What a Reckless Rogue Needs (The Sinful Scoundrels, #2)(34)

I confess I was torn whether to inform you or not, and I had no one I felt comfortable asking for advice. After a great deal of contemplation, I realized if it were me, I would prefer to hear the news from a trusted friend. It pains me to inform you that Brentmoor has returned to England.

She felt as if a broadsword had pierced her heart.

Oh, God, he’d returned.

Her fingers trembled, and she had to smooth the letter on her lap so that no one would see her vexation. At all costs she mustn’t let on, because she didn’t want Penny to ever know what had happened. She took a deep breath and continued reading.

As I write this letter, I know it is bound to wound you. The events have incited renewed gossip. Others have unfairly painted you as a jilt and intimated worse.

Deep down, she’d always held out a thread of hope that she could recover from the scandal, but Brentmoor’s return was a staggering blow.

Her stomach felt a bit queasy. An engaged couple was allowed to be alone, once consent was given and the contracts were signed. She’d cried off a fortnight after the contracts had been drawn up, and Brentmoor had made matters far worse by spreading filthy lies about her.

Her spirits sagged. She’d held on to the hope that he would never return and that the gossip would subside. She’d hoped to repair her reputation with time. Now that Brentmoor had returned, there was no hope.

You will likely wonder how he ever managed such a feat, given his timely escape from his creditors, but he is married to a woman with thirty thousand pounds, and she is the same shameless woman you discovered with Brentmoor that awful night at the ball. After less than a year, Lady Cunningham has left off her mourning and married Brentmoor, fool that she is, for he will surely spend her entire fortune. They now have an estate at Woodham Hall.

That was the property Mrs. Quimby had mentioned. Clearly the reverend’s wife had not known his name or his circumstances. But the ton would know.

A fog enveloped her, but she caught her mother’s eye and managed to fold the letter perfunctorily.

“Angeline, what news do you have from Charlotte?” the duchess said.

She had to recover quickly, because she did not want Penny to hear the truth. All she could do was fabricate a story. “Charlotte is well and happy. She sent her regards and apologized for her lack of correspondence, but she was only just made aware of our return.”

“How lovely to hear news from your friend,” Margaret said.

Her mother’s expression lit up. “This is wonderful news. I know how much you’ve missed Charlotte.”

She would not be able to hide the truth for long. Her mother’s remaining friends would send letters. Soon, everyone in the ton would know about Brentmoor’s return.

Two years ago, she’d sealed her fate, but her worries were for her innocent sister. Angeline’s chest ached. Because of her, Penny might never have a debut.



Colin rose from the table after an excellent port. He’d only half listened to his father and Wycoff discuss politics. Instead, he’d made a mental list of items he wanted to deal with at Sommerall tomorrow.

“I suppose we should join the ladies,” Wycoff said.

“Go on ahead,” Chadwick said. “I wish to have a word with Colin.”


Colin faced his father. “I suppose you want a report of what I accomplished today.”

The marquess sighed. “You can give me a report next week. I have a concern.”

“About what?”

“I was taken aback by your appearance in the hall today.”

Colin frowned. “I heard the knocker and escorted Angeline downstairs.”

“You held your coat over your shoulder, your sleeves were rolled up, and your hair was disheveled.” He knew it was forbidden to appear before a lady in such a casual manner, but he’d decided to be sensible while working.

“I was sorting items in the attic,” he said. “It’s dusty and crowded with all manner of items. What did you expect?” Of course he wouldn’t mention the highly charged tension between him and Angeline. Why be concerned when nothing had happened?

“At the very least, you ought to have put on your coat in the presence of a lady.”

“For God’s sake, we were working.”

“You ought to have donned it before coming downstairs. It is a mark of respect for Lady Angeline and for Wycoff.”

Colin stiffened. “He took it as an insult?”

“No, he would not have mentioned it, but Wycoff is eaten alive with guilt over his daughter’s misbegotten engagement. When I saw your cavalier manner with her, I grew concerned that he might misinterpret your familiarity.”

Colin rubbed his temple. Damn it all. He had been familiar with her, and there had been that moment in which he’d felt the insistent tug of sensual awareness. “You approved of the two of us working together. If I did not treat her in an amiable manner, I believe she would take it as an insult.”

“Son, I agree, but you are missing the point. The cloud of scandal hangs over Wycoff’s entire family. It is very likely that Margaret will have to sponsor Penelope this spring. Lady Angeline’s future is…uncertain. You never even questioned why I brought Wycoff to Sommerall.”

He gritted his teeth. “If Wycoff was concerned, he should have spoken up beforehand.”

“He did not express concern, but I brought him there to reassure him that all was well. As a father, I can only imagine how I would feel if it was one of your sisters.”