What a Reckless Rogue Needs (18 page)

He smiled. “I had a feeling you wouldn’t appreciate it.”

She regarded him with an intense expression. “Was there a reason you brought me here?”

“Yes.” He leaned over and kissed her lightly on the lips, and then with more intention. When she opened for his tongue, he grew aroused and thought at least in this they would be more than compatible. He cupped her face, and for a rash moment, he considered lying and telling her he loved her. With a deep breath, he started to form the words, but she spoke first.

“I’m reluctant to leave, but we had better return.” She sat up and pinned her silly hat to her hair. He helped her up.
Say the words. Lie to her. Make her believe you.
His breathing was too fast and he couldn’t force the words out.

“Colin, what is it?”

He met her gaze and the guilt got hold of him again. “It’s nothing.” He rolled the blanket. Then he mounted Aries and gave her a hand up in front of him. He kept his eyes on the path, but the entire time he was aware of her scent, her sweet bottom, and her trust in him. She deserved better, and he wasn’t sure how he could convince her to marry him. He needed to prepare himself mentally first. Now was not the right time, but he didn’t have much time left.

After leaving Aries in the care of a groom, Colin offered his arm to Angeline and escorted her along the path. He knew what he had to do, but his chest tightened. The devil. Surely there was another way to ensure she would marry him, but he’d racked his brain and could not think of an honorable way.

When they walked inside Deerfield, Wycoff and his father were standing in the hall in muddy boots as usual. The marquess was scowling at Bianca and Bernadette.

Colin noticed tear tracks on his sisters’ faces and the dog sitting there lolling his tongue. “I take it something is amiss.”

Bernadette sniffed. “Papa means to give Hercules away to one of the tenants.”

“Hercules didn’t mean to have an accident in the water closet.” Bianca dabbed a handkerchief at her eyes. “H-he is still a puppy.”

“Thus far, he has ruined a pair of boots, several legs on the tables, and to top it all off, he breaks wind,” the marquess said gruffly.

Colin burst out laughing.

Angeline clapped her hand over her mouth, but her shoulders were shaking.

Margaret hurried down the stairs. “What is all this commotion about?”

“Papa is making Hercules an orphan,” Bianca said.

“Oh, for pity’s sake,” the marquess said. “I rue the day that dog set foot in our house. Enough is enough. Margaret, I know you side with the girls about the dog, but he is damaging our home and is uncouth.”

“Lord Chadwick,” Angeline said. “Hercules is a smart dog. The girls have already taught him how to shake hands. He only needs to be trained properly. I will gladly help the girls with his training.”

“You know how to train dogs?” Colin said.

She nodded. “I had a dog, but he died before we left for Paris.”

Colin met his father’s gaze and then looked at his sisters. “If you want to keep Hercules, you should demonstrate to our father that you will teach him how to behave.”

“You must be consistent,” Angeline said. “When he does well, reward him. That is how he will learn.”

“Papa, will you give us another chance with Hercules?” Bianca said. “We promise to train him.”

“I don’t know,” the marquess said.

Margaret walked over to her husband and patted his arm. “Perhaps we could train you to remove your muddy boots before you walk in the house.”

Colin shared a smile with Angeline and then he turned to his sisters. “You might thank Angeline,” he said.

They put their arms around her. “Thank you,” they said in unison.

The marquess sat on a bench in the great hall and removed his muddy boots. The marble floor was a mess.

Margaret held her hands up as if beseeching a higher power. “I give up.”

Late that night in bed, the marquess sighed. “You have never failed to make me a happy man, Margaret.”

“You are a lusty man,” she said, laughing.

He kissed his wife gently. “I do love you, my dear.”

“And I you.” She sighed. “What do you make of Colin and Angeline?”

“What do you mean? They haven’t killed each other. We’re safe from violence.” He chuckled.

“Chadwick, you know very well what I mean. He took her up on the horse to keep her safe. I find that very chivalrous.”

“For a married woman, you are remarkably naïve, my dear.”

“What do you mean?” she said.

“Chivalry had nothing to do with his decision. No doubt my son was enjoying the close proximity of the lovely Angeline.”

“I’ve seen the way he looks at her when he thinks no one is noticing,” Margaret said.

“He’s a man, Margaret. Put a curvaceous beauty in front of a male, he will look.”

“Chadwick, you had better not look at any other woman or you will sleep in one of the guest rooms.”

“But I have no reason to look elsewhere when I have my own beautiful, curvaceous wife close at hand.”

“Good answer.” Margaret sighed again. “The girls are so excited about their debut next spring. It is all they talk about. Even sweet Penny is enthused.”

