Angel in Scarlet (Bound and Determined #4)(44)

“Lord Colton is one of my near neighbors. He is a frequent guest,” Lady Perse said, something in her tone leaving open whether or not she was pleased by this fact. “From the time he could toddle, he’s been running my lands as if he owned them.”

“How sweet.” Mrs. Ripon’s tone left no doubt to her feelings about the matter.

“It is good to see you again,” Angela added. Her voice betrayed not the slightest hint of emotion, although the flush remained upon her cheeks.

Lady Perse’s perceptive gaze clearly took in that rise of color. She turned back to Colton, and he could feel her question; she was not quite sure whether to attribute the blush to temper or to something else. He met her eyes evenly, doing his best to give her no hint.

“Well,” Lady Perse said, brushing her hands together, “the two of you must be tired after hours in the carriage. Let me have a maid escort you to your rooms, and you can take some time to refresh yourselves before dinner.”

“That does sound like just what I need,” Mrs. Ripon answered, although her glance shot to her daughter for some reason.

“Yes, perfect. A short rest would be delightful,” Angela said, her hips swaying softly as she followed the maid away from him.

“And perhaps I will use this chance to wash off the dust of my ride over, if you do not mind, Lady Perse.” He turned, intending to follow Angela at a discreet distance to see just which room she had been allotted. Hopefully it would be one near the heavy trellises that lay against the south wall. He’d climbed them all the way to the roof several times in his youth.

“Why don’t you give me a turn about the gardens first, Colton. The weather is warm this afternoon, but this time of year it can change in an instant. My old legs could use the walk, and I am sure that you’d like to explain why you have suddenly invited yourself to my little gathering.”

He should make some comment about not a piece of her being old, but at this moment his mind felt curiously blank. “Is it not enough that I thought I’d like to visit with my favorite neighbor?”

“I am too experienced to believe in that much coincidence, my boy.”

Boy? “I admit that I’d heard you were having guests, and it seemed a good way to avoid the tedium of the country.”

“I might almost believe that if you hadn’t borrowed Miss Pratcher in London only a few days ago—and for a ride with Miss Ripon, I believe.”

“What do you wish me to say, Lady Perse, that I am reconsidering my courtship of Miss Ripon?”

“Lack of courtship, do you not mean?”

“I do not wish to give rise to anyone’s hopes. While I find Miss Ripon a lovely young lady and have enjoyed the time I have spent in her company, I am not looking at her as a future bride. We do not suit.” He was beginning to wonder, though, if that was as true as he’d once supposed. He pushed the thought away.

Lady Perse stopped walking and pivoted toward him. “And is Miss Ripon aware of this fact?”

“I do believe that she is. I think she has quite a firm understanding of our relationship or, as you say, lack of one.”

“Then why are you here, Colton?”

How did he answer that? “I wanted a week of light chatter with no young girls chasing me down. Miss Ripon and I have reached such an understanding that we can enjoy each other’s company without any need of pretense. I find it most refreshing. And I admit that I may also have heard that there will be quite a few rich games of cards among the gentlemen and that perhaps a horse I am interested in may be on the table.”

Lady Perse laughed. “Now, that does sound more like it. A horse and a girl who doesn’t see you as a trophy to be won. Are you sure the two of you don’t suit? It sounds to me as if you might be perfect for each other.”

And wouldn’t that be an easy solution? But, no, Angela may have been very willing so far, but he was still not sure. Her innocence and her dreams might be intriguing at the moment, but he was still afraid that she would once again change and he’d grow bored, and then…“Yes, I am quite certain.” If only the words seemed as true as they had a few weeks ago.





Chapter 12


Was Colton staying in the house? Angela was not sure. At first she had thought yes, but he hadn’t been about when she’d wandered through the front rooms looking for company. And if he lived only a short distance away, perhaps he was merely riding over for those social events he chose to attend. And would that make their arrangement easier or more difficult?

Angela pulled her light shawl up on her shoulders and walked out onto the low terrace that ran the length of the back of the house. A formal garden, resplendent with late roses, spread to her left, and a long lawn ran down to a large lake to the right. It was a most wonderful view, less balanced than many, but all the more charming for that.

Did she have time to stroll down to the lake? She glanced up at the sky; only a few clouds drifted across it. Still, she would not want to get caught out if the weather changed, as it was apt to do in this season. It was a fair distance to the lake, but the gravel path looked smooth and she could walk briskly. Her mother would probably be looking for her shortly, eager to introduce her to all the other guests, but that might be the best reason of all to wander away. She was still flustered from the brief moments she’d spent in Colton’s company. It had not occurred to her how different it would be to talk to the man in public after…