabouts of such an establishment.

Why, Your Grace, I wouldn’t know where to begin to look for such an establishment.

Never mind, Grigsby, I will seek out the establishment myself. Teddy found himself standing in front of the War Office. He walked up the sidewalk when he saw a man coming out who looked familiar. Mack, he yelled twice before the man in question turned, a perplexed look on his face.

Wulfecrest, it’s good to see you. I didn’t know you were in London, the man’s Scottish accent sounded thick and heavy.

"Just arrived. I need to speak to my brother, and I don’t know where the Lady Luck is." He saw the look of consternation that crossed his friend’s face. They had gone to school together, both outcasts. Teddy had always been sick and unable to be rough and tough like the other boys. Mack had been the illegitimate son of an English duke raised by a Highland laird, who had sent him off to school and out of his sight as soon as possible. Somehow the two had found a friendship in each other.

I don’t know that you should go there. Thorn is deep in intrigue and it would not be good for a well-respected duke to be seen there.

I’ve little choice, Mack. I’m dying, there, he laid out the truth.

No, Mack shook his head.

Yes. I’ve come to terms with it, but there are things, new developments, that I must tell Thorn about.

You’re serious, aren’t you?

Extremely.

I’ll go with you.

They strolled down the sidewalk, getting caught up with one another when Theodore saw something that did not look right. He almost wasted precious seconds wondering why someone would have a hunting rifle on the streets of London when he realized Mack was the intended target. Mack! Look out! He grabbed his friend and spun him so that he stood between Mack and the shooter. A blast filled the air, and people screamed and scattered. Teddy fell against his friend causing the man to have to quickly

Reviews for Taming the Wicked Wulfe

[ROSVI C. GAETOS · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

The heroine is such a shrew...Difficult to like her at all!