What a Reckless Rogue Needs (The Sinful Scoundrels, #2)(61)

After leaving Aries in the care of a groom, Colin offered his arm to Angeline and escorted her along the path. He knew what he had to do, but his chest tightened. The devil. Surely there was another way to ensure she would marry him, but he’d racked his brain and could not think of an honorable way.

When they walked inside Deerfield, Wycoff and his father were standing in the hall in muddy boots as usual. The marquess was scowling at Bianca and Bernadette.

Colin noticed tear tracks on his sisters’ faces and the dog sitting there lolling his tongue. “I take it something is amiss.”

Bernadette sniffed. “Papa means to give Hercules away to one of the tenants.”

“Hercules didn’t mean to have an accident in the water closet.” Bianca dabbed a handkerchief at her eyes. “H-he is still a puppy.”

“Thus far, he has ruined a pair of boots, several legs on the tables, and to top it all off, he breaks wind,” the marquess said gruffly.


Colin burst out laughing.

Angeline clapped her hand over her mouth, but her shoulders were shaking.

Margaret hurried down the stairs. “What is all this commotion about?”

“Papa is making Hercules an orphan,” Bianca said.

“Oh, for pity’s sake,” the marquess said. “I rue the day that dog set foot in our house. Enough is enough. Margaret, I know you side with the girls about the dog, but he is damaging our home and is uncouth.”

“Lord Chadwick,” Angeline said. “Hercules is a smart dog. The girls have already taught him how to shake hands. He only needs to be trained properly. I will gladly help the girls with his training.”

“You know how to train dogs?” Colin said.

She nodded. “I had a dog, but he died before we left for Paris.”

Colin met his father’s gaze and then looked at his sisters. “If you want to keep Hercules, you should demonstrate to our father that you will teach him how to behave.”

“You must be consistent,” Angeline said. “When he does well, reward him. That is how he will learn.”

“Papa, will you give us another chance with Hercules?” Bianca said. “We promise to train him.”

“I don’t know,” the marquess said.

Margaret walked over to her husband and patted his arm. “Perhaps we could train you to remove your muddy boots before you walk in the house.”

Colin shared a smile with Angeline and then he turned to his sisters. “You might thank Angeline,” he said.

They put their arms around her. “Thank you,” they said in unison.

The marquess sat on a bench in the great hall and removed his muddy boots. The marble floor was a mess.

Margaret held her hands up as if beseeching a higher power. “I give up.”



Late that night in bed, the marquess sighed. “You have never failed to make me a happy man, Margaret.”

“You are a lusty man,” she said, laughing.

He kissed his wife gently. “I do love you, my dear.”

“And I you.” She sighed. “What do you make of Colin and Angeline?”

“What do you mean? They haven’t killed each other. We’re safe from violence.” He chuckled.

“Chadwick, you know very well what I mean. He took her up on the horse to keep her safe. I find that very chivalrous.”

“For a married woman, you are remarkably na?ve, my dear.”

“What do you mean?” she said.

“Chivalry had nothing to do with his decision. No doubt my son was enjoying the close proximity of the lovely Angeline.”

“I’ve seen the way he looks at her when he thinks no one is noticing,” Margaret said.

“He’s a man, Margaret. Put a curvaceous beauty in front of a male, he will look.”

“Chadwick, you had better not look at any other woman or you will sleep in one of the guest rooms.”

“But I have no reason to look elsewhere when I have my own beautiful, curvaceous wife close at hand.”

“Good answer.” Margaret sighed again. “The girls are so excited about their debut next spring. It is all they talk about. Even sweet Penny is enthused.”

“I fear society is not prepared for our twins. No doubt they will create mayhem wherever they go as they’re wont to do.”

“Be serious, dear. I worry that our efforts to champion Angeline will not succeed.”

“You have not said anything to the duchess, have you?”

“No, dear, I would never presume to do so. If it does not work, it would be very hard on our girls as well as Penny. I know Angeline is worried on her sister’s behalf.”

“Margaret, we must leave this to Angeline and my son. If it is meant to be, it will be.”

She snorted inelegantly. “I should have known better than to consult you. Do you think I will leave this up to Providence?”

“My dear, you are determined to play matchmaker, but I suspect Lady Angeline is far too practical to fall for our roguish son. Any woman with half a brain would avoid him.”

“Chadwick, he is our son. You ought to be ashamed.”

“I am, Margaret. Ashamed that I didn’t curb him years ago. You know I could have done it by withholding his funds, but I didn’t. Something must be done. I am taking care of it.”