What a Reckless Rogue Needs (The Sinful Scoundrels, #2)(90)

Perhaps his father meant to grant him Sommerall. After all, Faraday had shown insufficient interest, and as far as Colin knew, there were no other interested buyers.

“I shouldn’t get my hopes up. They’re likely to be dashed.”

“I do not know for certain, but I’m sure it will all turn out well.”

He searched her eyes and thought he was lucky to have someone believe in him that much.

She really was special and beautiful and unbelievably seductive. Now Sommerall meant more to him than it had when he’d first arrived, because if he could persuade her to marry him, it would be their home. He’d better grovel this time.

He should make up for it with a waltz at her sister’s debut. That would please her immensely. Now all he needed to figure out was the best place and time to propose. He also needed to work on the words he meant to say, because he didn’t want to make a mess of it.

If a soothsayer had predicted this, he would have scoffed, but it mattered not. He would claim Sommerall—and soon Angeline—for his own. All he had to do was get her to agree. Hell, he’d beg if necessary, because he refused to lose her.



Fifteen minutes later, Colin tapped his knuckle on his father’s slightly open study door.

“Come in and close the door, please,” the marquess said. He sealed a letter and set it in the tray. Then he rose and walked around the desk. “Please be seated.”

To Colin’s surprise, his father sat in the chair next to him rather than behind the desk. The fine hairs on the back of his neck prickled. He suspected this was not what he’d anticipated. “Is something wrong?” Colin asked.

The marquess sighed. “I understand from Angeline that Sommerall has significant sentimental value to you.”

“What?” The words took a moment to soak into his brain.

“I figured you had no idea that she spoke to me on your behalf.”

The room temperature grew chilly. “No.” But she had hinted that she knew something.

The marquess folded his arms over his chest. “She made quite a case on your behalf and said there was more to you than just your rakehell reputation.”

He got up and walked to the window. “What else?”

“I was amused and absolutely charmed.”

Colin turned around and gaped at his father.

“If you let her slip away, you’re a damn fool,” the marquess said, “although it escapes me why she’d have anything to do with the likes of you. Then again, Lady Angeline enjoys fixing and renovating things. I imagine she considers you a challenging project.”

It took a moment to sink in and then Colin guffawed.

“Be seated, son. We need to talk.”

He claimed the chair next to his father. “Something is in the wind.”

The marquess sighed. “I have received a definite offer from Faraday.”

He couldn’t breathe for a moment. Then he shook his head. “But you gave me six weeks to find a bride.”

“I know you have made no efforts in that regard. You’ll not find a bride before the time is up.”

Hell. He should have proposed, but she’d called off their trial engagement.

“You cannot sell to the Faradays. It’s a family legacy,” Colin said.

“Yes, and your mother is buried there.”

Colin leaned forward. “Tell me what the offer is and I will beg, barter, or steal to match it.”

“The thing is I led him to believe it was available. I take responsibility. I mistakenly assumed he wasn’t serious about the property.”

“Tell him it’s no longer available.”

“I would, but he was under the impression that it was still available, and he turned down the seller of the other property.”

“He can find another,” Colin said.

“Son, his wife will be delivered of their firstborn within the month. They have spent considerable time searching for a property that suits their needs. I might mention that they’re supporting her elderly grandmother as well. If I were to take it off the market, what would they do? Mrs. Faraday is in no condition to travel to several properties, and they want to live in the general area because they have family nearby. The only other property available is not within their means. I know Sommerall has special significance to you, but it would be dishonorable for me to refuse them now.”

Colin’s nostrils flared. “I should have known something would go wrong.”

“I am disappointed in myself,” the marquess said.

Colin shook his head. “None of us thought they were serious. You can’t blame yourself for an unfortunate turn of events.”

The marquess rose, walked around his desk, and opened a drawer. “I have something for you.”

Colin stood when his father approached. “Angeline mentioned that you were searching for it.”

The marquess opened the box and revealed the miniature of his mother in a pearl-encrusted frame.

“I put it away in my desk to keep and took it out from time to time just to remember her. I didn’t want Margaret to see it. I think she’s always felt like second best, though God knows I’ve always thought her an angel.”


Colin swallowed. “I don’t want to take it from you.”

“No, it’s better this way. You should have it. I’ll have one made of Margaret. I should have done it years ago. I think it is past time.”