ARC Review: Gone With the Rogue (First Comes Love 2) by Amelia Grey

Title: Gone With the Rogue

Series: First Comes Love Book 2

Author: Amelia Grey

Release Date: April 28, 2020 (ARC)

Published By: St. Martin’s Press

Category: Romance – Historical – Regency

Type: Digital – Paperback

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Rating: 

Heat: 

Blurb: 

A powerful handsome rogue finally meets his match in Gone With the Rogue, the second book in the First Comes Love series from bestseller Amelia Grey.

She had an acceptable marriage of convenience. Now widowed, can this determined and beautiful mother find true and forever love?

The sinking of the Salty Dove took her husband’s life—but it didn’t drown Julia Fairbright’s courage to endure. She creates a proper life for herself and her young son. But now, the ton’s most notorious rogue is back, and how he makes Julia feel is anything but proper. She can’t deny the desires he awakens in her, even though she knows that the handsome devil will surely break her heart.

Garrett Stockton owns a successful shipping company and is rumored to have a woman on every continent and half-a-dozen in England. The truth, however, is that Garrett has but one mistress: the wide open sea. That is, until he meets Julia, whose spirit of independence matches his own. What begins as a flirtatious battle of wits turns far more passionate than either of them could have imagined. Suddenly, Garrett’s only desire is to sail into the sunset with Julia as his wife and young Chatwyn his son. But she won’t take his hand—how can he convince her that his love is real and his heart is hers?

 By reading any further, you are stating that you are at least 18 years of age.

If you are under the age of 18, please exit this site.

Favorite Lines:

“You must be careful not to be seen. A neighbor across the street has a spyglass and I’m told she’s not shy about using it.”  ~  Julia

You are not good for me, Mr. Stockton. You make me forget myself and what’s at risk. I take too many changes whenever you are around.”  ~  Julia

Suddenly Julia had a feeling she knew where the gifts had come from, and she murmured, “Perhaps a pirate sent them over.”  ~  Julia

“You are dangerous. I really don’t know what to think about you other than I can’t stop thinking about you.”  ~  Julia

“We aren’t bound by vows to anyone else. What we do together will hurt no one. We are both free to do as we choose.”  ~  Garrett

“Surely you know by now that I don’t need a reason to want to see you. I simply want to see you.”  ~  Garrett

Vocabulary Word:

Langour

 noun

lan·​guor | \ ˈlaŋ-gər  also -ər \

Definition of languor

1: weakness or weariness of body or mindthe languor of convalescence

2: listless indolence or inertialanguor brought on by a hot summer afternoon

Excerpt:

          It seemed only a second or two later he was standing on the widest point of the same wobbly limb with her, but with his back and weight pressed tight against the trunk and his eyes staring intently into hers. She suddenly felt as if all the quivering leaves on the tree were in her stomach as every muscle in her body tensed at his closeness. He stood beside her, tall, confident, and decidedly male. An unmistakable awareness passed between them. What struck her even more disturbingly was that he had ignored her pleas to go away. He was determined to help her. How many times had she asked others to help her break free of the duke’s domination so she and Chatwyn could be free to live by themselves? Countless. Everyone had refused her, including the duke’s two older sons and his daughter. They were as restricted by him as Julia was. And now this man was helping her when she wasn’t even in need of it. Julia knew Miss Periwinkle would return. 

          Rays of late-afternoon sunshine found a sliver of space between the bouquets of leaves, glistening off his golden-brown eyes and highlighting strands of his tawny-brown hair. She wanted to reach out and brush the wayward strands away from his forehead, but held back that feminine instinct and asked, “How did you do that so fast?”

          “I’ve climbed the mast of a ship many times.”

          Julia stilled. Her heartbeat slowed as long-ago memories rushed past. The mention of any ship always brought the sinking of the Salty Dove to mind. It had taken her husband’s life and more than one hundred others. She lowered her lashes over her eyes, as she often did in a show of respect, honor, and memory of all who were affected that day by the passenger ship going down in a violent storm off the coast of Portugal. 

