Chapter Nine
Wycoff was in better spirits after having bagged a bird. At dinner earlier, Colin had noted that Angeline had focused her attention on her father. When her father proposed a game of chess after his port, Angeline’s face lit up like a dozen candles. He was glad to see her happiness and hoped it would last.
When the ladies withdrew, Wycoff and the marquess talked endlessly about the shooting today. Colin said nothing, as his thoughts were elsewhere. He wondered why so many had believed Brentmoor’s ugly words about Angeline. Then he realized her mother’s friends had given her bad advice. When the duchess had taken her daughter to the Continent, she’d inadvertently signaled that her daughter had been guilty of Brentmoor’s coarse accusations. However, Colin realized that Brentmoor’s return could well be advantageous. If enough high-ranking friends spread the word that she’d been falsely accused of something that had never happened, her good name could be restored. He could not be sure that others would champion her, but it was worth the effort.
He would say nothing for now, but it was important. The first time they had spoken about a marriage of convenience, she’d said that she felt obliged to accept his offer for the sake of her family, but she ought to have a choice. If she declined his offer of marriage, however, he would probably lose Sommerall. He wanted the property badly, but he was in danger of losing it. He remembered her words: We’re doing this for all the wrong reasons. It was too easy to imagine the marriage souring, because it was based on his motivation to keep the property and her wish to help her family. But he could not let Sommerall fall into a stranger’s hands. Damn it all, he had to figure out a way to ensure he gained possession.
“You are uncharacteristically silent,” the marquess said to him.
“Just thinking.”
“How to outwit me for Sommerall?”
Wycoff laughed. “Doesn’t every bachelor have cold feet?”
“Right.” Colin finished his port.
“You are in the doldrums,” the marquess said. “By the by, how did you find things at Sommerall?”
Wycoff rose. “Finish your port, Chadwick. I promised Angeline a game of chess. She will no doubt trounce me.”
“Tell my wife we’ll be along shortly.”
After Wycoff departed, the marquess poured both of them another port. “He is a shell of the man he used to be.”
“Has he ever told you what happened?”
“He told me very little, but I suspect you know.”
“Angeline told me in confidence.” He sighed. “I figured she had no one to confide in, so I listened.”
“How bad is it?”
“Did Margaret ever speak to the duchess?” he asked.
“When it happened, she told Margaret how the vile man deceived them all, but the duchess was understandably vexed at the time. I think their journey to Paris was a mistake. It only made it appear that Angeline was guilty of something.”
“I agree.” Colin sipped his port and set it aside. “It was very bad. She told me in confidence, but I will say this much. She’s innocent of the disgusting claims that Brentmoor made.”
“Son, what did he claim? I only ask because I’ve been racking my brains how to help her, but I can’t if I don’t know what I’m up against.”
He told his father how Brentmoor had pressed her for intimacies and how they’d been seen kissing out of doors in a dark area. “He probably wanted to make sure she felt guilty enough to marry him. She admitted that she’d had doubts. After she cried off, he must have been bent on revenge. Her friend’s brother revealed that Brentmoor claimed he’d lain with her multiple times.”
“Hell,” the marquess said.
“Others believed it because she’d been spotted in a compromising embrace with him in the unlit area of a garden. I might add he pressed her constantly. Of course she was seen, something he probably planned, to ensure she would feel too guilty not to marry him. She’s innocent of everything.”
“When the house party ends, I will contact friends,” the marquess said. “We need supporters.”
“I’ll write to Harry. His mother is famous for her at-homes.”
“I’m not sure that’s a good idea. I’ve heard it’s nothing but tittle-tattle,” the marquess said.
“Harry would do anything for me,” he said. “As I recall, his mother is fond of Angeline. I’ll see if I can pull in Bellingham. He’s got more influence than anyone, except for you.”
“Hah. But I agree. Bellingham is a brilliant politician. Ruthless son of a bitch, but he’s loyal to those he respects. I’ve half a mind to start straightaway, but that would only raise questions.”
“Agreed,” Colin said. “After the house party, we can get support from friends. By the time the season begins, we will hopefully clear her name. Then we’ll see the bastard drummed out of every club and blacken his name.”
The marquess narrowed his eyes. “No offense, but why are you so hell bent on this mission? The two of you have never been on the best of terms.”
“It’s a point of honor,” he said. “And Brentmoor has none.”
Colin and his father returned to the drawing room. When Colin saw Angeline putting away the chess pieces, he poured himself a brandy and waited for her to finish before approaching her. He needed to speak to her about Sommerall and ensure she knew what to expect. It had become a daily journey for them, but he had to be realistic about the time they were spending there. As much as he enjoyed her company and the privacy Sommerall afforded them, he had to think about her first and foremost. She’d been through hell, and the last thing they both needed was for their families to discover that they were spending time at Sommerall when there was nothing more they could do until and unless the marquess granted the property to Colin.
After she put the game away, he made himself wait for a moment so that he wouldn’t appear so anxious. That was a very real issue for them. They had to be careful and make sure that they were not inadvertently creating expectations with their families.
