What a Reckless Rogue Needs (The Sinful Scoundrels, #2)(40)

“I look forward to it as well,” she said. “I plan to take an apron so that I can help you in the attic again.”

“In the attic?” Margaret said. “I had no idea you were working in the attic.”

Wycoff frowned. “Angeline, such a task is beneath you. Let the maid do the work.”

“She will not know what is valuable and what is not. There is much to do, and I’m determined to be useful.”

Colin was glad to see her in much better spirits this morning, but after his conversation with his father yesterday, he wanted to make sure Wycoff knew they would preserve the proprieties. “The maid will be there at all times and will perform tasks as directed.”

Ames entered the breakfast parlor before his father could reply. “My lord, Mr. Faraday has arrived. I’ve installed him in the anteroom.”

The marquess set his cup aside. “I’m ready, Ames. Send him to my study in ten minutes.”

“Yes, my lord.”

“Colin, I will send for you after I conclude my meeting,” the marquess said.

He’d wanted to leave as soon as breakfast ended. What the devil did his father want now? There was nothing for it. He would have to cool his heels and hope that his father’s first meeting did not take too long.

“Angeline, you will join us in the drawing room until Colin is ready to depart,” the duchess said.


While everyone else filed out, Colin and Angeline lingered for a few moments.

“I’d hoped to leave sooner,” he said.

“I will count the minutes until I can put my needle aside,” she said. “Patience is not one of my virtues.”

“At least my father knows I’m serious about the property.”

“Perhaps by the end of the week, we will have something to show for our efforts. Your father will have no doubt you intend to transform Sommerall.”

He appreciated her belief in him, but there was something in her attitude that troubled him. Colin wondered how much her father’s neglect had wounded her. Whatever had happened to her, he didn’t believe it was hopeless. She’d been engaged to a rotten man and ought to be applauded for having the good sense to end it. Good God, her father was a duke. Surely his influence could have turned matters around, but he did not know the particulars.

Obviously, she’d not known the man’s bad character. But Wycoff must have known. Why had he given his blessing?

Chances were he would never know. Perhaps that was for the best.



Forty minutes later, after a footman summoned Colin, he strode to his father’s study and knocked on the door.

“Come in and shut the door, please,” the marquess said.

He took a chair in front of his father’s desk.

“I will get to the point,” the marquess said. “Mr. Faraday is very interested in the property, even though he understands it needs a great deal of work.”

His father’s words stunned him.

“I daresay you thought I had invented the offer in an attempt to force you to find a wife. Am I correct?”

He briefly considered prevaricating and then decided to be honest. “It crossed my mind.”

“Mr. Faraday is aware of your concerns about your mother’s mausoleum, and as such, he is willing to make a higher offer as recompense, but there is another property that interests him.”

He gripped the arms of the chair hard. “There isn’t enough money in the world to compensate.”

“I am not insensible to your feelings on the matter, but there is something important I wish to ask you. You need to be honest with me.”

“Very well.”

“Sommerall was always intended for you, but I could not bring myself to step inside the house. At one point, I considered selling because I knew it needed attention. Yesterday was the first time I’ve been in the house since your mother’s death. I loved her dearly, God rest her soul, but life went on. It was Margaret who convinced me to keep the property for you. She has always blamed herself for your estrangement from our family.”

He swallowed hard, remembering his conversation with Angeline about his family. Yet, his stepmother was the one who had convinced his father not to sell. “It was not her fault.”

“Of course it wasn’t,” he said. “Are you planning to occupy the property? That means marriage, because I know you won’t do it when you’re single.” He folded his hands on his desk. “I don’t want to hear excuses or promises that you will wed in a few years. I have an offer, and I need you to tell me the truth. Are you willing to find a wife soon and reside at Sommerall?”

“You gave me six weeks to find a bride,” he said. “Will you rescind that decision?”

“No, I made it in good faith. Faraday understands that it will not be available until then, but again, it is not the only one he is considering,” the marquess said.

His temples ached. “You asked for honesty. I don’t want to rush the decision and find out too late that I’ve made a mistake. It is for life. I need more time.”

“Time is the one thing I cannot grant you. I previously told Faraday the property would be available in six weeks. That is what we agreed upon.”

Bloody hell. “I will occupy the house, but I need five months to find a bride. The season will open, and I will begin a serious search for a wife. I believe it is a reasonable compromise.”