          “I shouldn’t have said that,” he offered, with a tone of regret in his voice. “It was careless of me to mention a ship and remind you of the tragedy and your loss.”

          So he had recognized her name. He knew her story. “Please don’t worry yourself,” she said, lifting her gaze to his face. “No words are necessary.”She didn’t mind talking about the disaster that befell the Salty Dove, its passengers, and the crew four years ago. Lost friends and family should be remembered. 

          When it happened, Julia had found herself in the unenviable position of being eight months with child. Perhaps some ladies would have taken to their beds in sorrow and grief, facing the overwhelming burden of suddenly being a widow. Julia had never been one to allow situations to get the best of her. She accepted the blow fate issued and carried on. Besides, she had to be strong for the babe waiting to be born. 

          Julia hadn’t been in love with her husband when she married him or when he died, but she had always been grateful to him and respectful in all ways. Now that he was gone, she honored his memory and felt sadness that he hadn’t lived to see his delightful son. 

          “My mourning is long past,” Julia said quietly. “Life goes on, Captain Stockton.”

          His eyes seemed to take in every detail of her face as if he were delicately searching for something before he nodded once in acknowledgment. 

          “Not everyone who owns a ship is a captain, Lady Kitson.”

          “I hear you own many ships.”

          He ignored her statement, but not her. His gaze swept down her widow’s dress. Dark plum color, long sleeves, high neckline with the proper amount of cream-colored lace trimming it. She didn’t mind the sensual way his glance brushed over her. It was purposeful and filled with interest, causing tingles of awareness to tighten her chest and stomach. 

          “How did you manage to get up here?” he asked, testing the strength of the limb beneath his foot. 

          “The same way you did, though I am willing to admit it wasn’t as easy or as quick for me as it was for you.”

          “And I will admit you are quite accomplished to have done so.”

          His compliment was like a gift of fresh air. Unexpected, but heartily welcomed, since she was feeling weak from the heat and exertion of holding herself on the limb. She was certain his praise was sincere and not just flattery. She couldn’t let his words pass without giving him a brief smile before saying, “Miss Periwinkle hasn’t returned as swiftly as I’d expected. I hope you can save me before I lose my balance and hurt myself with this wretched collar.”

          “We can’t have that.”

          “Then tell me, sir, how do you propose to get me out of this untenable situation?”

          “A man should never offer to rescue a lady if he doesn’t have the means to do so.”He slowly bent his knees, slid his hand down to the top of his boot, and pulled out a leather-handled knife. Flickering shadows and dancing sunlight glinted off the short blade. 

          Relief came sweet and cooling as an October breeze. “Yes, Mr. Stockton,” she said softly. “That should do it, but will the thinner part of the limb hold the weight of us both?”

          His gaze fell to the branch. He was silent for a moment. That worried her. 

          She held out her free hand toward him. “Why not give me the knife and let me do it?”

          “No, Lady Kitson,” he answered, taking off the glove on one hand and stuffing it into the pocket of his coat. “You must trust me to do this.”

          She looked at his mouth, wide with well-defined lips, and thought about his words. If the wood splintered and broke, she would be—well—the possibility was suddenly too real and too horrible to think about. She stared into his warm, golden-colored eyes again. Because he seemed so sure of himself, she said, “Very well. Since I have little choice in the matter and even less patience or strength left to argue, let’s get this done.”

          He reached up and grabbed hold of a different limb than the one she held, then steadied himself, too. “Turn as far away from me as you can and then place both your hands on the branch above you. Rise to your toes and lift as much of your weight as possible with your arms, and hold yourself up for as long as you can.”

          It wouldn’t be as simple as he made it sound. Already her arms trembled from the strain of the last half hour. Yet she must do as he instructed. She couldn’t twist very far without tightening the collar across her neck, but she took in a deep breath and pulled up and onto her toes. 