He caught her eye, and then he walked over to the window seat that the twins and Penny had recently vacated. He swirled his brandy and stretched out his legs. A few minutes later, Angeline stopped to look at Margaret’s needlework. Obviously she was commenting about it. He took a slow drink of brandy and waited. Not long after, she joined him on the window seat. “I assume you wish to speak to me,” she said.
“Clever of you, but I’m not surprised.”
“Do you wish to play backgammon?”
“No, I wish to talk without distractions.”
She frowned. “This sounds ominous.”
“It isn’t, but we have no more business at Sommerall.”
“What do you mean? There is much work to be done. It needs new carpets, new shutters, updated furnishings, painting, paper hangings, and a new runner for the stairs.”
“I’ve no doubt that all you’ve mentioned needs attention,” he said, “but I cannot spend a farthing on a property that I do not own and may never own. We have reached the limits of what can be done.”
She looked at her clasped hands in her lap. “Well, I am disappointed, but I ought to have seen this coming. I’ve known all along about your father’s decree. I still think he ought to cede the property to you, but I know it is none of my affair.”
“I appreciate all that you’ve done so far, Angeline. I enjoyed your company there, but we will simply have to find other ways to talk about our engagement.”
“We will have almost no privacy,” she said. “If we go for a walk, the others will join us. If we decide to ride, everyone else will decide to come along. If we play a game indoors, others will stop to watch and comment. Even now we must speak under our breath so that no one hears us.”
“We are fortunate to have had time alone. Now we must become inventive without appearing furtive.”
“How are we to do that?”
“We have to rise very early. I’m no lark, but we will arrange to meet at six o’clock in the morning. It is the only time we can ensure privacy.”
“It is better than nothing,” she said. “I am disappointed about Sommerall. There is so much I wanted to accomplish there.”
“Do you want to meet tomorrow?” he asked.
“Yes, but where?” she said. “Never mind. I forgot Penny asked to stay with me tonight.”
“Why does she want to sleep with you?”
“She likes to be near me. It started after we returned from Paris. She has begun to relax, now that she knows we will not leave England again, but when she grows anxious, she wants to sleep near me.”
“Day after tomorrow, then, at six o’clock. No one will stir at that hour. I’ll meet you at the back door. Then we’ll walk out together.”
“It feels as if we’re sneaking off,” she said.
“Don’t think of it that way,” he said. “We are just seeking privacy to talk.”
After breakfast the next morning, the marquess turned to Colin. “You are not planning to journey to Sommerall today, are you?”
“No, I believe we have gone as far as we can at this point.”
“I have a business issue I wish to discuss with you. Meet me in my study in a quarter of an hour,” the marquess said.
“I will,” Colin said. He wasn’t sure what his father wanted, but he’d find out soon enough.
“We have yet to see your sketches, Angeline,” Margaret said. “You must show us your plans.”
“They are not really plans. The sketches are rather whimsical and impractical.” She bit her lip.
Colin remembered her excitement and felt a bit badly about it.
Everyone rose and started filing out, but Colin held back with Angeline. “I wish we could spend time alone, but I have a duty.”
“I’ll take the girls and Hercules for a walk. We might as well enjoy the sunshine while it lasts,” Angeline said.
Colin briefly touched her hand. “Perhaps we can ride this afternoon if you wish.”
“I would be delighted,” she said.
He hoped that they would not be shadowed by everyone else, but he resigned himself to the fact that their ride would likely be a group activity. They couldn’t even go off by themselves without raising suspicion about their relationship. He wanted to keep it as private as possible, but it was far more difficult now that they no longer had Sommerall as their refuge.
Fifteen minutes later, Colin walked into his father’s study and closed the door.
“Be seated,” the marquess said.
“I expect you wish to discuss who we should contact to gain support for Angeline.”
“Not at this time,” he said. “Faraday wishes to see Sommerall again. He has another prospect in mind, but he wants to look over Sommerall once more. I plan to meet him there in one hour, and I want you to attend.”
Colin gripped the arms of the chair. “I don’t see the point in my presence. I have nothing to add. My wishes haven’t changed, and I know yours have not changed, either.”
“I want you to see it from his perspective.”
“Why?”
“I have my reasons. I requested Ames to have the carriage ready. We will depart now.”
He almost refused, but his father had something up his sleeve. Colin nodded and followed his father to the carriage.
The marquess walked about the ground floor and headed into the anteroom. “It’s immaculate, but the carpet is faded badly.”
“The shutters were left open,” Colin said. “The ones in the breakfast parlor are also faded.”
“Otherwise, the room is immaculate.”
“Angeline directed Agnes to clean all the rooms.”
“I mentioned to Margaret that the scullery maid ought to be promoted.” He tramped into the breakfast parlor. “I see what you mean about the rugs.”
“I imagine the tenants might want them,” Colin said. “There are also crates of items that are of no use to us. They are stored properly in the attic. I imagine the servants and the tenants might make use of them.”
“I’m surprised you thought of it,” the marquess said.
“It was Angeline’s suggestion.”
