What a Reckless Rogue Needs (The Sinful Scoundrels, #2)(51)

Chapter Eight



The next morning after breakfast, the marquess cleared his throat. “Bianca, Bernadette, your mother reported to me that the maid found bones in your room. Clearly that ugly dog has taken up residence with you. I made it clear that Hercules must stay in the kitchen until such time as a servant walks him. You have disobeyed me.”

Colin noted his sisters’ sorrowful expressions.

“Oh, Papa,” Bianca said. “Hercules is scared of the banging pots. He made a puddle in the kitchen.”

“Better the kitchen than the water closet,” the marquess said.

Colin thought his sisters were talented enough to tread the boards onstage, but of course, ladies did not flaunt themselves. Nevertheless the twins were experts at manipulating their father. Colin ought to take lessons from his wily sisters.

“I am not finished,” the marquess said. “I have noticed bite marks on the legs of the furniture. That dog is teething on chairs that cost a fortune. Either you teach that dog not to chew the furniture or he goes out in the rubbish bin.”

“Your father is jesting,” the marchioness said. Her attention turned to Bernadette. “Do not feed scraps to Hercules from the table. You are teaching him to be an unmannerly dog.”

“That begs the question as to what constitutes a mannerly dog,” the marquess said.

“One that can shake hands like Hercules,” Bernadette said. “Shake, Hercules.”


On command the dog put his paw in her hand, and the marquess rolled his eyes.

Everyone laughed, with the exception of Wycoff.

Cook brought out a hamper and set it on the sideboard.

The marquess frowned. “Colin, is it really necessary to spend every single day at Sommerall? I’m sure Angeline would prefer entertainment to working every day like a servant.”

Colin regarded her. “I do apologize. Of course you wish to enjoy walks and drawing.”

“No, I want to help at Sommerall,” she said. “Today I will begin a series of sketches of how I envision the drawing room.”

“Lady Angeline,” the marquess said, “I’m sure you are only being polite, but it is unnecessary.”

“I am committed,” she said, “and it is something I enjoy. I insist.”

“Angeline,” the duchess said in shocked tones.

“It is quite all right,” Margaret said. “I’ve seen some of her sketches. Angeline is very talented.”

“I must admit the architect who came to Worthington Abbey was very impressed,” the duchess said.

“Mama, I’m sure he was only being polite,” Angeline said.

“I’m sure he was being honest,” Colin said. “You are talented.”

Her face grew warm. “I enjoy it very much, and I’m looking forward to sketching my visions of the drawing room at Sommerall.”

The marquess turned to his son. “While Lady Angeline is slaving away with her sketches, what will you do? Nap on the sofa?”

Everyone laughed.

“John brought a ladder from the barn,” Colin said. “I plan to check the outside blinds. If I’m not mistaken, some of them are tangled or broken.”

Margaret rose. “The hamper is ready and Agnes is waiting. We will have our walk, and Chadwick and Wycoff will take their mud baths.”

“Very funny, Margaret,” the marquess said. “By the by, could you manage to lose that ugly dog during your walk?”

“Papa, no,” Bianca cried.

“Your father is only teasing,” Margaret said. “Chadwick, that is enough.”

The marquess laughed. “We will discuss this in more detail later, Margaret.”

“Wycoff, it’s about time you bagged a bird. I can’t kill them all by myself,” the marquess said.

“I’m not up for it.”

The duchess laid her hand on his. “Go along, dear. It will do you good.”

An uncomfortable moment passed. Finally, Wycoff assented. “Very well.”

Colin met Angeline’s gaze. Her father was in a very bad way. He hoped another day out shooting would help. Perhaps his father would press Wycoff to make more of an effort after all. Whether it would do any good was questionable.



After they boarded the carriage and it rolled off, Colin moved over to Angeline’s bench. “Give me a kiss.”

“I beg your pardon?”

“We’re affianced now. Well, secretly.” He plucked her sketchbook out of her hand and set it aside.

“It is only a trial engagement to see if we suit,” she said.

Devilment showed in his eyes. “Well, since it is a trial, we should practice so that we can perfect our kisses.”

“You need no practice. You are clearly an expert.”

His smile stretched across his face. “Like my kisses, do you?”

“They are…tolerable.”

He pulled her onto his lap and she shrieked.

“Good thing it’s so noisy on the road. Otherwise, John and Agnes might suspect I’m having my wicked way with you.”

“I might point out that there is plenty of room on the seat,” she said. “So I’ll avail myself of the space.”

He clamped his arms around her. “Please, can I have a kiss? Just one?”