          The branch swayed down and creaked under his weight. She heard the quick intake of his breath and gripped the limb tighter and gasped, shutting her eyes tightly. Thoughts of dangling from the tree only by her collar, her feet kicking, and never seeing Chatwyn again flashed through her mind. For a moment, she thought she might scream, but then she heard a soft, masculine whisper near her ear: “We’re fine.”

          His soothing words penetrated her fears. Julia’s lashes fluttered up. 

          “It’s going to be all right. I’m not going to let you get hurt.”

          Mr. Stockton was looking at her calmly. His faith that everything was going to be all right flooded her. She sensed a bond developing between them and knew she could trust him to get her down safely. He was going to save her. She gave him a hint of a nod. Cautiously, he took another step, and another, and then he was right in beside her. 

          It had been a long time since she’d been so close to a man. The way his physical presence filled the crowded her space between the branches was calming but also wonderfully stimulating. She couldn’t help but notice how broad and strong-looking his shoulders were and had to suppress her innate desire to grab on to him for safety and to feel his masculine strength beneath her hand. 

          “I’m going to reach around you, so don’t try to look at me or worry about what I’m doing,” he said, in a low voice.

Highlight:

          Gasping in horror that her little boy would be so familiar as to lock his arms around a stranger’s thigh, or anyone’s, and be happy as a puppy while doing so, immobilized Julia. Mr. Stockton seemed completely calm. He looked down at Chatwyn, ruffled his hair a couple of times, and asked, “Who are you running from?”

          “Miss Periwinkle is after me.”

          Julia could only manage a whispered, “Chatwyn, what are you doing?”

          “Playing chase,” he answered loudly, looking around Mr. Stockton’s long, sturdy, and quite powerful-looking leg to stare at Julia. A gleam of youthful mischief shone in his bright blue eyes. He giggled again. “And I caught him. It’s his turn to chase me now.”

          “What?”Julia almost sputtered the word. “Absolutely not! Mr. Stockton isn’t playing with you. He is a guest in this house. Let go of him this instant!”

          Miss Periwinkle made it to the bottom of the stairs and assessed what was going on. “I am very sorry, my lady,” she said hastily. “I told him it wasn’t playtime but he can get past me so quickly. Master Chatwyn, you must come with me at once.”

          Chatwyn paid no mind to Julia nor to Miss Periwinkle. He continued to stare up at the man he held hostage, seeming captivated by him. Spurred into action, Julia rushed forward, and the timid Miss Periwinkle reached for Chatwyn. 

          Mr. Stockton stayed the governess’s hand and glanced back to the distraught Julia. “He’s all right. He’s just being a little boy.”

          “A very naughty boy,” Julia whispered under her breath, stopping beside the two. 

          Mr. Stockton looked down at him, smiling. “It looks as if you won the game. I’m caught and can’t go anywhere.”

          “I’m fast and strong,” Chatwyn said. “Do you want to play chase with me?”

          Julia listened to her son in stunned disbelief, quite humiliated by his refusal to obey her command and let go of Mr. Stockton. “He’s not the duke, Chatwyn. He can’t play games with you.”

          “Your mother’s right,” Mr. Stockton said good-naturedly. “I can’t play with you today, but maybe another time.”

          “When?” her son asked. 

          “I’ll have to discuss that with your mother and she’ll let you know.”

          Mr. Stockton glanced at Julia. She gave him a grateful smile. He was being kind and patient to a little boy who was misbehaving badly. She heart softened even more toward the sojourner. “Chatwyn, you must let go of him now.”

          “I’m going to be tall like you when I get older,” Chatwyn said, continuing to ignore his mother completely. “When I turn five, I’ll be as tall and big as you are.”
          “You probably will.”

          “What’s your name?” Chatwyn asked. 

          “That is none of your concern, young man,” Julia said sternly, having had enough of her son’s deliberate disobedience. “Let go of him this instant or you won’t be allowed to go outside for the rest of the day and maybe not for an entire week.”

