What a Reckless Rogue Needs (27 page)

“I could prepare a tea tray,” she said. “Margaret sent a hamper.”

“That would be nice,” he said. “Let me help. It’s a bit heavy for you.”

Not long after, he got a decent fire going, and the kettle whistled. He removed it while Angeline added tea leaves to the pot. He poured the hot water and sat beside her.

“While we wait for the tea to get dark, I thought you might like to see my mother’s miniature.”

He took out the box and showed her the pearl-encrusted frame.

“She was beautiful,” Angeline said. “Where did you find it?”

“My father had it stowed away in his desk. I suppose he felt a bit guilty keeping the miniature because of Margaret. He gave it to me. So you see all is not lost.”

Angeline bit her lip and nodded, because she was an adult and it was silly to cry on his behalf, but she felt his disappointment in her own heart. “I imagine Mr. and Mrs. Faraday will be kind enough to allow you to pay your respects to your mother periodically.”

“Yes, I’ll speak to them. It shouldn’t be too much of an imposition, I hope.”

She poured the tea. “I confess I’m a little sad. I’d looked forward to replacing the furniture and draperies. We never did get around to discussing a laundry and a spring vegetable garden, but that’s no longer your concern.”

They drank their tea in silence.

She set her cup aside. “Will you be staying through the Christmas holidays?”

“I have business in London. I’ll journey home a few days beforehand.”

She felt as if a clock were winding backward to the first night she’d seen him outside the drawing room at Deerfield. Everything had changed and then settled back to where they started the journey to the house party.

“Would you like to walk to your mother’s mausoleum?” she asked. “I would be glad to accompany you.”

“Thank you. I would like that very much.”

The wind was blowing autumn leaves everywhere. A red squirrel scampered past, reminding her of Hercules. When they reached the mausoleum, he took out the miniature and kissed it. “You will not be forgotten,” he said.

Tears poured down her cheeks.

He took out a handkerchief and blotted them. “I think she would have liked you.” He put his arm around her shoulder and led her back to the house.

“Do you want to walk through once more?” she asked.

“Yes, I think so.” He lit a lantern and led her up the stairs. “Let’s start at the attic, shall we?”

She gave him a weak smile. “We did spend a great deal of time there.”

They stepped inside. “Everything is in order,” he said. “But I don’t see our mouse.”

She laughed.

“I expect my father will send servants for the rest of the items.”

Colin took her hand, and they walked through the nursery. He retrieved the box of tin soldiers. “I think I’ll take this for sentimental reasons.”

They walked into his father’s old room where the shaving stand stood. Then he led her through the connecting door to his late mother’s room.

“Well, the bed didn’t catch fire, but it was a near thing.”

He startled a laugh out of her. “Oh, I cannot believe the things I said and did.”

“You may scoff, but truly it was one of the best nights I’ve ever had.” He looked at her from the corner of his eye. “I hope you have no regrets.”

“I don’t,” she said.
I will never regret loving you.

He sat on the edge of the bed and patted the mattress. “Sit with me. There is something I wish to tell you.”

She took a deep breath and joined him.

“I have sent letters to my friends. I gave them no particulars, but, and this hopefully will not unsettle you, they are very aware that Brentmoor mistreated you. Harry and Bellingham are willing and more than able to bring in supporters for you. With your permission, I would like to do everything in my power to restore your good name.”

She stood and walked to the window. When she pulled back the drapes, brown and orange leaves swirled in the wind. “I intended to ask my mother, Margaret, and Charlotte to help.”

“I believe Mrs. Norcliffe will help as well, but I want justice for what he did to you and your family.”

“I don’t know if it is even possible,” she said. “I could refute certain things, but more than one man saw me in the gardens with Brentmoor.”

“He tricked you, and I’m certain it would not surprise anyone, given his bad reputation. I’ll leave the choice to you, Angeline. You don’t have to decide now.”

She thought about the way Brentmoor had manipulated her father. She thought about the way he’d tricked and humiliated her in those gardens, and she thought about all the lies he’d told. All those things welled up inside her.

“I’m tired of worrying about how this is affecting my family. I am furious with that man for what he did to me, and undoubtedly what he has probably done to other women.”

“You’re shaking,” he said.

“I’m shaking with fury. How dare he hurt my family and me? I want him brought down to his knees.”

“Consider it done, Angeline. I promise you, I’ll see him literally brought to his knees.”

Two days later

Everyone had gathered for a walk. Bianca attached a leash to Hercules. Angeline bent down to the dog and said, “Sit.”

Hercules licked her hand.

