What a Reckless Rogue Needs (The Sinful Scoundrels, #2)(48)

He fumbled at the back of her gown, and she felt cool air on her back. When he pushed her sleeves down her arms, she thought of denying him. He circled his thumbs around her nipples, and she bit her lip to keep from begging him not to stop. She was neither afraid nor disgusted the way she’d been when Brentmoor tried to fondle her. She’d always pushed him away, and now she was glad that she’d never let him, because he’d never cared about her.

Thoughts of her former fiancé fled as Colin lowered his head and circled his tongue around her nipple. She clutched the back of his head, her fingers threading through his thick, curly hair. When he suckled her, her head fell back, and she wanted more of him.

“I knew you would be beautiful, but you have surpassed my every expectation.”

She felt as if she’d drunk too much champagne. The desire still lingered, making her a bit lethargic, but he pulled her sleeves up and hooked the back of her gown. She was aware of dampness between her thighs and a yearning for more of the pleasurable sensations he’d excited in her.

He smiled a little as he gazed at her. “I find myself amazed and humbled by your response. Whatever else may come, I think in this, we will be very compatible.”

His words sounded too good to be true. Yet she was torn between wanting to believe him and her knowledge that he desperately needed a wife in order to keep Sommerall. Worse, she knew that she would never have even considered marrying him if she weren’t so worried about her sister’s come-out.

God in heaven, how could she marry a man simply to ensure her sister got her heart’s desire? But how could she not do everything in her power to restore her honor and that of her family? She had brought scandal upon them, and she owed it to them to do whatever she could to restore her family’s honor.

But she was afraid, more afraid than of being an independent spinster. At least that way she would never have to worry about exposing herself to society or finding herself awake in a cold, deserted bed while her husband found comfort elsewhere after having secured the property he wanted. There was no question that if she accepted, this would be a marriage of convenience, and Angeline knew it would be foolhardy to hope that love and affection would follow the way it had for Lord Chadwick and Margaret. Their marriage may have started as a convenience, but they were one of the rare, lucky couples who had fallen in love.

Angeline couldn’t allow herself to even consider the possibility that tender feelings might develop in this marriage. She had to be pragmatic, and that meant accepting an offer of marriage that she was far from confident about, but it wasn’t as if she had better choices. That thought alone made her feel horrible, because every instinct inside of her shouted that she was selling herself for a season in London for her sister.

God help her, she would do anything, even marry, to make sure her sister had a fairy-tale come-out ball.



When footsteps sounded, Angeline straightened her neckline and squared her shoulders. Agnes appeared at the door. “My lady, the kitchen hearth is sound. I took the liberty of scouring the pots and pans with sand.” The scullery maid lowered her eyes. “John awaits on the drive.”


“Thank you, Agnes,” Colin said. “Tell John we will be only a few minutes.”

“Yes, your lordship.” She bobbed a curtsy and disappeared.

“Angeline, is all well with you?”

She thought he must be worried about what had transpired. “Yes, I’m well and ready to depart.” The heady sensations of his kisses and touches had worn off quickly as her worries had taken over. He’d offered marriage, the one thing she’d known could reverse all of the bad things that had happened. At first, it had seemed like a dream, but it was not. Quite possibly, it could end in a nightmare for her.

He’d agreed to grant her more time to give her answer when the house party ended. She wondered if he was as reluctant as she was about this marriage. At least there was no question about their motives for marrying. They both knew exactly why they were doing this. But could they build a lifetime on a sham marriage?

She would reconcile herself to the marriage, make the best of it, and be grateful. Because Providence had provided her with a chance to redeem herself—a gift to her family.

They would marry, and she would be able to attend her sister’s debut. There would still be whispers, but once she was married to Colin, no one would dare openly cut her. The combined strength of both their families would help as well.

Could it really be that easy? She hoped with all of her heart that it would, but only time would tell.

Yet her thoughts were of her family, not of him. She worried that he’d made a decision based on hearing her sad tale, but he would benefit as well. God willing, he would not regret his decision. There were three weeks left for both of them to figure out if they could forge a life together, one that could bring them happiness for a lifetime.

But would three weeks be enough?

It was a daunting prospect. She wanted to believe, more than anything, that they would fall in love like his father and Margaret had. But she must not count on it. She’d been disappointed and humiliated once before. The scars inside her had yet to heal, but she didn’t have the luxury of waiting. There would be no other opportunities.

A voice deep inside warned her that a marriage based on winning a property and salvaging her reputation was insufficient for a lifetime, but it was more than she’d thought possible. From the moment she’d broken her engagement to Brentmoor, she’d shut off her dreams of love and forever-after happiness. Now all she hoped for was contentment.