What a Reckless Rogue Needs (The Sinful Scoundrels, #2)(38)

When he opened the door to the nursery, he strode inside and immediately tore the covers off the rocker. He went over to a shelf where a tin box sat. When he opened it, a look of wonder crossed his face. “My tin soldiers. I always wondered what became of them.”

“I didn’t notice them yesterday.”

He frowned at her. “It is in plain view. Something is amiss. You might as well tell me.”

She sighed. “There is a cradle underneath the cover.”

He whipped it off. Inside was padded bedding. He felt no shock or melancholy. Only numbness.

She slipped her hand through his arm. “I hope you will forgive me. I thought to spare you.”

He patted her hand. “I understand, but I prefer to confront things.”

“Yes, I think it is for the best. Shall we return to the attic? If the mouse decides to make another appearance, I’ll let you confront it.”

He smiled a little. “Very well.”



By late afternoon, they had sorted items from five trunks. He’d found an old bagwig he was certain had belonged to his grandfather and a pair of men’s buckled shoes with heels. He thought the bust probably was his grandfather.

They put all of the items he didn’t want in crates. He planned to make them available to the tenants and servants. The mouse had evidently disappeared.

They had not discussed the miniature, but it had yet to turn up.

After he carried a crate downstairs, she looked through some correspondence she’d found. One set was tied with a blue ribbon. She pulled a letter out and saw the address to Lady Elizabeth Montleigh. She wanted very much to read it, but she ought not pry. She folded the letter, set it aside, and retrieved another from the others tied with the blue ribbon. This one was also addressed to the same woman. When she started to fold it, she saw the last line.

My darling Elizabeth, you are my heart and my love forever more.

She yearned to be loved, truly loved, but it seemed that was not to be her destiny.

Colin returned. His shirtsleeves were wrinkled and his cravat looked a bit wilted. Somehow he managed to look every bit the handsome rogue.

“You found correspondence?”

“A letter from your father to Lady Elizabeth Montleigh.”

“My mother,” he said.

She lifted her eyes to him. “I read only the last line.”

He took it and walked over to the table where the lantern burned. “I would never have guessed my father was so sentimental.”

“The letter indicates he loved her deeply,” she said. “Do you think he would want the letter?”

Colin frowned. “I’ve no idea. All I know for certain is that he left Sommerall after her funeral. I don’t remember anything except leaving here for Deerfield.” He folded the letter and set it on the table. “Two years later, he made a marriage of convenience with Margaret.”

“It may have started out that way, but I believe he loves her now.”

“He is fond of her, but I’m sure he wanted a spare heir.”

His blunt words stunned her. “Perhaps he was lonely and wanted a second chance at love.”

He considered her with a patronizing expression. “There are practicalities, including the contracts, as you are fully aware. I assure you my father’s primary concerns dealt with the marriage contracts. She brought a considerable fortune into the marriage.”

She bristled. “So do many women.”

“I’m only stating the facts, Angeline. You know the realities of aristocratic marriages, and to be frank, her father was a merchant and saw an opportunity to better his family.”

“Margaret was educated as a lady.”

“Yes, I know, but you cannot be unaware that your mother’s influence paved the way for Margaret in society.”

Angeline was breathing hard. “Do you think I give a damn?”

His eyes widened at her words.

“Margaret was one of the few ladies who came to support my mother and me during one of the worst times of our lives. Everyone else stayed away from fear of contamination from my scandal.” Angeline wiped tears from her face. “She is one of the kindest ladies I have ever had the pleasure to call friend. And she deserves far more credit than you give her. She wants only to please others and believes herself undeserving because her father was in trade. She is your father’s wife and the mother of your sisters. You should respect her.”

“I do not disrespect her,” he said testily. “I only stated the truth.”


“You just did.”

“Angeline, you are unreasonable.”

“Well, we cannot all be as perfect as you,” she said.

“The sarcasm is unwarranted.”

Her face heated. She marched out of the attic. How dare he speak so coldly about Margaret? He was a rake and yet he thought himself above everyone. She thought him a hypocrite and wouldn’t be surprised if he had notches on his bedpost. Horrid man.

His rapid footsteps echoed behind her. She hurried her step, but he caught her arm. “Stop,” he said.

She glared at him. “I agreed to help you because I thought you deserved the opportunity to prove yourself, but I will not aid and abet you when you have so little respect for your family.”

He opened a bedchamber door. “Come inside. Agnes is cleaning the banister, and I don’t want her to hear us.”