What a Reckless Rogue Needs (The Sinful Scoundrels, #2)(54)

“If she is finished, we can return to Deerfield,” he said.

“Yes, of course,” she said. “Excuse me.”



Colin rubbed his temples. She’d taken him by surprise. Clearly she’d been inspired and thrilled with her ideas. She was very talented, but when she’d mentioned writing to the architect, he’d been shocked. It was as if she’d completely forgotten he didn’t own Sommerall.

Perhaps she’d expected him to propose today, but she’d said that she wanted to use the time left to them to learn more about each other before making a final decision. It occurred to him that he ought to make the offer regardless, but if he did it today, she would think he felt obliged, and then everything would get bloody complicated. He didn’t want that to happen.


He rose and walked to the kitchen. When he pushed the door open, Agnes gasped, immediately lowered her eyes, and bobbed a curtsy. “Beggin’ your pardon, my lord.”

“It’s not necessary, Agnes, and I’m sorry for startling you. Angeline, if you are finished here, would you please accompany me to the drawing room?”

She lifted her chin. “Yes, of course.”

He noted her resolute expression and figured she was embarrassed. While he’d known her all of his life, he’d not really known her until they had begun work at Sommerall. He’d discovered she was proud and very sensitive, something she hid beneath a haughty mien.

Angeline said nothing as he led her up the stairs to the drawing room. When she started to sit in a chair, he shook his head. “Please, sit with me.”

“Very well.”

He took her hand in his. “I feel awful for dampening your enthusiasm.”

She did not look at him. “There is no reason for you to feel awful.”

“It’s embarrassing. I’ve asked you for a trial engagement, and yet all I have to offer is a house in need of repair that isn’t in my possession and may never be.”

She was silent for a long space of time. “I’ve wanted to be positive for your sake all this time, but I became so enthused and sure that you would inherit.” She looked at him. “I beg your pardon for making matters uncomfortable, but I think we are making a mistake.”

“What do you mean?”

“We’re doing this for all the wrong reasons.”

“It wasn’t so very long ago that you defended my father’s and stepmother’s marriage of convenience. Will you abandon our agreement to a trial engagement before it barely starts?”

“How can a marriage based on a property and restoring my reputation work?”

“Angeline, most marriages are based on convenience. You know it to be true, but you are looking for reasons to halt it. Perhaps I’m wrong, but I think you’re afraid. After what you’ve been through, it is perfectly understandable.

“I don’t want to rush into this, even though we are clearly compatible in at least one respect,” he said, smiling a little. “We’ve known each other all of our lives, but there is much we don’t know. I want you to be honest with me, and I’ll be honest with you. If at any point you decide that you do not want to move forward, you must tell me. This should not be about obligation, because it is a lifetime decision. Do you agree?”

“Yes,” she said.

“If Agnes has completed her chores and you are ready, we should probably return to Deerfield.”



Her silence on the drive back exasperated him. “Angeline, I would much rather you tell me what is troubling you than have you refuse to speak to me. It is frustrating. If I have offended you, then tell me.”

“You haven’t offended me.”

“Then tell me what troubles you,” he said.

“I know the reality of my situation, and still I find myself wishing I could change what happened.”

He gathered her in his arms. She tried to push him away, but he hushed her. “Angeline, I won’t deny that your circumstances were difficult, but the worst is over. All will be well.”

“How can you say that to me? You asked for honesty, well, so do I. Don’t tell me things will be fine when they clearly are not. My mother is deluded enough to think a party will restore my poor reputation, my father won’t speak to me, and my little sister may not have a come-out ball because of me. Do not tell me that all will be well when you know what I face. At least respect me enough to do that.”

“I do respect you,” he said. “I respect you for refusing that bastard who tried to coerce you into intimacies. I respect you for holding your head up high at that ball where that bastard betrayed you, and I respect you for being a clever and caring woman. Every word is my honest opinion of you. If I think so highly of you, and I know Margaret does as well, then believe that you deserve happiness.”

“Be honest. Do you feel obliged to make our temporary engagement a real one?” she asked. “Please don’t lie to me.”

“No, I do not feel obliged, and I hope you do not, either,” he said. “To be honest, I think all of this is about your embarrassment, but there is no reason for it. We agreed to a three-week courtship, one that is known only to us,” he said. “It will be awkward if one or both of us decides at the end of three weeks that we don’t suit, but that is the chance we take. You are free at any time to end it, and so am I. If that isn’t acceptable, we should end it now. I am willing to go forward, but are you?”