What a Reckless Rogue Needs (The Sinful Scoundrels, #2)(99)

When the press-gang came to claim Brentmoor, Colin doffed his hat and said, “Compliments of Lady Angeline Brenham.”



Deerfield Park

Angeline sat in the drawing room reading while her mother, Margaret, Penny, and the twins embroidered. Sense and Sensibility proved to be the perfect antidote for a misty, gray day. For Angeline, it was a temporary escape from all her worst fears. She would not rest easy until Colin came home.

Penny edged forward on her chair. “Angeline, I can hardly contain my eagerness to find out what happened between Willoughby and Marianne.”

Angeline smiled. “When last we left off, Colonel Brandon was inquiring about Marianne. The colonel reveals what he knows about Willoughby. ‘He had left the girl whose youth and innocence he had seduced—’”

Bianca gasped. “Oh, what a devil.”

“It is shocking,” Bernadette said.

“Girls, allow Angeline to continue,” Margaret said.

Angeline smiled. “‘He had left her, promising to return; he neither returned, nor wrote, nor relieved her.’”

“He is a very bad man,” Penny said. “Marianne is fortunate to have escaped him.”

A deep masculine voice said, “Indeed, she is.”

Everyone rose. Angeline wanted to run straight into Colin’s arms, but she must be a good example to the girls. “You are well?” she said.

“Very,” he said, “and glad to be home.”

“Girls, let us repair to the music room,” Margaret said. “The duchess and I wish to hear how you are progressing at the pianoforte.”

“Indeed, you will be called upon to exhibit,” the duchess said. “Regular practice will help ease any anxieties you may feel in a crowd, and others will remark upon your accomplishments.”

When they left, he crossed the room and clasped her hands. “I’m sorry for the delay, but I had one last item of business.”


Her eyes welled.

“Why are you crying?” he said, taking out his handkerchief and blotting her eyes.

“I’m so relieved you are unharmed.”

He wrapped his arms around her. “I did not like being parted from you.”

“I missed you.”

“My ear still smarts a bit,” he said.

She touched it lightly “What happened?”

“He got one punch in, but you will be pleased to know that he is gone forever. He will not come back. Even if he managed such a feat, his name is blackened. He was much worse than you know. He seduced and abandoned more than one lady.”

She gasped.

“You escaped the worst, because you were too strong to fall into his trap.”

“Oh, how awful for those poor women.”

“There are probably others we know nothing about, but I thought you would like to know that thirty men stood witness against him for his disgusting treatment of you and other ladies and their families.”

“I was scared, but you did the right thing.”

“Now he can’t hurt other ladies,” Colin said. “Also, you might be interested to know that the former Lady Cunningham, now known as Lady Brentmoor, has fled the country.”

“I suppose they both got what they deserved.”

“He most certainly did,” Colin said. “Now, enough of villains. I am here to collect a debt.”

She smiled. “I promised you kisses.”

He kissed her gently on the lips. “Now, there is one more business matter, before we return to the pleasurable part. While I was in London, Harry and I called upon his mother, Mrs. Norcliffe. She bade me to deliver this to you.”

Angeline broke the seal on the letter. Her arms tingled. “She wishes to…give a ball in my honor, the first of the season.”

“My understanding is that if you have the support of Mrs. Norcliffe, you are set for life,” he said.

“I must write and thank her.”

“Before I left, I realized I wanted to give you a gift, your heart’s desire, and while there is nothing tangible, your name is clear, and Mrs. Norcliffe assured me that you will be able to attend your sister’s debut ball.”

Her face crumpled.

“Oh, no, please don’t cry.”

“I’m a watering pot today,” she said, “but they are happy tears.”

He blotted her face again.

She lifted on her toes and hugged him hard.

“I know it means the world to you.”

“You mean the world to me,” she said.

He raised her hands and kissed the backs of them. Then he knelt on one knee. “It isn’t my first proposal, but this one will hopefully be a little more romantic.”

She blinked back the moisture in her eyes.

“Angeline, I love you dearly. You are unique, funny, and a very talented pretend courtesan.”

She laughed.

“But I cannot allow any other pretend men to enjoy your charms, because I want them all for myself.”

She smiled. “I think you’re man enough for me.”

“Whew,” he said, pretending to wipe a sheen of moisture off his forehead. “Now, I didn’t prepare, but I know what I want to say. I will promise to smite any mice in the attic, and make wild, passionate love to you. Most of all, I promise to love and cherish you always. I beg you to spend a lifetime with me laughing and loving. Will you marry me?”