What a Reckless Rogue Needs (The Sinful Scoundrels, #2)(63)

The carriage had just turned off the drive when the rain started in earnest. Angeline sat beside Colin and looked out the window. “I hope the rain doesn’t keep Mr. and Mrs. Faraday away,” she said.

“I have high hopes they won’t show,” Colin said.

“Oh, I’m sorry, Colin. I spoke heedlessly.”

Don’t feel sorry for me. “He’s probably afraid to take her out in the rain.”

“Well, it is damp and chilly,” Angeline said. “You indicated she is in a delicate condition.”

“We shall see what happens.” If she balked at the idea of marrying him, he would have no choice but to take drastic measures. He would have to make it seem as if they’d gotten lost in passion. God, he’d never done anything like this in his life. He’d never even contemplated it.

“I was surprised you agreed to meet Faraday,” she said. “You have nothing to gain and everything to lose in this sale.”

“You think so?” I’m praying Mrs. Faraday hates the house, because the thought of seducing you is killing me.

“What are you planning?” she said. “I can see something is on your mind.”

“I was thinking I might point out all the work that must be done for the house to be in a proper state of order.”

She stared at him. “You cannot be serious.”

He removed his hat and set it beside him. “The thought might have crossed my mind.” It is preferable to what I intend for you.

“Faraday has doubts enough that he’s returning for the third time,” she said. “I think his doubts are in your favor.”

“He must be very interested or he would not bother to bring his wife,” he said. “Frankly, I’m trying to think of ways to discourage him.”

“You know I support your claim to the property, but you should not discourage him,” she said.

“Even if it means I lose Sommerall and strangers tramp across my mother’s resting place?”

“I understand your feelings,” she said, “but you would not feel right about doing it.”

You have no idea what I would do to keep Sommerall. “The truth is the house needs work—a great deal of work as you well know.”

She set her gloved hand over his. “Colin, you surprise me. Honesty is always the best policy.”

He narrowed his eyes. “Are you saying you would never use your wiles to get something you want very badly?”

“Not at someone else’s expense.”

His blood heated. He’d grown angry with her. She knew he was a rake. Why was she foolish enough to trust him? “Can you imagine using your wiles for someone else? Your sister, perhaps?”

Her face turned red at his words. “How dare you say such a thing? You know how much I worry about my sister.”

“So the rules are different for you than for me?”

“Stop the carriage this instant,” she said.

“Angeline, I apologize—”

“Stop the carriage. Take me back to Deerfield.”

He’d muddled things up now. “Angeline, calm yourself.”

“No, I will not. How can you be so cruel?”

She has no idea how cruel I mean to be.

“You know how much I worry about Penny.”

He caught her hands. “Listen. It slipped out and was badly done on my part. All I have is a sorry excuse.”

“You’re worried about losing Sommerall,” she said. “It must be the vexation.”

She took off her bonnet and laid her head against his shoulder. “I understand.” She drew in a shuddered breath. “I should have been more understanding and sympathetic.”

“Please forgive me.” He was miserable with his dishonesty and so tempted to confess, but if he did, he would set events in motion that would hurt her and the friendships of both their families.

“I know how much Sommerall means to you.”

I’m a selfish bastard, but I swear I’ll make it up to you.

“It is not wrong for you to want to keep the house to preserve your mother’s grave. The house does need work. There are marks on the walls, the carpets have to be replaced, and the furnishings are out of date. You do not have to exaggerate the problems, but you do not have to point out the virtues, either.”

He clenched his teeth. I don’t deserve you. “My guess is our row has been all for naught,” Colin said. “Most likely, Mr. and Mrs. Faraday will not show.”



As the carriage rumbled along, Angeline found herself hoping that Colin was right about the Faradays, because she was having doubts about their trial engagement. She wanted to grasp his offer of a marriage of convenience, because it was a chance to redeem herself. Most of all, it was a gift she wanted to give to her sweet little sister, and for that, she would use her wiles and even marry to make sure Penny could make her debut in London next spring. But it wasn’t fair to Colin. None of her reasons involved him, and that wasn’t honorable at all.



Thunder rumbled. Colin held the umbrella as they ran to the door. The wet made it a bit chilly, and Angeline was glad for her warm cape. He unlocked the door and ushered her inside. They hung their damp wraps and set their gloves on the marble hall table.