The marquess strolled by and scoffed.

Colin laughed and then a knock sounded. He walked toward the foyer and saw Ames handing over coin to a man bringing the post. When the butler shut the door, he looked at the addresses and held them out to Colin. “My lord, you have two urgent letters from London.”

He suspected who had written them, but he would say nothing in front of the others. Colin exchanged a long look with his father. Then he said, “Please go on ahead with the walk, everyone. I will join you after I have dealt with a business matter.” He bowed and hurried up the stairs.

Colin gritted his teeth. He had to be strong for Angeline, even though he might have to read disgusting and false rumors about her. Better him than her. But he also had to gather as many supporters as possible to attest to her good character. It was a daunting prospect, but he’d sworn to clear her name, if at all possible.

“Good Lord,” Colin muttered. “I’ll kill the bastard.” He took a deep breath and continued reading Harry’s letter.

Colin had to pause a moment. He knew the fiend had tricked her and purposely exposed her, but it was still difficult to read. He gritted his teeth and continued on.

Colin blew out his breath. Now he knew it was worse than he’d expected, but he was determined to vindicate her honor and see Brentmoor brought to his knees.

He opened the next letter, which was considerably shorter and to the point. Colin would have recognized Bellingham’s style anywhere.

Colin counted himself a lucky man to have loyal friends. He huffed remembering Angeline’s horrified reaction to the story of how he and Harry met Bellingham. They’d had some amusing times at White’s last spring.

A tap sounded at the door. Colin answered and was more than a little surprised to see his father. “Come in.”

“Thank you. I see you’ve been reading your letters.”

“Did you need something, Father?”

“No, but I’m fairly certain your friends wrote to you with news about Brentmoor and advice about Lady Angeline.”

He sighed. “Have a seat.”

“Your expression leads me to believe it’s even worse than you thought.”

“Read the letters. You’ll see the details. I warn you, it’s bad.”

His father removed his spectacles from his inner coat pocket and read both letters without comment. “It comes as no surprise that there have been other victims. Obviously, Brentmoor is adept at winning over the sympathies of others and then taking advantage at just the right moment.”

“He has to be stopped,” Colin said. “No lady should be treated in such a revolting manner.”

“I agree,” the marquess said. “When will you travel to London?”

“I’ll stay until Wycoff and his family members depart.”

The marquess’s brows rose. “That is surprising. I thought this would be the perfect excuse for you to speed away and kick up your heels in London again. I was sure the lures of actresses, lightskirts, and gaming hells would tempt you.”

He smiled a little. “I have my reasons for staying.”

“Angeline?” the marquess said.

“She lent her expertise and was supportive of my claim to Sommerall.”

“I see,” the marquess said. “If you need anything, do not hesitate to ask. Oh, and by the by, I could not help noticing the ladies advised you to marry Lady Angeline. I found it rather amusing, given that the pair of you have been at odds forever.”

He said nothing. If he married her, she would be able to attend some society entertainments, but it wasn’t enough. Worse, she’d made it clear she didn’t want to marry him. He meant to change her mind, but first she must take her rightful place as Lady Angeline and then God willing, she would consent to marry him and become Lady Ravenshire. If he was really lucky, she would make frequent private appearances as a famous courtesan in the boudoir. The idea of marriage was becoming more enticing by the day.

“I’m sorry about Sommerall,” the marquess said. “I’ve wracked my brains trying to figure out a way to refuse to sell it to Faraday, but I’ve yet to come up with an honorable solution.”

“Thank you for trying,” he said. “I take the blame. I took Sommerall for granted. It might have been mine years ago if I’d made efforts to show I deserved it, but I didn’t. It’s a lesson I won’t soon forget.”

The marquess opened the door and then looked back at him. “Son, I’m proud of you.”

“Thank you, Father.”

“Carry on,” the marquess said, and closed the door.

Colin sighed. He would never be able to take possession of Sommerall now. In the light of day, the secret engagement seemed a rather cold business. At the time he’d suggested it, they had both been desperate enough to seize upon that witless plan. But he’d grown attached to Sommerall and was sorry his quest to possess the property hadn’t worked out. He’d lost it forever, but he would carry the memory of making love to Angeline that stormy night for the rest of his life. She was an incredible woman, and he certainly wasn’t going to let her get away. She had a big heart and a saucy retort always at the ready.

He wanted to clear her name completely and freely, but it seemed rather daunting. He had no illusions about the difficulties she faced, but he knew how much it would mean to her to attend her sister’s debut. Perhaps at the very least, she could attend quietly with support from a handful of true friends.