What a Reckless Rogue Needs (The Sinful Scoundrels, #2)(41)

“No doubt you mean to do as you say, but I know what will happen when you return to London. You will fall back into your old ways with your reckless friends. You will drink to excess, gamble, and chase lightskirts. You may even consider settling down—someday in the future. Like every bachelor in the world, you are convinced that your life will end as you know it. And it will—for the better.”

He had to bite back a sarcastic remark.

“If you’re not serious about wedding and occupying the property, tell me now.”

He flexed his hands. “I’m not inclined to make spur-of-the-moment decisions.”

“Why wait? You either know you will decline or accept.”

“This is a lifetime decision and I wish to think it over carefully.”

“You’re stalling,” the marquess said.

He gripped the arms of the chair in an effort to control his reactions. “Call it what you will, but I want the entire six weeks.”

The marquess rose. “Very well. Our meeting is concluded.”

Colin stood. Damn you, I will not give up without a fight.



Colin’s expression was as grim as the overcast sky.

Angeline kept silent as he escorted her to the carriage. Clearly his meeting with his father had not gone well.

“My father instructed me to take Agnes up in the carriage, but she’s sitting beside John.”

“She will feel more comfortable keeping John company.” More important, Angeline knew Colin was angry, and he needed to air his grievances.

After they boarded the carriage, he sat with his back to the horses and knocked his cane on the ceiling. Minutes later, it rolled off. She was tempted to ask him what had transpired, but he turned his attention to the window.

When the carriage turned onto the main road, he sighed. “I beg your pardon. I ought to have called off the journey to Sommerall, but I could not bring myself to stay at Deerfield for the remainder of the day. I should have informed you that I must call off all further efforts, but I knew that would cause a stir.”

“Sit with me so that I don’t have to raise my voice,” she said.

He moved over to her bench.

“Do you wish to tell me what happened? If not, I will understand.”

“My father met with the man who is very interested in the purchase of Sommerall. The marquess will honor the six-week agreement we made. At the end of that time, he will sell to Faraday if the man chooses it over the other one he is considering.”

“Surely he’s not serious.”

“Yes, he is very serious. We agreed I would give him my decision, one way or the other, in six weeks.” He blew out his breath and laughed without mirth. “I actually considered going to London and choosing the first lady who crossed my path, but I can’t do it. I should have told my father no immediately. His demands are impossible. Now I must reconcile myself to losing Sommerall.”

“He ought to trust you. You are his only son.”

“Isn’t trust earned?” he said.

His cynical expression stunned her. “What do you mean?”

“There are reasons my father doesn’t trust me. Make no mistake. I had no intention of attending the house party, and he knows it. The only reason I made the journey was because my father informed me in a letter that he meant to sell Sommerall.” He met her gaze. “I would never have traveled here otherwise.”

“Not even to see your family?”


A hard look came into his eyes. “Do you want the truth or do you want the fairy-tale version?”

She laced her gloved fingers and stared at her hands. “You wish to persuade me you care nothing for your family.” She met his gaze. “But I have seen your affection for your sisters. I do not deny you have a bad reputation, but I do not believe you are quite as wicked as you wish me to think.”

“I’ll not argue degrees of wickedness,” he said, “but you know to be wary of a man like me.”

She wondered if his words about himself were meant to push her away. “The marquess is a wealthy man,” she said. “He has no urgent reason to sell.”

“Of course he does,” Colin said. “Look around you. It’s a miracle the place is as sound as it is, but eventually neglect will take a toll.”

“I understand, but what difference will five months make to him? None. But for you, it is crucial. Marriage cannot be undone, at least not without scandal. He should give you a chance.”

He leaned his elbows on his knees. “I’ve given him reason to mistrust me.” He sighed. “I am sorry to have misled you today. If you wish, I can stop the driver and turn back.”

He looked defeated. “We will continue on,” she said. “Because there is something we can do with the time allotted to us. The house party will not conclude for another three weeks. We will search through every trunk and every box until we find your mother’s miniature.”

“It may not turn up.”

She set her hand on his sleeve. “No matter what happens, we will make every effort.” At least he would know that he’d tried, although there was little comfort in it.

He nodded. “It’s bound to be in one of those infernal trunks. I have little time to find it.”

She prayed that it was in one of the trunks. He would take it hard if they never located it.