“I fear society is not prepared for our twins. No doubt they will create mayhem wherever they go as they’re wont to do.”

“Be serious, dear. I worry that our efforts to champion Angeline will not succeed.”

“You have not said anything to the duchess, have you?”

“No, dear, I would never presume to do so. If it does not work, it would be very hard on our girls as well as Penny. I know Angeline is worried on her sister’s behalf.”

“Margaret, we must leave this to Angeline and my son. If it is meant to be, it will be.”

She snorted inelegantly. “I should have known better than to consult you. Do you think I will leave this up to Providence?”

“My dear, you are determined to play matchmaker, but I suspect Lady Angeline is far too practical to fall for our roguish son. Any woman with half a brain would avoid him.”

“Chadwick, he is our son. You ought to be ashamed.”

“I am, Margaret. Ashamed that I didn’t curb him years ago. You know I could have done it by withholding his funds, but I didn’t. Something must be done. I am taking care of it.”

“Chadwick, please be kind to him. He is our only son.”

He cupped his wife’s cheek. “That is what I love about you, Margaret. You champion everyone, including our rakehell son.”

“Underneath his rakish exterior, he is a good man. He only needs a good woman to help him see it.”

“You are remarkably naïve, Margaret, but I love you for it, and now will you let me love you again?”

She opened her arms to him, the way she’d done the first night of their marriage, and he knew that he was twice blessed.

A
t breakfast the next morning, Angeline and the twins joined everyone else at breakfast.

“We plan to teach Hercules to sit,” Bianca said to the marquess.

“One would think that would be a natural thing to do,” the marquess said.

Angeline smiled at Colin and then addressed the marquess. “Hercules is learning to sit after getting a verbal command. He has done very well.”

“He likes the treats he gets for obeying,” Bernadette said.

“That is progress,” Margaret said. “Thank you, Angeline. I know the girls are grateful as well.”

The marquess snorted behind his paper.

Ames brought a sealed letter on a silver dish to the marquess. “It is marked urgent,” Ames said.

Colin finished his meal and accepted another cup of tea.

The marquess opened the letter and scowled. “What in blazes is wrong with that man?” he demanded.

“Chadwick,” Margaret said. “We do not shout at the table.”

“I’ll shout all I want. That fool Faraday probably takes all day to decide it’s time to take a sh—”

The duchess gasped.

“Father,” Colin said. “Ladies are present, including my very impressionable sisters.” From the gleaming expressions in the twins’ eyes, Colin figured they had added some very colorful words to their vocabulary, probably from the stable boys when they had their riding lessons.

“I can’t believe it,” the marquess said. “Now he wants to bring his wife to have a look at the house. How many times must he see it? I tire of his foolishness. Colin, go meet the man. I’m liable to say something exceedingly impolite or throw him out on his ar—”

“Chadwick,” Margaret said in shocked tones. “You forget yourself.”

“I beg your pardon,” he grumbled.

“If Mrs. Faraday sees the house and approves of it, she may be more likely to make a decision quickly,” Margaret said. “Lady Angeline, you have a great deal of knowledge about design and architecture, perhaps you could speak to Mrs. Faraday.”

Colin set his cup aside slowly. He hesitated a moment, knowing what he meant to do was dishonorable, but he couldn’t let the opportunity pass or he would surely lose Sommerall.

“Wycoff,” Colin said, “if you are amenable, I think it might help if Angeline attended. She could answer any questions Mrs. Faraday might have.”

The marquess addressed his friend. “The other couple will be there, so there’s no question about propriety. I’d be obliged if you will allow it. Your daughter probably knows more about the house than any of us.”

“I can verify that,” Colin said.

“I’ll allow it,” Wycoff said, “provided you return as soon as the business is concluded. I don’t want there to be even a hint of impropriety.”

Colin made himself meet Wycoff’s eyes. He told himself that he could persuade Angeline to agree to the marriage through honorable means. She had certainly given serious thought to a marriage of convenience, but she had not given him a definitive answer. If she said no, he stood to lose Sommerall. Perhaps today, he could persuade her to make the engagement official.

Margaret rose and rang the bell. “I’ll have cook prepare a hamper in the event the house inspection takes longer than expected. It occurs to me that Mr. and Mrs. Faraday may wish to see the grounds as well.”

“Thank you, Margaret,” Angeline said. “That is very thoughtful of you.”

“You had better dress warmly and take an umbrella,” Margaret said. “The clouds are rather gray, and the wind is blowing. You do not want to catch a chill.”

“I don’t think we’re in any danger of that,” Angeline said. “At any rate, a bit of rain won’t hurt us.”

