Angel in Scarlet (Bound and Determined #4)(18)

“You just need to be less picky—and perhaps you should not try so hard.”

“I don’t know what you mean.” She worried, though, that perhaps she did. After she’d found out about Colton’s actress, she had tried so hard not to show that she cared, tried to be the woman society expected her to be, tried to be a woman who would never fuss, never complain. She had been so sure that if she could be perfect enough, then Colton would love her. She had worn herself out with trying, but she could not explain any of that to her mother.

“I think you do.” Her mother gave her a sharp look. “But it does not matter. And perhaps I will simply tell your father to accept the next proposal to come your way.”

“That will mean I’ll be wed to Lord Wilber. I do believe he is due for his monthly proposal on Wednesday. I know he proposed to Lady Bliss two days ago and she’s been married to Lord Duldon for some weeks.”

Her mother pursed her lips. “Now, that would not do. That man can barely manage to ride a pony. I am sure he could never handle a mare with spirit. Although I would love somebody to say yes to the man. He’d probably faint dead away. I’ve always wondered if proposing to every eligible young lady is not his own ploy to avoid matrimony.”

Angela found a genuine smile lighting her face. There was a reason she loved her mother so dearly. “I’ve never considered that. You may be right. He certainly never seems eager—more that it’s a duty. I suppose if he continually proposes, nobody can claim he isn’t trying, not even his mother.”

“Yes, and you know Lady James hounded the poor boy for years about getting married.”

“And then he started asking everybody.”

“Well, not everybody. I don’t think he ever asks anyone who might actually say yes.”

“I think you may be on to something. I heard he asked Sarah Swilp a few weeks ago, and he certainly never showed interest in her before she became attached to Mr. Perry.” Grinning quietly at her mother, Angela took another piece of toast and nibbled a corner. Missing her morning tea had left her famished.

“I hadn’t heard that.”

“I am surprised, Mother. I thought you knew everything.”

Her mother resumed her seat, settling her skirts in a neat half circle. “I must be slipping. But now we must talk about Lady Perse’s party. Everybody will be there, including more than a half dozen eligible young men. I am quite sure that she intends to help you find a husband, perhaps even a love match. I know her pride will be most upset if she doesn’t see you married by Christmas.”

Asking how her mother knew that would be pointless. She’d probably had a nice long chat with Lady Perse about Angela and what a failure she was. They’d chosen a husband for her and she’d managed to send him running in the opposite direction. “I will do my best, Mother.”

“I know that you will, Angela. You just have to be more accommodating. Men like an agreeable woman.”

“I’ve heard that before. I am working at being most agreeable.” And if only her mother understood exactly what she meant by that, she’d probably fall into a faint.

—

“Lord Colton, may I have a word?” The husky undertones of Madame Rouge’s voice caught him almost as soon as he stepped through the door.

“Of course.” In truth, he’d rather flee than face Ruby at the moment. She always seemed to see far more than she ought.

Ruby gestured to a door, just past the one that led to her parlor.

He followed obediently, if reluctantly.

The door led to a small room, hardly more than a closet with a small desk crammed in the middle, a chair on each side.

“Please sit,” Ruby said, gesturing to the seat nearest the door as she slithered behind the desk.

He raised a brow in question.

“It’s my porter’s office. I know it’s oddly placed, but Simms’s pride demanded a space of his own. I rarely use it, but there are already several gentlemen in the parlor, and what I need to say is not public.”

He made no comment, simply waited for her to continue.

She leaned forward, her magnificent breasts presenting a most pleasing view—although he found himself less interested than usual.

“I understand you are meeting Miss Ripon here this evening.” She stated it as fact, not question.

“I can only assume she told you that.” He would have to be careful of the odd relationship between Miss Ripon and Ruby.

“Yes, she sent a note asking my advice.”

“She seems to be asking for it quite often.”

“And you are surprised?” It was Ruby’s turn to raise a brow.

“It merely seems a trifle odd.”

Ruby laughed. “Far less odd than you would think. I have learned that the ladies of society are always looking for intimate information and are sorely lacking in sources. You’d be surprised how many seek me out.”

“But an innocent young lady like Miss Ripon?”

“I would admit that is less usual, but not without precedent. I do my best to fill a need for knowledge that our world seems unwilling to provide.” She leaned back, glancing at the oil lamp that cast a faint glow through the small room.

He waited a moment, but she remained silent, seeming lost in her own thoughts.

“You called me in here, Ruby. Surely you have more to say than to point out that which you already know.”