What a Reckless Rogue Needs (The Sinful Scoundrels, #2)(53)

Her heartbeat quickened as she hurried down the stairs to the dining table. Fortunately, it was well covered and the chairs had no cushions. The chairs and table were mahogany and elegant. They would not need to replace them, but the walls did nothing for the space. She had a daring idea. Rather than walls, she could set off the dining room with four ionic columns and a beautiful Axminster carpet for color. Mind, she would need to consult and review samples in design books. She ascended the stairs, sat on the sofa, and started drawing her idea for the dining room.

Angeline had no idea how much time had passed when she heard footsteps on the stairs. Her excitement mounted, and she met Colin at the door. “Come, I wish to show you my sketches.”

“Very well.” He sat beside her on the sofa.

“This is my favorite. Do you see how dramatic the Palladian windows will be at night with the light of a chandelier?”

“I imagine so,” he said.

“I have so many ideas, but this one is my favorite.”

“There are no walls.”

“Exactly. Is it not daring and yet elegant? I know without color it is probably difficult to envision. Oh, and I thought of something else I’m sure you will like. It is a balcony built all along the south fa?ade. Guests could sit in chairs with small tables to watch the stars. What do you think?”

“I think it is fantastic and fanciful,” he said. “I would never be able to imagine something like this.”

“I’ve no idea of the cost, but I could write to the architect, Mr. Rotherby, or perhaps you…” She trailed off, realizing her mistake. “I am sorry. Obviously, you cannot move forward, but I do believe you will inherit.”

He cleared his throat. “Angeline, you are very talented.” He met her gaze and she could see the discomfort in his eyes. “It is still my father’s house, and I’m in danger of losing the property.”

“Do forgive me,” she said, closing the sketchbook. “I always get carried away with my sketches and ideas. I just wanted to show them to you.” She rose and shook out her skirts, and naturally he stood as well.

She pasted on her society smile. “Shall we eat luncheon in the breakfast parlor?”

“Yes, I’m hungry, thank you.”

He offered his arm and escorted her downstairs. Her arms were chilled. Their easy camaraderie had disappeared, because she had all but spoken on the assumption that the marriage would take place. She had not made a conscious decision and certainly had not thought it through before speaking. Instead, she’d allowed her enthusiasm to bubble up, and now she worried he would feel obliged to propose.

She felt foolish and realized the difficulty of their decision to have a trial engagement. At the time, it had seemed like the perfect solution. The problem was that they were in a constant state of uncertainty. Yet, they had succumbed to desire. She had willingly sat on his lap, let him touch her, and touched him in return just as if they were married or truly affianced. But nothing was decided. Everything was contingent on something else. His father might sell the property when the house party ended. All of their clearing and sorting in the attic would help the servants and tenants, but there was a chance neither of them would ever benefit from the work they had done.

By the end of the house party, either one of them might decide they would not suit. They had both agreed they could easily part without rancor or wounded feelings. Now she realized they must have been daft to think such a plan would work.

There was nothing for it except to brazen it out and pretend that nothing was awry. She served their usual luncheon on the plates while Colin opened a bottle of claret. He sat beside her, and it struck her how quickly they had already formed habits here. But like their trial engagement, it was nothing more than an illusion.

When he handed her a glass of wine, she sipped, but she only nibbled at the chicken, because she felt anxious. Because of her incautious words, their comfortable friendship had suddenly become awkward. She hated that it had because she was beginning to have feelings for him, and he surely had no strong attachment to her. It was her responsibility to say something to break this chilled atmosphere.

“I do apologize for my foolish enthusiasm. I’m generally a very practical person, but when it comes to my designs, my imagination runs away with me, and I start to prattle. I’m sure you were amused by it.”

“I was impressed with your ideas. They are unique. You should not feel badly about your enthusiasm.”

“It is so impractical,” she said. “I can’t very well make over the drawing room at Deerfield every year.” Please do not think I meant to urge you to propose.

He set his glass aside. “If you enjoy it, your designs need not be practical or have a specific purpose.”

She released a relieved breath and changed the subject. “Are the blinds outside in bad shape?”

He nodded. “They all need to be replaced. John said it shouldn’t cost a fortune and advised me to be wary of anyone trying to charge me more because I’m a ‘nob.’”

She laughed a little and started putting the food away. “I haven’t even checked on Agnes.”

“It probably isn’t necessary. She’s not the type who needs constant instruction.”

Angeline nodded. “She sees what needs to be done and makes recommendations. I’ll go check on her progress just in case.”