What a Reckless Rogue Needs (The Sinful Scoundrels, #2)(84)

She had released the pent-up sorrow and felt a little abashed at her emotional reaction. But now she was done with it.

Angeline returned to the desk and managed to write a short letter expressing her heartfelt joy to her brother and his wife for the safe delivery of their son. She wrote that she was thrilled to be an aunt and could not wait until she could visit and hold little John. She wrote a few lines about the house party and the weather. Then she promised to write again soon.

She felt a little embarrassed that she’d shed tears when she was happy for her brother, his wife, and all of her family.



One hour later

Angeline sat in the chair applying her fan and looking out the window. A knock sounded at the door. Angeline thought it might be Penny, but when she answered, she found Margaret there.

“May I come in?” Margaret said.

“Yes, of course,” Angeline said. She was glad that she’d bathed her face earlier, so no one would see the telling sign of a red nose.

“Let us sit on the bed like young girls and talk,” Margaret said.

They both kicked off their slippers and crossed their legs on the mattress. Margaret eyed the handkerchief.

She’d failed to cover up well enough. “I expect you know that I became a bit of a watering pot after hearing my brother’s news.”

“I anticipated this would be difficult for you,” Margaret said. Her gaze flew to the desk. “Yet, you wrote the letter.”

“After I shed a few tears,” she said.

Margaret took her hands. “I knew you would manage to write that letter.”

“I actually felt better afterward.”

“When you allow yourself to be happy for someone else’s good fortune, it will someday be returned to you. Maybe not the way you imagined, but it will come.”

“I have been angry for so long,” she said.

“You are stronger than you know, but I also suspect that you put up a wall to protect yourself. It would be a natural reaction after what you have been through.”

She had not thought of it that way. Had she tried to push Colin away? “You are very wise,” Angeline said.

“It is only life experience,” Margaret said. “When I first married Chadwick, I was terrified. You are aware that it was a marriage of convenience. I was scared and furious with my father. I did not want to wed an aristocrat, much less a man who was twelve years my senior. Frankly, I thought Chadwick only wanted my fortune. I expected misery. That first night of our married life, he told me that because of me his heart had come back to life. I didn’t understand until he told me that his first wife had died. I fell in love on my wedding night.”

Angeline sighed. “I told Colin that you brought happiness and light into Chadwick’s life.”

Margaret smoothed the covers. “My biggest regret is Colin. I had very little confidence in those days, and I was young. I was also afraid of making a mistake, so of course I made even more. I didn’t know how to approach Colin. I feared that he would think I was trying to supplant his mother, and so I was too careful with him. He needed a mother’s love, but it was awkward. I think he resented me.”

“You had just married into an instant family. It would be difficult for anyone. But he does wish to spend more time with his family. I think that will bring all of you closer.”

Margaret smiled. “I feel certain that we have you to thank for it.”

“He would have come to that conclusion eventually,” Angeline said. “It just takes men longer.”

Margaret sighed. “Angeline, you have sustained an emotional wound. It is natural to want to protect your heart in such circumstances. If you keep the gates closed, you will manage to avoid pain and sorrow, but you will miss the best of what life has to offer. Love is what brings us joy. There is no other experience on this earth to equal it. If you love Colin, let him into your heart.” She rose. “It would give me great happiness to call you my daughter-in-law one day.”

“I fear we will have to settle for friends.”

Margaret smiled. “I’ll tell you a secret.”

“I’m all ears.”

“I have a wager with Chadwick.”

“Do you? How intriguing,” Angeline said.

“You would not believe the fun you can have as a married woman. I very much want to win this wager, as I have my heart set on a ruby necklace.” Margaret wiggled her brows.

Angeline smiled. “What is the wager?”

“I’ll give you a hint. It has to do with love and family, and I might add I’m counting on you, Angeline.”

“You leave me in the dark,” she said.

“I think you will find the light.”

After Margaret left, Angeline sighed. Tonight she was meeting Colin in the library. She could have suggested an outdoor walk this afternoon, but those always ended up being a group affair, and there was no question that they needed to resolve matters. It seemed rather furtive, but given the lack of privacy, they had little choice. Even an early morning walk might draw others.

She was, however, feeling more than a little isolated and decided to go to the kitchen and try to train Hercules again. Angeline meant to invite the twins to join her, but she heard the sounds of the pianoforte and didn’t want to distract them from practicing. She figured the pug would enjoy some attention. They had not spent much time with Hercules this morning because of her confrontation with Colin.