What a Reckless Rogue Needs (The Sinful Scoundrels, #2)(55)

“Yes, I am.” Even though it worried her. What would happen after they married? They would not even be considering marriage if not for his father’s decree and her need to restore her good reputation.

Angeline was afraid of what the future held in such a marriage, but she knew it would be the right thing to do for her family. She had only two choices: spinsterhood or a marriage of convenience. At least the latter afforded her a measure of respectability.

There were still three weeks for them to make this decision. She could not imagine that she would change her mind, because she owed it to her family and she wasn’t likely to get another chance.

But it wasn’t her decision alone. How would she feel if he told her that he had reconsidered and could not marry her? Dear God, what had they gotten themselves into?





Chapter Nine



Wycoff was in better spirits after having bagged a bird. At dinner earlier, Colin had noted that Angeline had focused her attention on her father. When her father proposed a game of chess after his port, Angeline’s face lit up like a dozen candles. He was glad to see her happiness and hoped it would last.

When the ladies withdrew, Wycoff and the marquess talked endlessly about the shooting today. Colin said nothing, as his thoughts were elsewhere. He wondered why so many had believed Brentmoor’s ugly words about Angeline. Then he realized her mother’s friends had given her bad advice. When the duchess had taken her daughter to the Continent, she’d inadvertently signaled that her daughter had been guilty of Brentmoor’s coarse accusations. However, Colin realized that Brentmoor’s return could well be advantageous. If enough high-ranking friends spread the word that she’d been falsely accused of something that had never happened, her good name could be restored. He could not be sure that others would champion her, but it was worth the effort.

He would say nothing for now, but it was important. The first time they had spoken about a marriage of convenience, she’d said that she felt obliged to accept his offer for the sake of her family, but she ought to have a choice. If she declined his offer of marriage, however, he would probably lose Sommerall. He wanted the property badly, but he was in danger of losing it. He remembered her words: We’re doing this for all the wrong reasons. It was too easy to imagine the marriage souring, because it was based on his motivation to keep the property and her wish to help her family. But he could not let Sommerall fall into a stranger’s hands. Damn it all, he had to figure out a way to ensure he gained possession.

“You are uncharacteristically silent,” the marquess said to him.

“Just thinking.”

“How to outwit me for Sommerall?”


Wycoff laughed. “Doesn’t every bachelor have cold feet?”

“Right.” Colin finished his port.

“You are in the doldrums,” the marquess said. “By the by, how did you find things at Sommerall?”

Wycoff rose. “Finish your port, Chadwick. I promised Angeline a game of chess. She will no doubt trounce me.”

“Tell my wife we’ll be along shortly.”

After Wycoff departed, the marquess poured both of them another port. “He is a shell of the man he used to be.”

“Has he ever told you what happened?”

“He told me very little, but I suspect you know.”

“Angeline told me in confidence.” He sighed. “I figured she had no one to confide in, so I listened.”

“How bad is it?”

“Did Margaret ever speak to the duchess?” he asked.

“When it happened, she told Margaret how the vile man deceived them all, but the duchess was understandably vexed at the time. I think their journey to Paris was a mistake. It only made it appear that Angeline was guilty of something.”

“I agree.” Colin sipped his port and set it aside. “It was very bad. She told me in confidence, but I will say this much. She’s innocent of the disgusting claims that Brentmoor made.”

“Son, what did he claim? I only ask because I’ve been racking my brains how to help her, but I can’t if I don’t know what I’m up against.”

He told his father how Brentmoor had pressed her for intimacies and how they’d been seen kissing out of doors in a dark area. “He probably wanted to make sure she felt guilty enough to marry him. She admitted that she’d had doubts. After she cried off, he must have been bent on revenge. Her friend’s brother revealed that Brentmoor claimed he’d lain with her multiple times.”

“Hell,” the marquess said.

“Others believed it because she’d been spotted in a compromising embrace with him in the unlit area of a garden. I might add he pressed her constantly. Of course she was seen, something he probably planned, to ensure she would feel too guilty not to marry him. She’s innocent of everything.”

“When the house party ends, I will contact friends,” the marquess said. “We need supporters.”

“I’ll write to Harry. His mother is famous for her at-homes.”

“I’m not sure that’s a good idea. I’ve heard it’s nothing but tittle-tattle,” the marquess said.

“Harry would do anything for me,” he said. “As I recall, his mother is fond of Angeline. I’ll see if I can pull in Bellingham. He’s got more influence than anyone, except for you.”