What a Reckless Rogue Needs Part 38

"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 G.o.d 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."

"Thank you, Father."

"I'm sorry to disappoint you about the property," the marquess said. "It was always intended for you."

Colin nodded. His thumb smoothed over the pearl frame. "Thank you, Father. If you don't mind, I'd like to ride over to Sommerall one last time."

"Of course, take your time. I can send men later to collect the cradle and rocker."

He nodded. "I appreciate it."

Angeline led the group indoors. "I don't know about everyone else, but I'm ready to warm my hands in front of the fire."

"It is brisk outside," Margaret said. "Girls, do not leave your wraps on the banister. Take them upstairs."

Penny and the twins ran upstairs with their wraps. Not long after, the three giggling girls ran back down.

Angeline crossed her arms. "Is this your idea of deportment, girls?"

"We'll try it with books on our heads after luncheon," Bianca said.

Margaret held her palms up as if beseeching a higher power for help.

"I'm starving," Penny said.

"You're in luck," Margaret said. "Luncheon is being served now."

The marquess and Wycoff joined them.

"Papa, I'm surprised you and Lord Chadwick did not go shooting today," Angeline said.

Wycoff exchanged a look with the marquess as everyone took a seat at the table.

Angeline looked at the marquess. "Where is Colin?"

"At Sommerall," the marquess said. "You might as well hear it now since we're all gathered. Mr. and Mrs. Faraday wish to purchase the property."

Angeline gasped.

"Angeline," the d.u.c.h.ess said in a reproving tone.

"It's perfectly understandable," the duke said. "Our daughter recognizes what the property means to Ravens.h.i.+re."

When the marquess finished explaining the circ.u.mstances, Angeline rose. "Lord Chadwick, may I have the use of a carriage?"

"You should stay here," the d.u.c.h.ess said.

"Actually, d.u.c.h.ess, if you and Wycoff approve, I think Colin would welcome Angeline's company," the marquess said. "She was instrumental in a.s.sisting him, though I understand there is far more to be done-or would have been done."

"I will approve," Wycoff said. "They are adults, after all."

"Thank you, my lord," Angeline said. "Thank you, Papa."

"I'll make the arrangements for the carriage," the marquess said.

Margaret rose. "I'll have a hamper put together. He probably did not eat before he left. This is such a disappointment. I so hoped he would take possession and be near us at long last."

Thirty minutes later, Angeline boarded the carriage with the hamper. She figured it would feel like the longest carriage drive she'd ever taken, even though it wasn't all that far to Sommerall. She was glad that no one had complained about her journeying to him without a maid. This had to have been a low blow for him, and she wanted to console him.

When the carriage rolled into the drive at last, John stepped down and offered to carry the heavy hamper. Angeline hurried up the walk. The wind was blowing papery autumn leaves, and the gray sky looked forbidding.

The noise of the carriage must have alerted Colin because he opened the door. She ran straight into his arms. "I came as soon I heard," she cried.

"Hush," Colin said. "Come inside out of the cold."

John set the hamper on the foyer table. "My lord, I await your instructions."

"Drive the carriage back to Deerfield. Lewis took the other to the barn. Inform him that we'll depart at four o'clock."

"Yes, my lord."

After John left, Colin wrapped his arms around Angeline again. "Thank you for coming."

"How could I not?" She wiped a stray tear.

He offered his handkerchief. "You're not weeping over an old house, are you?"

"I was so sure it would be yours." I wanted it to be ours.

"It's not the end of the world," he said. "There are far worse things."

He hugged her. "Come to the drawing room with me. I have something to show you."

Why did everything have to fall apart? She knew it was ridiculous to think that way, but they had worked so hard, and she had wanted him to possess the property so that he could have his own home and be near his mother's grave.

When they stepped inside, he walked to the hearth. "I'll make a fire. It's a bit chilly in here."

"I could prepare a tea tray," she said. "Margaret sent a hamper."

"That would be nice," he said. "Let me help. It's a bit heavy for you."

Not long after, he got a decent fire going, and the kettle whistled. He removed it while Angeline added tea leaves to the pot. He poured the hot water and sat beside her.

"While we wait for the tea to get dark, I thought you might like to see my mother's miniature."

He took out the box and showed her the pearl-encrusted frame.

"She was beautiful," Angeline said. "Where did you find it?"

"My father had it stowed away in his desk. I suppose he felt a bit guilty keeping the miniature because of Margaret. He gave it to me. So you see all is not lost."

Angeline bit her lip and nodded, because she was an adult and it was silly to cry on his behalf, but she felt his disappointment in her own heart. "I imagine Mr. and Mrs. Faraday will be kind enough to allow you to pay your respects to your mother periodically."

"Yes, I'll speak to them. It shouldn't be too much of an imposition, I hope."

She poured the tea. "I confess I'm a little sad. I'd looked forward to replacing the furniture and draperies. We never did get around to discussing a laundry and a spring vegetable garden, but that's no longer your concern."

They drank their tea in silence.

She set her cup aside. "Will you be staying through the Christmas holidays?"

"I have business in London. I'll journey home a few days beforehand."

