What a Reckless Rogue Needs (10 page)

“Father, Wycoff, this is a surprise,” he said. “Are you here to give us advice about our renovation efforts?”

The marquess narrowed his eyes. “We came to ensure the pair of you haven’t engaged in fisticuffs.”

Angeline released Colin’s arm and forced herself to smile. “Nothing of the kind,” she said. “We are taking the divide-and-conquer approach.”

Wycoff frowned. “What?”

Chadwick leaned toward him. “I think she means they’re working in separate rooms. It’s for the best. Less chance of blood being shed this way.”

Colin clasped his hands behind his back. “We made progress today.”

While Colin spoke to his father, Angeline approached her father with more than a little trepidation. “Did you enjoy shooting today, Papa?”

“I did, Daughter, but I am mortally humiliated. Chadwick shot a pheasant, and I bagged nothing.”

“Did you enjoy tramping about the property? You always said it was the best part.”

Her father’s eyes softened. “You remembered.”

I remember all the times we spent together, and I miss you.
“I hope you shoot a bird tomorrow,” she said.

“Maybe not tomorrow, but I intend to before the house party concludes.”

“We mustn’t speak of the bird I shot earlier today,” the marquess said. “The twins will be overset.”

Angeline turned to the marquess. “Oh, I suppose they are tenderhearted about all creatures.”

The marquess snorted. “Nothing of the kind. They wanted to come along with us today and insisted that ugly dog could fetch for us.”

“Well, Wycoff, I suppose we should be off. Perhaps you wish your daughter to travel with you?” the marquess said.

“We’re both covered in mud. I don’t want to inadvertently muss your gown, Angeline,” Wycoff said.

“It’s only mud, Papa.”
I love you and hope you have forgiven me.

“Your mother would not be pleased if I dirtied your skirts.”

“Well, we’ll go on ahead,” the marquess said. “Colin, you will take the maid up in the carriage, of course. Do not dally. Your stepmother will have a good dinner waiting.”

Colin joined Angeline at the door. She bit her lip as the marquess’s carriage rolled away, but her eyes welled.

“Angeline, I hope I did not discompose you earlier.”

“Of course n-not.” The catch in her voice troubled him.

He feared he was responsible, but he wasn’t sure what he’d done wrong.

The sound of horse hooves alerted him. “There’s John now,” he said.

Agnes appeared from the direction of the servant’s stairs and bobbed a curtsy. “I left the feather duster and broom in the kitchen, my lady.”

“Thank you, Agnes,” Angeline said. “We are ready to depart.”

Colin locked the door and turned to her. “Is all well with you?” He knew something was amiss, but he’d never understood women.

“Yes, I’m gratified to see my father in such good spirits.”

She’d implied that her father had been in poor spirits. Obviously the events surrounding Angeline’s broken engagement had been difficult for the entire family. She probably felt guilty, but in his opinion, she’d made the right decision to call off the engagement.

The only thing he didn’t understand was why her father had approved the engagement. Brentmoor was well known for his ruinous gambling and indiscreet liaisons. That begged the question as to how she’d ever gotten involved with the man in the first place.

Angeline had her faults, but she’d never been anybody’s fool. Until, apparently, Brentmoor.

He escorted her to the carriage and helped her negotiate the steps. He sat across from her with his back to the horses and knocked his cane on the ceiling. Minutes later the carriage rolled off. He looked out the window and knew he’d made a mistake today. While he’d only intended to tease her, his blood had definitely heated more than a few degrees.

Nothing of import had happened. Granted, he’d felt a stirring of desire, but he’d not acted upon it.

He tried telling himself he was making too much of it, but she’d been through an ordeal with her former fiancé. The gossip had spread far and wide. Her mother had felt the need to take her abroad because of it. Her father must have taken it hard.

Hell. She’d offered her expertise, and he’d come very close to kissing her, but he had not. He’d teased her, but there was no harm in that. The trouble was he’d wanted more, but that would prove disastrous if he were ever foolish enough to act upon it.

He had no idea what had happened between her and Brentmoor, but he knew the man had ruinous gaming debts and bragged about the numerous married ladies he’d bagged. Colin thought the man disgusting.

There had been countless women in his life, but they had all been fleeting encounters. None of them had meant anything more to him than a tumble between the sheets, but he’d never misled them. He’d never felt an ounce of remorse, because they had all been more than willing. Not once had he considered he might have wounded them. He’d never stayed long enough to know. He wouldn’t even let himself think about the courtesans.

Angeline was a lady, and their families were close. The last thing he needed was to unintentionally set up expectations. He needn’t worry. She’d made no secret of her low opinion of him. There was nothing to worry about. She’d agreed to assist him only because she was bored witless with needlework and apparently enjoyed making over rooms. He need not worry about taking advantage of her talent. She wanted to be involved.

All the same, he vowed to keep their encounters focused on the renovations and avoid flirting with her. She had enough troubles, and he couldn’t afford the distraction.

That evening after dinner

After the desserts, the marchioness rose and all of the ladies followed her to the drawing room while the gentlemen drank their port. Angeline was anxious for their return and hoped to persuade her father to play chess with her. They had not played since her return from Paris. Today, her father had seemed his old self again. She’d worried so much and blamed herself for his melancholy. While she’d not wanted to attend this house party, she was so grateful, because it had enlivened her father.

The twins sang while Penny played the pianoforte. Angeline was proud of her sister. Penny had a natural talent, but she blushed and lowered her eyes the entire time she played.

When she finished, Angeline’s protective instincts rose up. She sat on the bench beside Penny. “I’ll turn the pages while you play.”