          “Chatwyn,” Brina said, walking up to him with York ambling slowly behind. The old dog looked as if he had no clue as to what was going on in the entryway. 

          Brina stopped beside Chatwyn and bent down to his level. “Look what I have here in my hand. I brought you something I think you will like very much.”

          Chatwyn’s blue gaze searched the pretty wrapped package she held. “What is it?”

          

          She placed it close to his face, and with a smile she said, “Smell this and I think you’ll know.”He leaned in and put his nose against the cloth. So did York, who had nudged in between them. There was no doubt when Chatwyn caught the scent of baked pastry and fruit filling. His eyes grew wide with delight. York’s tail started wagging and he licked his chops. He might have lost his hearing but not his sense of smell. 

          “Mama, can I have one?” Chatwyn asked. 

          “Of course, but you must—”  

          Chatwyn didn’t wait to hear more. He let go of Mr. Stockton and reached for the tarts. 

          Brina pulled them back just before his little hands closed around the fragrant bundle, and rose. “Not yet, my little friend. You can’t eat them here in the entryway. That wouldn’t be the polite thing for us to do. You must come with me and I’ll give you one—or two or maybe three if you are a good boy.”

          “I’ll be good.”He looked at Julia. “I love you, Mama.”

          Julia’s throat clogged with emotion. “Come on,”Brina said. She held out her hand to him. In an instant he reached up for her. Brina smiled at Julia. “No need to thank me. We’ll be in the breakfast room if you need us.”

          With a bob of her head, Julia motioned for Miss Periwinkle to go with them before taking in a deep breath and facing Mr. Stockton again. Their eyes met and held. What had just happened left her feeling drained, and strangely moved by how he’d talked to her son and how he’d looked at him so calmly and didn’t seem perturbed at all. She was grateful he wasn’t as horrified as she was by her little boy’s behavior. 

          Instead of following the food as a younger dog would have done in hopes of a dropped crumb or two, York decided to sniff around Mr. Stockton’s boots. She reached down and tried to brush the old hound away, but he didn’t obey her any better than Chatwyn had. 

          “I’m sorry for that display of childish behavior and his wanting to be in control,” she finally managed to say and hoped Mr. Stockton didn’t hear the catch in her breath. “Chatwyn is still learning his manners and, apparently, has further to go than I realized.”

          “He was fine. He behaves better than some of the men I’ve sailed with.”

          His words comforted her and she whispered a laugh. “I remember you saying yesterday you didn’t know much about children. That can’t be true. You certainly showed you know how to handle a rambunctious little boy. You didn’t blink an eye at his overactive behavior.”

          Mr. Stockton looked thoughtful, as if he were weighing whether or not he wanted to say what had entered his mind. He must have decided against whatever it was because he looked down at York, who acknowledged him with a woof. 

          “What’s this fellow’s name?” he asked, and knelt on one knee to rub the foxhound’s head, behind his ears, and down the back of his thinning fur. 

          “I call him York, but I don’t think it matters. He doesn’t hear very well and no longer bothers to be inquisitive about most things.”

          “He has a few years on him.”

          “Yes,” Julia agreed softly, thinking of her fondness for the old hound. “I have no idea how many.”

          “So you haven’t had him since he was a pup?”

          “No, only a little over a year. I’m glad to see him moving around today. The journey from Sprogsfield this week was hard on his bones. But he’s getting up and walking better now that he’s had time to recover from being curled upon the floor of a coach for the better part of two days.”

          Mr. Stockton gave her a quizzical look and rose. “Does he belong to the duke?”

          As if sensing he’d gotten all the attention he was going to get, York turned away from them and slowly walked down the corridor toward the breakfast room. 

          “Heavens, no. I found him on a street here in London. He was so thin, dirty, and hungry, of course. I brought him home with me. Since I was a child I’ve had a fondness for old dogs. They’re so gentle and seldom seek attention like the younger ones. I only take in strays who are older and can’t take care of themselves anymore. I enjoy giving a little comfort to them in the last years of their lives—no matter how long that might be. When York is gone, I’ll find another to care for.”

