What a Reckless Rogue Needs (The Sinful Scoundrels, #2)(21)

He led her to the window seat and lowered his head. “Unless something changes in the next few days, I’ll likely depart.”

“Why?” she said.

He shook his head. “I can’t bear to stay and watch my father sell Sommerall. It’s better if I go before matters erupt. I have my faults, Angeline, but I won’t make a scene or disrupt the house party. I never should have come in the first place.” He blew out his breath. “I knew it would come to this, but I held out hope anyway.”

“No,” she said under her breath. “You mustn’t give up.”

“He said no more than once. I won’t beg, Angeline. It is an insult to me, and frankly, if he does sell Sommerall, I won’t be returning again. I can’t bear it.”

“But what of your family?”

“I don’t know. I just know that I won’t let any man, not even my father, dictate my life.”

“I beg you to reconsider. You will regret not fighting for what is rightfully yours and for your family.”

“Thank you for agreeing to help me. I’ll slip out now.”

When he strode out of the room, she was tempted to follow and encourage him. But to what end? All she had were empty words, and she knew firsthand there was no comfort in them. She couldn’t change yesterday, but she could attempt to influence the marquess through Margaret. Yes, she did want to help him transform Sommerall because it excited her, but she also felt badly for Colin, even though she probably shouldn’t. She would not care under any other circumstances, but his mother was buried at Sommerall. It clearly wounded him to think of strangers possessing the land where she was laid to rest.

Angeline approached Margaret and took her aside. “I understand the marquess is hesitant to allow Colin to make a survey of the interior of Sommerall House. You know that I have some expertise, and it occurred to me that it would not be in anyone’s best interest if it was ignored much longer.”

“To be honest, I have worried about it, too,” Margaret said. “He can’t bear to return there. I know it would be very distressing for him, but you are right. Something needs to be done.”

“There is a catch,” Angeline said.

Margaret rolled her eyes. “Oh, yes. Chadwick is convinced he can reform Colin by forcing him to marry. I asked him if he thought I could conjure up a bride. He laughed, and then I got angry. What foolishness.”

“If there is a structural defect such as with the chimney or the roof, the damage could potentially cost a fortune,” Angeline said. “The house has been unoccupied a very long time. I recommend looking into it straightaway, especially since the marquess is considering selling it. We all have seen estates that crumbled due to neglect.”

“I’m so glad you came,” Margaret said. “You have convinced me. I will talk to Chadwick tonight. It is past time something be done about Sommerall, and really he should not try to force Colin into marriage.”

“For now, I suggest keeping the focus on the survey of the house,” Angeline said. “Let him consider one issue at a time.”

“Yes, that should work. You know men can only think in a straight line,” Margaret said. “They are easily confused by related topics. We have to introduce them one at a time and then explain the various relationships.” She paused and looked thoughtful. “I’ve often been tempted to draw pictures for Chadwick.”

“Well, it’s probably best that we continue to allow the gentlemen to believe they are the stronger of the sexes because of their brawn,” Angeline said. “We had better keep our superior intellect a secret.”

“Yes, but they are far more malleable than you might realize, but you’ll discover that after you’re married.” Margaret patted her hand. “Thank you, dear. You’ve been more helpful than you know.”

Angeline crossed her fingers in her skirts. “I hope so.” She paused a moment and said, “Chadwick is a very lucky man to have you for his wife.”

Margaret visibly swallowed. “Thank you, dear. I daresay I do not deserve such a compliment, but I will cherish your words all the same.”

Angeline knew a bit about Margaret’s background. It could not have been easy for a woman whose father had been a shopkeeper to marry into the world of the ton and to be a stepmother to an eight-year-old child, but Margaret was a special lady.





Chapter Four



Colin meant to instruct his valet to pack his trunks after breakfast. There was no point in staying any longer. He would briefly explain his reasons to his father and begin the journey back to London today.

He sipped his tea and heard an odd chewing sound under the table. Then he noted that the sausages on his sisters’ plates had somehow disappeared. When he lifted his brows, Bianca and Bernadette regarded him with innocent expressions. No doubt they had been feeding the dog beneath the table.


When breakfast concluded, the marquess cleared his throat. “I have an announcement to make.”

Everyone regarded him quizzically, with the exception of the marchioness.

“After much contemplation, I have decided that it is time to make an inventory of the repairs needed for Sommerall House.”

Colin stared at his father. All around him voices buzzed. What had precipitated his father’s sudden change of mind? Then he realized that Margaret did not appear the least bit surprised.