Angel in Scarlet (Bound and Determined #4)(17)

That thought almost made him laugh out loud.

Well intentioned?

Well, he had been. He had parted ways with Angela as much for her own sake as for his. He truly had meant it when he said they were not well suited. When her spirit had faded, so had his interest.

He must admit, though, there was great temptation to take her up on her offer: When she smiled up at him, her eyes filled with mischief, it was hard not to remember how happy she had made him before it had all faded away—and it was all too easy to remember how she’d looked in the garden, her breasts bare and swollen, her face indicating her willingness to follow his every command.

And just now, when she’d sat on the grass before him, it had been hard not to imagine her rising to her knees, her lips parting…

Blast, “hard” was exactly the problem.

He slowed Goliath. If he wasn’t careful, he’d unman himself. There were some moments when a good cockstand was not desired.

Plans for getting rid of Angela should be filling his mind, not thoughts of exactly what he would like her to do if he ever gave in to her desires. He’d withstood temptation before and done the right thing. It might be difficult, but he would do it again.

Now, what would make the chit back away? Certainly it would take more than a simple appointment at Madame Rouge’s. This would require some thought and planning.

—

“Angela, is that you?” her mother called as she entered the hall.

What was her mother doing awake and downstairs? Normally her mother didn’t show her face until well after noon. And she was yelling, or at least speaking in a loud tone. Her mother never called from one room to another. She considered it the height of bad manners, something only the lower classes would ever do.

Knowing better than to raise her voice in answer, Angela walked rapidly to the back parlor, her mother’s favorite room.

“Yes, I am home,” she said, entering the room.

“Where were you? I was most surprised to find that you had already left. I needed to talk to you. Where could you possibly have gone at such a disagreeable hour?”

“I was restless when I awoke. I merely went for a walk. I didn’t wish to wake anyone else.” She could only hope her mother would not question her further. Something important must be going on to have her mother acting so out of character.

“We have received an invitation.”

“Oh.”

“Is that all you can say?” Her mother rose from the small breakfast table and began to pace about the room with small, even steps.

From the queen? It was hard to imagine anything else that would have gotten her mother into such a state. “I am not sure what else I am supposed to say.” Somehow this was far too reminiscent of her earlier conversation with Colton. She was beginning to fear that she might be the problem.

“You could express some excitement.”

Angela sank into a chair opposite the settee her mother had just vacated and swiped a piece of toast. “I am sure I will be excited if you tell me whom the invitation is from.”

“You must not have been listening. Lady Perse has invited us to a house party.”

Angela felt a pit open in her stomach. “Lady Perse?”

“Yes. I know you were disappointed that you didn’t find a husband, like all the other girls whom she invited to tea. I do believe she’s decided to try again with you. Perhaps she saw you in that red dress the other night and realized you must be getting desperate. Or perhaps it was the flush of color in your cheeks. Ah well, it doesn’t matter. What matters is that she’s invited us, and you know what that means….”

Eligible men. Yes, Angela knew exactly what that meant. Blast. It was Lady Perse who had introduced Angela to Colton. And it was Lady Perse who had first made her believe that they belonged together. And it was Lady Perse who had made her feel a failure for not having a proposal weeks ago. No, the last thing she wanted was to have Lady Perse try to find her another man. She had no desire to attend another party, pretending to search for a husband, and certainly not one that would have her stranded in the country. “Oh, isn’t that wonderful.”

“I knew you would be delighted, dear.” Her mother smiled gaily, her shoulders relaxing. “You’re coming back to being yourself. I have been worried. I am happy to see your eyes spinning with hidden plans again. You’ve been faded for so long.”

Faded? She didn’t even begin to know what that meant. Well, best to ignore it or they’d probably spend half an hour talking about how sun lightened the furniture and she’d understand even less at the end. “Yes, perhaps things will work better this time.” Her mother did worry about her, and her mother didn’t need more worry. She had enough to worry about with Angela’s brother; the boy never could seem to settle on one thing, and his desire for gambling and opera girls did not seem to diminish with the years. And that was not even thinking of grandchildren: Her mother definitely longed to see the family continue, and Angela’s brother had made it clear he’d not be taking a wife for years, if ever. Angela forced her smile higher on her cheeks. She hated to disappoint her mother.

“Don’t worry, dear.” Her mother paused beside her and patted her cheek. “I know you will find that special man. How could anybody fail to see how perfect you are?”

Lord Colton could, that’s who. He certainly didn’t think she was perfect. “I am sure you are right, Mother. And I do intend to be a perfect wife.”