          Mr. Stockton’s steady gaze didn’t give away his thoughts. All resolve she had not to be tempted by the adventurer fell away from her as easily as rose oil gliding across her skin. 

          She didn’t know why, but she felt as if he wanted to reach over and touch her cheek, brush his thumb across her lips, and then let his fingertips trickle down her neck while kissing her softly. And she would have let him, but he made no move to do so. It was odd, but she had the feeling he wanted her to make the first move. She was tempted to do just that even though it was foolish to think about the possibility of doing such a dangerous thing. Mrs. Desford could walk past the doorway at any moment. 

          “I’m not sure I’ve ever met a lady quite like you before, Lady Kitson. Freeing trapped butterflies and saving old dogs. You obviously have a very tender heart.”

          She did have a love for all animals and couldn’t bear to see them mistreated or neglected. “You forgot educating girls, Mr. Stockton,” she said with a hint of pride in her tone. “With the school, I’m helping improve their lives now and for their future. They will have the skills of a seamstress when they finish and will be able to take care of themselves, should they ever need to do so. I’m quite pleased about that accomplishment, too.”

          He stepped in closer to her. “I don’t know how I could have forgotten that.”

          “You probably have no idea why I’m so interested in the school, do you?”

          “I know,” he answered softly. “I wasn’t without news of London while away. I received mail in India and Turkey. I mentioned my childhood friend who will be getting married, Wiley Calder. He and my manager, Mr. Urswick, keep in touch with me when I’m away. Whenever letters or financial papers were sent to me, newsprints and other readings from home they thought might be of interest were always included.”

          Julia puffed out a soft laugh. “By other, do you perhaps mean the gossip pages and scandal sheets? Do you dare admit you read them?”

          He met her teasing with all the confidence a rogue should have. “I read each one and was happy to get them. No matter how far away I was, how eager I was to see different places and experience the different customs in the world, I was always eager to receive news from England.”

          “I’m sure I would be that way, too.”

          “Why do you stay away for so long each time?”

          “There has never been a reason not to. Mr. Urswick is the most intelligent man I’ve ever met. He’s a genius with numbers and details. I trust him to manage the day-to-day business of my company.”

          “You are fortunate to have him and such trust in what he does for you.”

          Mr. Stockton nodded. 

          “With conflicting emotions, she said, “You didn’t come over here just to tell me you went back to get the butterfly net, did you?”

          “No,” he said with remarkable ease, taking a step closer to her. “I wanted to see you again.”

Review: 

Julia had her life figured out. Married to a good friend for convenience, everything seemed to be working out fine. But a freak accident on a ship suddenly took her husband’s life. He would never know his son and she would be stuck under her father-in-law’s rule for several years to come. Threatening to take her son, his only heir to the Dukedom, Julia is forced to live properly without the slightest hint of scandal. But her inquisitive nature and strong spirit often have her walking a fine line between behaving as she’d like to and keeping just below the Duke’s radar. Living in his household with his staff proves most difficult. Still, she wishes no ill will toward the Duke, just her freedom. It’s a dream she will never attain until one fateful day when she overhears information that could change everything for her and her son. Springing into action, she sets out to find the evidence that will provide her freedom. But when Garrett Stockton happens along and finds her caught in a tree, suddenly taking risks becomes a regular occurrence. The rake tempts Julia to distraction. But with her son at risk, she cannot afford to completely lose herself in Garrett, despite how much she longs to. With little time to produce the proof, she enlists the aid of Garrett and together they work to uncover the mystery that surrounds the Duke.

