What a Reckless Rogue Needs (The Sinful Scoundrels, #2)(73)

“Searching through trunks and making notes of the work that is needed is not the same thing as a marriage,” she said.

He folded his hands behind his head. “Isn’t marriage made up of everyday things? Breakfast, lovemaking, dinner, lovemaking, tea, lovemaking.”

“You are incorrigible.”

He turned on his side and propped his head up. “No, I’m delighted—with you. I think we’ll rub along, pardon the pun, very well.”

He was still under the influence of passion. “I think we need to continue our original plan to learn more about each other. We only have two and one-half weeks left.”

He lifted her hand for a kiss. “Perhaps we can find a reason to return to Sommerall.”

“I think we had better use caution. If we were caught, it could cause hard feelings,” she said. “My father suffers enough guilt for what happened and so does my mother. You do not want to disappoint your father, either.”

“Trust me. He is disappointed in me and has been for some time.”

“I do not believe that he is disappointed in you. You find his ultimatums ridiculous. He can be difficult, but you manage to work around it.”

“I tire of it.” He rubbed his nose against hers. “But not of you.”

He was flirtatious, but they needed to talk about the things that really mattered if they were to make the engagement official. “We are facing the possibility of bringing a child into the world. Yet, we need to discuss if we want a large family or not.”

He shrugged. “I never thought much about it. I figure babies will come along when they will.”

Yet, his mother had died in childbirth. Many women succumbed, particularly when there were multiple pregnancies. “It can be prevented?” she said.

“Tonight, I proved it can be a tricky business to prevent. I am sorry. Usually I…never mind.”

“Finish what you meant to say.”

“You are more delectable than…I expected.”

That was not what he’d almost said. “You are speaking very carefully,” she said. “To preserve my feminine sensibilities, perhaps?”

“Neither of us can change the past,” he said. “You are a lady and my secret fiancée. I rather like the idea; it sounds mysterious. If all goes well, you will be my wife, provided we are both in accord now or when the house party ends. Now, wasn’t that easy?”

“I know you’ve had mistresses.”

“That is what bachelors do before they marry. This should be no surprise to you.”

She summoned up the courage to ask what she really wanted to know. “Have you ever been in love?”

He remained silent for a long moment. “I thought so once.”

“What happened?” she asked.

“Why do you want to know? It happened ten years ago.”

“Then why do you hesitate to tell me?”

“Because it ended very badly. Leave it be.”

“Did she break your heart?”

His eyes blazed. “I was mad for her, but her husband took exception to the affair de coeur.”

Angeline inhaled sharply. “Who was she?”

He shook his head. “My father bought my way out of a duel. He has reasons for being disappointed in me.”

“She was older, wasn’t she?”

“I knew this would happen. I shouldn’t have told you.”

“You do realize how hypocritical you are,” she said. “I told you every detail about Brentmoor. There were no other serious relationships. I think the reason you do not tell me is because you do not trust me enough to confide in me.”

“I did not want you to hear the sordid truth, and I don’t want to remember it, either. I’m not proud of it, Angeline, but I was young and stupid.”

“You loved her,” she said.

He was silent for a long moment. “Her husband banished her to Scotland. I thought I would lose my mind.”

She squeezed her eyes shut. He had loved her.

“Turn on your side,” he said. “You must be tired.” When she did, he curled up behind her and cupped her breast.

She’d insisted that he tell her. Now she knew. Another woman had once won his love. It shouldn’t matter, but it hurt. All along, they had agreed to a marriage of convenience, but she’d hoped he would develop tender feelings for her. He liked her, but he didn’t love her. She wondered if he ever would.



Something tickled her neck and something hard pressed against her back.

Colin pressed her shoulder to the mattress. “Good morning.”

Memories of the night before flooded her brain. Her face heated as she realized she was naked. Her shift was half dangling off the foot of the bed.

He nudged her thighs apart and suckled her breasts.

She inhaled.

He kissed her neck again.

She wanted to succumb to pleasure, but she was worried. What would happen when he tired of her? “I think we need to talk,” she said.

He groaned and rolled onto his back. “Something is troubling you,” he said.

“I’m a little concerned about what will happen.”

“You worry too much.”

“How can I not worry? You know my past. I’ve no idea what will transpire between us. Yes, I worry.”