What a Reckless Rogue Needs (The Sinful Scoundrels, #2)(46)
He strode back to her and pulled out a handkerchief. “You did nothing wrong.”
She blotted her eyes. “My quick temper landed me in trouble. Had I maintained my composure that night, had I walked away as a lady ought, had I listened to Charlotte, I would have escaped the scandal. I could have survived a broken engagement. My mother’s friends would have championed me. Others might have questioned my virtue, but I could have overcome it if I had not played into Lady Cunningham’s scheme. I am sure she was behind it.”
“Angeline, I cannot believe there is no way to resolve this.”
She huffed. “There is. Marriage to a very wealthy and titled gentleman, but no man with sense wants a woman with a ruined past. He would have to be desperate.”
Colin stared at her.
The backs of her hands prickled at his intense expression. “What are you thinking?” she asked.
“As it happens, I am desperate.”
Chapter Seven
She leaped off the sofa and nearly bumped into him. “Have you lost your wits?”
“Hush and listen. It’s the perfect solution.”
“No, it is insane.” She’d thought he had better sense, but apparently she’d been mistaken.
“Angeline, we would both benefit.”
He was outrageous. “I’m not marrying you so you can claim Sommerall.”
“You said if you married a wealthy and titled gentleman, all of your troubles would disappear. I am the Earl of Ravenshire. Granted it’s a courtesy title, but it’s hardly objectionable.”
“Are you feverish?”
He grinned. “No, but come a bit closer. I’m sure my temperature will rise.”
She wasn’t taking the bait. “You are proposing that we marry so that you can keep the property and I can repair my tattered reputation. That is the most bizarre reason I have ever heard for marrying.”
“Is it? My father made a marriage of convenience with Margaret, and they seem to rub along well enough.”
Damn him. How could she object to that? “We are incompatible,” she said.
“We’ve done fairly well working at Sommerall, which, by the way, you could renovate to your heart’s content. Although we might want to temporarily move into Deerfield to avoid paint fumes. It’s a big house, so we wouldn’t be in anybody’s way.”
She sank onto the sofa and massaged her temples. The marquess and Margaret had found love after marrying for convenience, but it did not mean that it would happen for Colin and her. In truth, it felt very much like a business matter.
But as he’d pointed out, all aristocratic marriages were based at least partly on practical monetary considerations. Marrying for love had become popular, but it did not negate the necessary contracts.
He joined her on the sofa. “I forgot to mention I have money from investments in shipping, so that should reassure you. No need to fear we’ll be beggared anytime soon.”
“I cannot decide if you’re practical or a lunatic. Possibly both.”
“I am serious about the marriage. Maybe this happened because it was meant to be.”
No, it happened because we’re both desperate.
“You may take your time to make a decision. I have six weeks to find a bride, but you will be here for only three more weeks. I understand that it is a momentous decision.”
She thought about what she’d done to her family and her fears that Penny would never have a come-out. She thought about her father’s melancholy and the day her mother had gotten violently ill upon learning Angeline meant to cry off. Most of all, she thought about Penny’s tears that day she and Mama had left for their journey to Paris.
She remembered thinking that she would do anything to make the scandal go away.
“I can practically see the cogs and wheels churning in your brain. What is on your mind?” he said.
I owe it to my family to accept your proposal.
She turned to him. “If we are to wed, we should discuss our expectations of marriage.”
“What specifically do you mean?”
“Is it to be a true marriage or one in name only? I know you need an heir, but…”
“But what?”
He sounded angry. “I was affianced to a rake, and he hurt me.”
Colin stood and walked over to the window. Then he spun around. “You compare me to that scoundrel?”
“I am not comparing you to him, but I have a right to know what to expect and so do you. It may be common for spouses in the ton to enter into liaisons, but I do not think I could bear another betrayal.”
“You assume that I will be unfaithful.”
“No, I assume nothing. I want to know if you will honor the marriage vows.”
“I’m not planning to betray you,” he said.
“An interesting answer,” she said.
“I will honor the vows, but that begs the question, Will you be my wife in truth or will you shut the boudoir door to me?”
She realized he was angry, because he’d felt she was accusing him. “Colin, I would never do such a thing. It would only push you to take lovers. While we are on the subject, I know there are women in the ton who betray their husbands, but I would never do that to you. I could never be so cruel.”