“Can we come with you?” Bianca asked.

“Absolutely not,” Colin said.

“Colin, please,” Bianca said.

“The answer is no,” Colin said. “You will only be in the way.”

“Margaret,” the marquess said, “do you know the going price for unmannerly fifteen-year-old girls? We might get a bit of extra coin if we sell the twins to Faraday along with the house. Their value has increased somewhat since they started speaking the King’s English instead of twin gibberish. ”

“There’s the hamper,” Margaret said to Angeline. “I hope your journey isn’t too soggy.”

“We should be off,” Colin said. “I don’t want to be late.”

The marquess lifted his gaze from the newspaper. “I wouldn’t be in any rush if I were you. Faraday is liable to keep you waiting for some time.”

The carriage had just turned off the drive when the rain started in earnest. Angeline sat beside Colin and looked out the window. “I hope the rain doesn’t keep Mr. and Mrs. Faraday away,” she said.

“I have high hopes they won’t show,” Colin said.

“Oh, I’m sorry, Colin. I spoke heedlessly.”

Don’t feel sorry for me.
“He’s probably afraid to take her out in the rain.”

“Well, it is damp and chilly,” Angeline said. “You indicated she is in a delicate condition.”

“We shall see what happens.” If she balked at the idea of marrying him, he would have no choice but to take drastic measures. He would have to make it seem as if they’d gotten lost in passion. God, he’d never done anything like this in his life. He’d never even contemplated it.

“I was surprised you agreed to meet Faraday,” she said. “You have nothing to gain and everything to lose in this sale.”

“You think so?”
I’m praying Mrs. Faraday hates the house, because the thought of seducing you is killing me.

“What are you planning?” she said. “I can see something is on your mind.”

“I was thinking I might point out all the work that must be done for the house to be in a proper state of order.”

She stared at him. “You cannot be serious.”

He removed his hat and set it beside him. “The thought might have crossed my mind.”
It is preferable to what I intend for you.

“Faraday has doubts enough that he’s returning for the third time,” she said. “I think his doubts are in your favor.”

“He must be very interested or he would not bother to bring his wife,” he said. “Frankly, I’m trying to think of ways to discourage him.”

“You know I support your claim to the property, but you should not discourage him,” she said.

“Even if it means I lose Sommerall and strangers tramp across my mother’s resting place?”

“I understand your feelings,” she said, “but you would not feel right about doing it.”

You have no idea what I would do to keep Sommerall.
“The truth is the house needs work—a great deal of work as you well know.”

She set her gloved hand over his. “Colin, you surprise me. Honesty is always the best policy.”

He narrowed his eyes. “Are you saying you would never use your wiles to get something you want very badly?”

“Not at someone else’s expense.”

His blood heated. He’d grown angry with her. She knew he was a rake. Why was she foolish enough to trust him? “Can you imagine using your wiles for someone else? Your sister, perhaps?”

Her face turned red at his words. “How dare you say such a thing? You know how much I worry about my sister.”

“So the rules are different for you than for me?”

“Stop the carriage this instant,” she said.

“Angeline, I apologize—”

“Stop the carriage. Take me back to Deerfield.”

He’d muddled things up now. “Angeline, calm yourself.”

“No, I will not. How can you be so cruel?”

She has no idea how cruel I mean to be.

“You know how much I worry about Penny.”

He caught her hands. “Listen. It slipped out and was badly done on my part. All I have is a sorry excuse.”

“You’re worried about losing Sommerall,” she said. “It must be the vexation.”

She took off her bonnet and laid her head against his shoulder. “I understand.” She drew in a shuddered breath. “I should have been more understanding and sympathetic.”

“Please forgive me.” He was miserable with his dishonesty and so tempted to confess, but if he did, he would set events in motion that would hurt her and the friendships of both their families.

“I know how much Sommerall means to you.”

I’m a selfish bastard, but I swear I’ll make it up to you.

“It is not wrong for you to want to keep the house to preserve your mother’s grave. The house does need work. There are marks on the walls, the carpets have to be replaced, and the furnishings are out of date. You do not have to exaggerate the problems, but you do not have to point out the virtues, either.”

He clenched his teeth.
I don’t deserve you.
“My guess is our row has been all for naught,” Colin said. “Most likely, Mr. and Mrs. Faraday will not show.”

As the carriage rumbled along, Angeline found herself hoping that Colin was right about the Faradays, because she was having doubts about their trial engagement. She wanted to grasp his offer of a marriage of convenience, because it was a chance to redeem herself. Most of all, it was a gift she wanted to give to her sweet little sister, and for that, she would use her wiles and even marry to make sure Penny could make her debut in London next spring. But it wasn’t fair to Colin. None of her reasons involved him, and that wasn’t honorable at all.

