What a Reckless Rogue Needs (The Sinful Scoundrels, #2)(89)

Most important of all, she was glad that she’d spoken to the marquess. He would surely agree that it would be much better to have his son as a neighbor than Mr. and Mrs. Faraday. Who wanted to be neighbors with people who could never be pleased and couldn’t make up their minds? Angeline understood the marquess had felt the need to test his son and make sure he truly wanted the property and meant to take care of it.

She loved Colin with all of her heart. A year from now, they would likely meet up again at the annual house party. He might be married by then. She might be as well, but there was no point in dwelling on the future.





Chapter Fifteen



The next morning before breakfast

Colin donned his coat and allowed Horace to fiddle with his cravat and shine his boots. He’d hoped to feel better after their meeting last night, but she’d ended their engagement. He couldn’t let that happen. As he buttoned his coat, it struck him that he could have ended this farce and proposed to her the day after the storm, but in retrospect their trial engagement had not been such a great idea. They had both been so hesitant, with good reason. A marriage based on property and a come-out ball sounded pretty flimsy in hindsight. He supposed it said much about their mutual desperation.

But now he was feeling desperate again, because he was in danger of losing her, and he didn’t want to lose her. Why did he always realize what he stood to lose only when matters were at their worst? He had to believe that he still had a chance. Once they were properly wed, he would request her services as a famous pretend courtesan. He would object, however, to her keeping other pretend men and knew that would tickle her fancy. Most of all he would make her laugh every day, because he knew there hadn’t been much laughter after that fiend tried to destroy her and her family.

She didn’t know it, and he had no intention of telling her, but he meant to avenge her. Brentmoor was something of a pretty boy, but he wouldn’t be after Colin used his handy fists to rearrange Brentmoor’s nose and blacken his bloodshot eyes. But first Colin had to gather all the supporters he could find, because he meant to give her the one thing that would make her happy. She was a duke’s daughter and a beautiful, clever woman who loved her sister and her parents.

More than anything, he wanted to give her a gift, her heart’s desire. She didn’t want anything for herself. She just wanted it for her sister. He didn’t know if he could manage it, but he would do everything in his power to make it happen.



When Colin took his usual chair next to Angeline at breakfast, he saw how tired she looked and felt badly. Mostly, he was worried because she’d ended the engagement, and he feared she wouldn’t give him a second chance. He figured he’d probably better get on his knees this time and beg her, because she’d sounded serious last night. He didn’t want to lose her.


Penny looked a little sleepy, too, and the duchess eyed her daughters suspiciously. “I understand that Penny stayed in your room last night, Angeline. Why do you both look so fatigued?”

“I was restless last night,” Angeline said. “I kept Penny awake.”

“The next time you are restless and wide awake, come to our room,” Bernadette said. “We’ll tell ghost stories.”

Colin decided to scare his sisters. “Muahahaha.”

Naturally the twins squealed.

The marquess rolled his eyes. “Colin, do not encourage your sisters in ghoulish nonsense. Margaret has enough trouble with the usual nonsense.”

Colin finished his breakfast and cup of tea. “The sun is out. I imagine Hercules would enjoy being outdoors, if that is acceptable, Margaret.”

“I think we should take advantage of the sunshine,” she said.

Colin turned to Angeline. “How is Hercules’s training progressing?”

“He is doing well. The girls have already taught him how to shake hands as you’ve seen. As long as his training is consistent, he will do very well. He is smart.”

The marquess snorted.

“Chadwick,” Margaret said, “you know how much Hercules means to the girls.”

“I would hope not more than their papa.”

“Are you jealous of Hercules, Papa?” Bianca asked.

“Mortally,” he said, folding his paper.

“Are you shooting today, Papa?” Angeline asked the duke.

Wycoff cleared his throat. “Not today, Daughter. Chadwick and I have a business matter to discuss.”

The marquess set his cup on the dish. “Speaking of business, Colin, if you have finished your breakfast, please come to my study in fifteen minutes.”

Colin wondered what surprise his father meant to spring on him now, but he would find out soon enough. His chest felt tight again, and he had a feeling this would not be good news.

Angeline looked at Colin. “Should we wait for you?”

“I beg your pardon,” the marquess said. “The business matter will probably take some time. I suggest the ladies go on ahead with your planned outing.”

Everyone rose and went to collect their warm wraps. Angeline stayed back with Colin. When everyone else had left, she turned to him. “I have a feeling this is good news for you.”

Colin’s heart beat a little faster. “Do you know something?”

She smiled. “I might know a little.”