Penny smiled. “Thank you, Angie. I always feel braver when you sit beside me while I play.”

“You will practice playing before others at the house party, and if you concentrate on the music, that will help. If you think too much about others watching, it will make you nervous.

“Remember that all the other girls are as nervous as you are. Keep your eyes on the music sheets and shut out everything else.”

“I will remember,” Penny said, and started to play again.

Penny had to overcome her fear of exhibiting before a crowd. It was important, because she would be called upon to play next spring at her debut. Angeline bit her lip and hoped that her scandal would not affect Penny’s come-out. She’d discovered that she could withstand horrible gossip and humiliation, but she could not bear it if her mistakes prevented her little sister from making her debut.

Margaret stood. “Angeline, I must apologize. You received a letter today. How could I have forgotten?”

“Thank you, Margaret.” Angeline whispered to her sister, “Keep playing.”

She walked over to the window seat, broke the seal, and turned the paper. “It’s from Charlotte.” She’d not had a letter from her friend in all the time she’d been abroad. She’d missed her and thought she would never hear from her again. Her emotions rose up, but she had learned how to keep it all buried inside by imagining a steaming kettle. Take if off the fire just before the steam reaches the boiling point.

Out of the corner of her eye, Angeline saw her mother watching. In need of privacy, she rose, and as she walked to the window seat, she overheard Margaret say the letter seemed like a good omen. Angeline could not imagine it. With a deep breath, she started reading.

In the interval since she’d returned home from Paris, she’d been isolated with her family. It was one thing to know her reputation was damaged in the abstract, but it was quite another when it was poor enough that a friend’s husband forbade contact. She knew the reason and still felt guilty because Charlotte’s husband had been furious.

She felt as if a broadsword had pierced her heart.

Oh, God, he’d returned.

Her fingers trembled, and she had to smooth the letter on her lap so that no one would see her vexation. At all costs she mustn’t let on, because she didn’t want Penny to ever know what had happened. She took a deep breath and continued reading.

Deep down, she’d always held out a thread of hope that she could recover from the scandal, but Brentmoor’s return was a staggering blow.

Her stomach felt a bit queasy. An engaged couple was allowed to be alone, once consent was given and the contracts were signed. She’d cried off a fortnight after the contracts had been drawn up, and Brentmoor had made matters far worse by spreading filthy lies about her.

Her spirits sagged. She’d held on to the hope that he would never return and that the gossip would subside. She’d hoped to repair her reputation with time. Now that Brentmoor had returned, there was no hope.

That was the property Mrs. Quimby had mentioned. Clearly the reverend’s wife had not known his name or his circumstances. But the ton would know.

A fog enveloped her, but she caught her mother’s eye and managed to fold the letter perfunctorily.

“Angeline, what news do you have from Charlotte?” the duchess said.

She had to recover quickly, because she did not want Penny to hear the truth. All she could do was fabricate a story. “Charlotte is well and happy. She sent her regards and apologized for her lack of correspondence, but she was only just made aware of our return.”

“How lovely to hear news from your friend,” Margaret said.

Her mother’s expression lit up. “This is wonderful news. I know how much you’ve missed Charlotte.”

She would not be able to hide the truth for long. Her mother’s remaining friends would send letters. Soon, everyone in the ton would know about Brentmoor’s return.

Two years ago, she’d sealed her fate, but her worries were for her innocent sister. Angeline’s chest ached. Because of her, Penny might never have a debut.

Colin rose from the table after an excellent port. He’d only half listened to his father and Wycoff discuss politics. Instead, he’d made a mental list of items he wanted to deal with at Sommerall tomorrow.

“I suppose we should join the ladies,” Wycoff said.

“Go on ahead,” Chadwick said. “I wish to have a word with Colin.”

Colin faced his father. “I suppose you want a report of what I accomplished today.”

The marquess sighed. “You can give me a report next week. I have a concern.”

“About what?”

“I was taken aback by your appearance in the hall today.”

Colin frowned. “I heard the knocker and escorted Angeline downstairs.”

“You held your coat over your shoulder, your sleeves were rolled up, and your hair was disheveled.” He knew it was forbidden to appear before a lady in such a casual manner, but he’d decided to be sensible while working.

“I was sorting items in the attic,” he said. “It’s dusty and crowded with all manner of items. What did you expect?” Of course he wouldn’t mention the highly charged tension between him and Angeline. Why be concerned when nothing had happened?

“At the very least, you ought to have put on your coat in the presence of a lady.”

“For God’s sake, we were working.”

“You ought to have donned it before coming downstairs. It is a mark of respect for Lady Angeline and for Wycoff.”

Colin stiffened. “He took it as an insult?”

“No, he would not have mentioned it, but Wycoff is eaten alive with guilt over his daughter’s misbegotten engagement. When I saw your cavalier manner with her, I grew concerned that he might misinterpret your familiarity.”

Colin rubbed his temple. Damn it all. He had been familiar with her, and there had been that moment in which he’d felt the insistent tug of sensual awareness. “You approved of the two of us working together. If I did not treat her in an amiable manner, I believe
she
would take it as an insult.”

“Son, I agree, but you are missing the point. The cloud of scandal hangs over Wycoff’s entire family. It is very likely that Margaret will have to sponsor Penelope this spring. Lady Angeline’s future is…uncertain. You never even questioned why I brought Wycoff to Sommerall.”

He gritted his teeth. “If Wycoff was concerned, he should have spoken up beforehand.”

“He did not express concern, but I brought him there to reassure him that all was well. As a father, I can only imagine how I would feel if it was one of your sisters.”