Garrett is completely caught by the spirited beauty as soon as he discovers her up in that tree. A self-made success, he only stops in town for short periods before the sea once again beckons him away from dry land. But Julia quickly replaces the call of the sea with a siren call of her own and when she seeks his assistance, he has little choice but to help her. He wants much more from her and would do anything to be able to call her and her young son his. Discovering the evidence doesn’t prove to be too difficult, but deciphering it might prove impossible. Should Julia’s plan fail, he is not above absconding with her and her son out to sea to escape the dastardly clutches of the scheming Duke. But proving to Julia that his rakish days are behind him and that he is fully committed to both her and her son is going to be a challenge like he has never undertaken before. The risks are great, but the treasure to be obtained is worth the risk because losing Julia is not an option.

Picking up several months following the previous book, Julia is now keeping an eye on the school for girls. With Brina traveling for short spells and Adeline now living in the country with her husband (for now), the responsibility lies with Julia. Brina, however, returns with some news of her own, leaving Julia shocked while trying to be supportive and understanding. What I completely despised about this scenario is that Adeline and Lyon are absolutely NOWHERE within this book! What the heck? It’s the three women who started the school and brought about this series. All three are so different in nature and add something of value to the friendship, so for one of them to be completely absent was disheartening. I loved Adeline and Lyon and was looking forward to a chance to reconnect with them. Because of this awful turn of events, I took the rating down to a 4. This was my biggest problem with the book. For those of you who don’t read the series in order for some reason, it likely won’t affect you one iota. But for me, as one who tries to read in order whenever possible, I was very nearly heart-broken by Adeline and Lyon’s absence.

Much like the first book, Garrett knows exactly what he wants almost immediately, but Julia has several reasons to put him off. Her reasons are valid, of course. She is completely under the control of the Duke and her fear of losing her son keeps her from acting as she would if she were truly free in her widowhood.  Given the fact that I am aware of Brina’s deep love for her departed husband, I would hazard a guess that in this respect, the third book will likely follow a similar course. What I did enjoy was Julia’s love for life and respect for living creatures. A respect that Garrett whole-heartedly shares. Had she not been full of so much spirit, she would never have been caught up in the tree, and would likely never have crossed paths with Garrett. Conveniently, when Garrett stumbles upon her, he is considering seriously courting a woman. And so the seduction begins. I also liked that Garrett is a bit of a rebel within the ton. Accepted but still somewhat shunned for making his own business a success, he tends to live life on the edge, taking risky chances, but seemingly always coming out on top. Also enjoyable is the kitchen disaster in which Brina and Julia decide to try their hands at cooking and baking, having never in their lives done such before. In my own estimation, that scene played out just about as real as it would have had it truly happened.

This book was an enjoyable read, but not quite as enjoyable as the first book in the series. Would I still recommend it? Absolutely. But I believe that many who start with the first book will have a similar feeling like my own in seriously missing Adeline’s presence. As far as the sexual chemistry, the passion was present and the couple of scenes in which anything actually occurred were respectful. Slightly tamer than the first book, I would say. Even those with delicate sensibilities would likely take little to no issue with the passion within these pages. I’m extremely curious to see what direction Ms. Grey takes with Brina in the next installment. As I recall, with the previous series I read from Ms. Grey, I adored the first book, enjoyed the second book, and felt the final book was the best. So far I am leaning toward similar feelings in this series. So perhaps the next book will be the best. I do not know, but I aim to find out. Despite my upset at the lack of one of the main characters within this series, I still found this book a pleasant experience. Ms. Grey did create a world in which I fully immersed myself and found a beautiful escape for a while. Julia and Garrett were a joy getting to know as they navigated through and uncovered a web of deceit all while finding the passionate love they each craved within one another. Even Chatwyn was a fun bit of willful child peppered throughout the story. I kind of wish he had a few more scenes as he was quite skilled in stealing them. For those of you who enjoy regency romance with a tamer side of romance, this is the book for you. Spirited widow, a reformed rake, strong-minded child, nefarious Duke, and even an aging rescue dog or two; this book is sure to immediately engage its readers from beginning to end.

Kindle version provided by NetGalley/St. Martin’s Press in exchange for an honest review.