What a Reckless Rogue Needs (The Sinful Scoundrels, #2)(58)

“Seems he saw fit to make an appearance.” The marquess folded his handkerchief and put it away.

The knocker rapped. “I’ll see him in,” Colin said.

He expected a vulgar bumped up chit, but the man before him was young and well dressed. Faraday was clearly a gentleman.

“Please come in,” he said. “I’m Ravenshire.”

The marquess met him. “Faraday.”

“I beg your pardon,” Faraday said. “I was delayed by the unexpected arrival of the doctor. My wife is in expectation of a happy event, and I grew concerned when she complained of pains, but the doctor said it wasn’t unusual. It is too early…Well, that’s probably more than you wanted to know, but I do apologize for the delay. First-time father jitters.”

“I understand,” the marquess said, walking through the hall again. “I’ll leave you to have a look over the house again. The study is just off that corridor,” he said, pointing. “Meet my son and me there when you’re done.”

Faraday bowed and went off to explore.

Colin sat in a chair before the desk. His father took the chair beside him. “Faraday is having trouble making up his mind. I suggested he bring his wife this time. Women always know what they want, but obviously she wasn’t well enough to attend him.”

“The second visit probably means he will choose this one over the other,” Colin said.

“We shall see,” the marquess said. “Of course, you still have time to choose a bride and make the property yours.”

Colin said nothing, but he was dispirited. In a short time, he’d become attached to Sommerall. He would probably always associate the time he’d spent here with Angeline. He wished that they could spend one more day here, but they couldn’t. It had ended all too soon.


Feeling restless, he rose and walked over to the tall bookshelves, but he wasn’t in the mood to read.

“You are welcome to any that interest you,” the marquess said.

“I’ll look them over before Faraday takes possession.”

“It’s not an inevitable conclusion,” the marquess said.

Colin figured the man had already decided to make the purchase and was only having one more look before making his decision. Then he would have to either persuade Angeline to marry him or his father would sell the property when the six weeks were up.

Fifteen minutes later, he rose again, walked to the window, and nudged the drapes open. It was a clear day, but he couldn’t see the mausoleum from this vantage point.

Footsteps alerted him. He turned as Faraday stepped inside and bowed.

The marquess rose. “Well, have you decided?”

Colin’s heart raced, knowing what was to come, but he held his breath anyway.

“I’ll have one more look at the other property,” Faraday said. “You will have my decision soon.” He paused and said, “I understand that it will not be available for six weeks.”

The marquess cleared his throat. “Very well, Faraday. I hope this is the last delay.”

“Yes, my lord. I just want to make sure.” He paused and said, “There’s a cradle in the nursery.”

“I would like to take it and the rocker,” Colin said.

His father arched his brows.

Colin had surprised even himself. He’d made the request without a thought, but the rocker and the cradle now made sense. It was a tangible link to his mother, and the only one he would ever have.

“I’ll see myself out,” Faraday said. “Thank you for your patience.”

After he left, the marquess frowned. “What the devil are you going to do with a rocker and cradle?”

“I want to keep them for the day I start a family,” he said.

“When might that illustrious day be?”

“I don’t know.” But it would not be long. Otherwise, he stood to lose all.

“It appears no one can make decisions today,” the marquess said. “However, I can. Come with me to your mother’s resting place. I haven’t been in some time.”



The fallen autumn leaves crunched beneath their boots. The wind was up, and his father’s thinning hair blew about after they both removed their hats. “Your mother was a beautiful lady inside and out,” he said. “I fell madly in love with Elizabeth, and I was terrified because I had a competitor for her hand.”

Colin regarded his father curiously. “What happened?”

“I tried flowers, sweetmeats, and poetry. She remained unimpressed until one day I found a kitten. When I called on her, I feared the cat had stolen her affections from me. She laughed when I admitted it. She loved that kitten.”

“How did you win her?” Colin said.

“I told her the truth,” he said. “That I couldn’t sleep or eat, and I thought about her all the time. Then I told her that I didn’t have any pretty words, but I loved her so much it hurt to think of l-losing her.” His father’s voice broke. “I did anyway.”

Colin put his arm around his father’s shoulder. “I imagine you were very happy when you married.”

“Oh, yes. One day the kitten got out somehow, and I thought I’d never be able to console her. Not long after, she discovered that she was expecting—you. We were overjoyed. I thought I’d go mad while she labored to bring you into the world. Your grandfather, rest his soul, plied me with entirely too much brandy.”