She felt as if a clock were winding backward to the first night she'd seen him outside the drawing room at Deerfield. Everything had changed and then settled back to where they started the journey to the house party.

"Would you like to walk to your mother's mausoleum?" she asked. "I would be glad to accompany you."

"Thank you. I would like that very much."

The wind was blowing autumn leaves everywhere. A red squirrel scampered past, reminding her of Hercules. When they reached the mausoleum, he took out the miniature and kissed it. "You will not be forgotten," he said.

Tears poured down her cheeks.

He took out a handkerchief and blotted them. "I think she would have liked you." He put his arm around her shoulder and led her back to the house.

"Do you want to walk through once more?" she asked.

"Yes, I think so." He lit a lantern and led her up the stairs. "Let's start at the attic, shall we?"

She gave him a weak smile. "We did spend a great deal of time there."

They stepped inside. "Everything is in order," he said. "But I don't see our mouse."

She laughed.

"I expect my father will send servants for the rest of the items."

Colin took her hand, and they walked through the nursery. He retrieved the box of tin soldiers. "I think I'll take this for sentimental reasons."

They walked into his father's old room where the shaving stand stood. Then he led her through the connecting door to his late mother's room.

"Well, the bed didn't catch fire, but it was a near thing."

He startled a laugh out of her. "Oh, I cannot believe the things I said and did."

"You may scoff, but truly it was one of the best nights I've ever had." He looked at her from the corner of his eye. "I hope you have no regrets."

"I don't," she said. I will never regret loving you.

He sat on the edge of the bed and patted the mattress. "Sit with me. There is something I wish to tell you."

She took a deep breath and joined him.

"I have sent letters to my friends. I gave them no particulars, but, and this hopefully will not unsettle you, they are very aware that Brentmoor mistreated you. Harry and Bellingham are willing and more than able to bring in supporters for you. With your permission, I would like to do everything in my power to restore your good name."

She stood and walked to the window. When she pulled back the drapes, brown and orange leaves swirled in the wind. "I intended to ask my mother, Margaret, and Charlotte to help."

"I believe Mrs. Norcliffe will help as well, but I want justice for what he did to you and your family."

"I don't know if it is even possible," she said. "I could refute certain things, but more than one man saw me in the gardens with Brentmoor."

"He tricked you, and I'm certain it would not surprise anyone, given his bad reputation. I'll leave the choice to you, Angeline. You don't have to decide now."

She thought about the way Brentmoor had manipulated her father. She thought about the way he'd tricked and humiliated her in those gardens, and she thought about all the lies he'd told. All those things welled up inside her.

"I'm tired of worrying about how this is affecting my family. I am furious with that man for what he did to me, and undoubtedly what he has probably done to other women."

"You're shaking," he said.

"I'm shaking with fury. How dare he hurt my family and me? I want him brought down to his knees."

"Consider it done, Angeline. I promise you, I'll see him literally brought to his knees."

Two days later Everyone had gathered for a walk. Bianca attached a leash to Hercules. Angeline bent down to the dog and said, "Sit."

Hercules licked her hand.

The marquess strolled by and scoffed.

Colin laughed and then a knock sounded. He walked toward the foyer and saw Ames handing over coin to a man bringing the post. When the butler shut the door, he looked at the addresses and held them out to Colin. "My lord, you have two urgent letters from London."

He suspected who had written them, but he would say nothing in front of the others. Colin exchanged a long look with his father. Then he said, "Please go on ahead with the walk, everyone. I will join you after I have dealt with a business matter." He bowed and hurried up the stairs.

Colin gritted his teeth. He had to be strong for Angeline, even though he might have to read disgusting and false rumors about her. Better him than her. But he also had to gather as many supporters as possible to attest to her good character. It was a daunting prospect, but he'd sworn to clear her name, if at all possible.

Dear Colin, You will never believe the lies that Brentmoor is now spreading. I've kept silent at the club until I am able to consult further with you. Of course, I wish to abide by the lady's wishes first and foremost. I also want to prevent fanning the flames higher, but Brentmoor's return has added fresh fuel to the firestorm. He is spreading coin everywhere now that he has inherited property. In addition, he is drowning himself in strong drink and claiming that Lady Angeline has spread lies about him! He claims that she had already cried off when he and Lady Cunningham were discovered at that ball. Furthermore, he is reportedly telling everyone that it was Lady A's idea to go out into the dark gardens. Can you believe it? The man is all but suggesting that she seduced him!

"Good Lord," Colin muttered. "I'll kill the b.a.s.t.a.r.d." He took a deep breath and continued reading Harry's letter.

It would be laughable, but he paints her as shameless and without moral restraint.

The two main problems aside from the fiend himself are that the stories are spreading like wildfire in the scandal sheets and clubs, because they are of a salacious nature and because other men saw Brentmoor with his hands on her in a poorly lit garden. Forgive me for being blunt, but I do not want it to come as a surprise at a bad time.

Colin had to pause a moment. He knew the fiend had tricked her and purposely exposed her, but it was still difficult to read. He gritted his teeth and continued on.