Thunder rumbled. Colin held the umbrella as they ran to the door. The wet made it a bit chilly, and Angeline was glad for her warm cape. He unlocked the door and ushered her inside. They hung their damp wraps and set their gloves on the marble hall table.

“I’ll set the hamper in the breakfast parlor,” Colin said.

“Thank you,” she said. The gold mirror in the foyer, the marble floors, and the banisters gleamed. She realized she’d made a mistake by instructing Agnes to clean and shine everything so well that it fairly sparkled.

Angeline removed her bonnet and guilt left a bruised place in her chest. It had been foolish of her to argue about Sommerall when she hated the thought of him losing the property. It really was all he had left of his mother, other than the cradle and the rocker.

Colin strode through the great hall. “We might as well go to the drawing room. I imagine we shall have a long wait,” he said.

“How long do you think they will be?” she asked as Colin escorted her upstairs.

“He was an hour late the last time, although to be fair he was concerned about his wife.”

They had just cleared the landing when the knocker rapped.

She met his gaze. “They are on time. Do you suppose Mrs. Faraday insists upon punctuality?”

“Probably,” he said.

“Shall we greet them?”

“Yes, of course. We will also get our exercise going up and down the stairs.” He leaned down. “Thank you for coming with me, and I’m sorry for cutting up at you.”

“So am I,” she whispered. Her vexation had increased each day that went by. She could no longer lie to herself. She had developed feelings for Colin, very strong ones. She knew he deserved a wife who didn’t have a sullied reputation, and it worried her. It was one thing to plan a marriage of convenience, but it was quite another when tender feelings were involved. She was at a crossroads, and she did not know what to do. But she must think of Colin’s feelings now, rather than her own.

Even though it was not Mr. Faraday’s first visit, Angeline figured it could not be easy for Colin to watch strangers walking about his house—or rather his father’s house. Yet he was bearing up to it better than she would have done.

When Colin opened the door, he bowed and welcomed the couple. The lady was much shorter than her husband and very pregnant. She rested her hand on her belly as she gazed upon the foyer. “How lovely,” she said.

“Lady Angeline, may I present Mr. and Mrs. Faraday,” Colin said.

Mrs. Faraday smiled as she followed Angeline to the great hall. “How long have you and your husband lived here?”

“He is not my husband,” Angeline said.

Mrs. Faraday’s eyes widened. “I see.” She pinched her lips and regarded Angeline with raised brows. “Well, you are certainly forthright about your situation.”

Colin frowned and held his hands up from his place behind Mr. Faraday as if asking what was wrong.

Angeline bit her lip to keep from laughing. Apparently Mrs. Faraday assumed Angeline was living in sin with Colin.

“Lord Ravenshire is an old family friend,” Angeline explained. “I have been making recommendations to him about Sommerall.”

Mrs. Faraday’s brows almost shot to her hairline. “Doubtless he is, er, appreciative.” She shook out her fan, caught her husband’s arm, and whispered something to him. When he started to look back at Angeline, Mrs. Faraday swatted him with her fan.

The woman must have thought Angeline was lying about her title.

“If you wish, you and your husband may go upstairs and look over the rooms,” Angeline said. “Meet us in the drawing room when you are finished.”

Mrs. Faraday practically dragged her husband up the stairs.

Colin escorted Angeline to the drawing room. “What was that all about?” he muttered.

“Mrs. Faraday apparently believes I’m your mistress posing as Lady Angeline.”

“No,” he said, laughing.

She nodded. “As soon as I explained you were not my husband, I could see she was both shocked and titillated.”

His shoulders shook with laughter. Then he walked to the window and opened the drapes. “No wonder it’s dim in here. The clouds are even darker now.”

Rolling thunder rumbled. Angeline joined him at the window, transfixed by the lightning brightening up the sky. “Oh,” she said. “The lightning is awful.”

“I hope we’re not in for a storm.”

When she shivered, he cupped her elbow. “Let’s return to the sofa. It will pass soon.”

The clock struck the half hour and voices sounded outside the drawing room.

Colin and Angeline rose.

“Mrs. Faraday would like a look at the drawing room,” Mr. Faraday said.

“You are welcome to examine the room. If you have any questions, we will be glad to answer to the best of our knowledge,” Colin said.

As it turned out, Mrs. Faraday had a number of questions regarding the drawing room. She seemed a bit put off by the marks on the walls where paintings had once been. “It would have been better to leave the paintings to cover the marks.”