Angel in Scarlet (Bound and Determined #4)(69)

“I do not know. And she did not refuse me. I am sure that once she has time to think, she will—”

“She had better. I expect to hear your nuptials announced at tomorrow’s luncheon—and I imagine that you can procure a special license with some speed. I do not want to hear of any delays.”

He fought the urge to put his fist through Thorton’s face. “If I do this it will not be because of your threats.”

Thorton looked smug. “I don’t care why you do it, as long as it is done.”

He walked away.

Colton glanced about the empty room. Anger filled him until it was ready to leak from his pores. Yet he kept his calm, his demeanor. It might aggravate him beyond reason to do as Thorton wished, yet it was the right thing. And despite what it might sometimes seem, he was a man who did the right thing.

And marrying Angela was the right thing. He might have questioned it at first, resisted it, but it was the resistance of a young stallion first put to the saddle, the desire to keep freedom and wildness, not a resistance to the rider per se.

“I am going to do it. I am,” he said the words to the empty room.

“Going to do what?”

Colton turned to see Duldon standing in the doorway to the hall. “I am going to marry Miss Angela Ripon.”

Duldon did not look surprised. “Bliss does think the best of her. And Bliss is rarely wrong. Apparently Angela was quite the hellion when she was younger, unafraid of anything. She’s settled in recent months, become more staid, but Bliss did comment once that you should not dare her to do anything, because she will accept—and who knows the consequences.”

She was still that way. He hadn’t realized it, but he could easily see the stubborn look that came upon Angela’s face anytime she felt challenged. “And yet she is not sure if she should take a risk on me.”

“I am surprised you admit it, but it does seem to show good sense on her part.”

“You would say that. Tell me, did Bliss accept your proposal immediately?”

“I would admit there was some persuasion involved, both before and during—and I continue to work to persuade her that I am worth it.”

“And what form of persuasion works?”

Duldon stared at him and did not answer, although his lips twitched.

“Ahh, and combined with a dare? You do give me some ideas on how to handle her. Now, if I could just manage to handle Thorton. I hate that he will think he is responsible for all.”

“Thorton, you say? I don’t know to what you refer, but he has become well known for his meddling at Madame Rouge’s. The rumor is he’s even trying to buy the place.”

That brought Colton to attention. “Ruby would never sell.”

“Apparently she’s tired of running the establishment but is being very selective about a buyer.”

“I’ll buy it. That should show Thorton how little his threats mean to me. I’d like nothing better than to thwart the man.”

Duldon walked forward and, taking the decanter, poured a brandy. “I will not ask what he has done to raise your ire, but I will comment that I am not sure it’s the done thing to propose to a lady and buy a brothel in the same week. It does lead to rather the wrong idea.”

Colton laughed. “And when have we ever been concerned with doing the done thing?”

—

The envelope lay upon her pillow, crisp and white. A very fine stationery.

Nothing to mark from whom or where it had come. That was odd. Angela picked it up, rubbing the thick paper between her fingers. Normally, stationery this fine would be marked in some way, but no—not even a bit of embossing. A single blob of wax sealed it, but no crest or mark had been pressed into it.

She sniffed. No scent.

And yet she knew. She didn’t know how he’d managed it, but she knew it had to be from Colton. Had he paid a maid or delivered it himself? She was betting on the maid. It was hard to imagine Colton lurking in the corridors.

Was he so impatient? She’d been surprised when he had not pressed her for an immediate answer; perhaps he’d realized that in that moment she would have had no choice but to say no. She’d been unprepared to take the risk.

Marry Colton, knowing he did not love her? When she didn’t understand why his emotions ran hot and cold? Was there a greater risk?

Her mother had reminded her of how she’d been only months before, of the girl who would never back down simply because the odds were against her. Could she be that girl again?

Was that why she loved the game with Colton so much? Being with him let her be that girl but without all the worry. When she was with him she felt safe, trusted that he would keep her from harm. It was perhaps a silly fantasy, but deep inside she did believe it. He might not love her, but he would care for her. All she had to do was trust him.

And hadn’t she already shown she did trust him?

She picked at the wax seal until it broke and fell away.

With only the slightest trepidation, she eased open the envelope. What if he’d changed his mind, was withdrawing his offer? That thought hurt far more than taking the risk and saying yes.

She unfolded the note and read.

There is a small cabin about half a mile past the folly; meet me there at dawn.

Please.

It was not signed.

Not that she needed a signature. She knew exactly from whom it had come, knew that bold script.