The marquess wandered into the study. “Another faded rug.” He walked to the desk. “I forgot all about this inkstand. Clever design.”
“You should take it,” Colin said.
The marquess shook his head. “I think not.”
Colin supposed his father associated it with his first marriage.
“Do you want to survey the kitchen? It’s in good working order according to the maid, Agnes.”
“God, no. Why would I care about it?”
“Faraday might.”
“Hopefully he won’t think of it. Let’s have a look upstairs.”
Colin took him into the drawing room. “Angeline said it needs something. I think she called it paperings or some such.”
“Don’t look to me for help,” the marquess said. “The ceiling is in good order. The carpet is in decent shape here.”
“That’s because the shutters were closed in here,” Colin said.
“Let’s see the bedchambers,” the marquess said.
He walked into the second one. “My old shaving mirror. I used to put a dab of soap on your cheek when you watched the valet shave me. You would use your finger like a razor.”
Colin huffed. “I remember.”
The marquess sighed. “It was long ago.” He gazed about the room and walked to the connecting door. Then he paused. “Is it in good order?”
“Yes.” His father evidently did not want to walk into his mother’s room. “There is nothing of a personal nature in there—or in any of the other chambers.”
The marquess walked out into the corridor, and then he paused at the closed door of the nursery. He started to reach for the door and dropped his hand. “Did you go inside?”
He clenched his jaw. “Yes, but I do not advise it.”
The marquess inhaled. Then he opened the door, strode inside, and halted abruptly.
Colin swallowed hard. They’d forgotten to cover the cradle.
“Ah, hell.” His father took out a handkerchief and blotted his eyes.
Colin set his hand on his father’s shoulder. He could feel his father shaking.
The marquess blew his nose and exhaled. “After all these years, I didn’t expect it would still have the power to wound me.”
“I understand,” Colin said.
“I’ve seen enough. Faraday can explore on his own when he arrives.”
They went downstairs and waited more than an hour in the study.
“I expect he isn’t interested enough,” the marquess said. “We might as well depart.”
Colin pulled the drapes closed over the window. They walked out into the great hall just as the clatter of wheels and horse hooves sounded.
“Seems he saw fit to make an appearance.” The marquess folded his handkerchief and put it away.
The knocker rapped. “I’ll see him in,” Colin said.
He expected a vulgar bumped up chit, but the man before him was young and well dressed. Faraday was clearly a gentleman.
“Please come in,” he said. “I’m Ravenshire.”
The marquess met him. “Faraday.”
“I beg your pardon,” Faraday said. “I was delayed by the unexpected arrival of the doctor. My wife is in expectation of a happy event, and I grew concerned when she complained of pains, but the doctor said it wasn’t unusual. It is too early…Well, that’s probably more than you wanted to know, but I do apologize for the delay. First-time father jitters.”
“I understand,” the marquess said, walking through the hall again. “I’ll leave you to have a look over the house again. The study is just off that corridor,” he said, pointing. “Meet my son and me there when you’re done.”
Faraday bowed and went off to explore.
Colin sat in a chair before the desk. His father took the chair beside him. “Faraday is having trouble making up his mind. I suggested he bring his wife this time. Women always know what they want, but obviously she wasn’t well enough to attend him.”
“The second visit probably means he will choose this one over the other,” Colin said.
“We shall see,” the marquess said. “Of course, you still have time to choose a bride and make the property yours.”
Colin said nothing, but he was dispirited. In a short time, he’d become attached to Sommerall. He would probably always associate the time he’d spent here with Angeline. He wished that they could spend one more day here, but they couldn’t. It had ended all too soon.
Feeling restless, he rose and walked over to the tall bookshelves, but he wasn’t in the mood to read.
“You are welcome to any that interest you,” the marquess said.
“I’ll look them over before Faraday takes possession.”
“It’s not an inevitable conclusion,” the marquess said.
Colin figured the man had already decided to make the purchase and was only having one more look before making his decision. Then he would have to either persuade Angeline to marry him or his father would sell the property when the six weeks were up.
Fifteen minutes later, he rose again, walked to the window, and nudged the drapes open. It was a clear day, but he couldn’t see the mausoleum from this vantage point.
Footsteps alerted him. He turned as Faraday stepped inside and bowed.
The marquess rose. “Well, have you decided?”
Colin’s heart raced, knowing what was to come, but he held his breath anyway.
“I’ll have one more look at the other property,” Faraday said. “You will have my decision soon.” He paused and said, “I understand that it will not be available for six weeks.”
The marquess cleared his throat. “Very well, Faraday. I hope this is the last delay.”
“Yes, my lord. I just want to make sure.” He paused and said, “There’s a cradle in the nursery.”
“I would like to take it and the rocker,” Colin said.
His father arched his brows.
Colin had surprised even himself. He’d made the request without a thought, but the rocker and the cradle now made sense. It was a tangible link to his mother, and the only one he would ever have.
“I’ll see myself out,” Faraday said. “Thank you for your patience.”
After he left, the marquess frowned. “What the devil are you going to do with a rocker and cradle?”
“I want to keep them for the day I start a family,” he said.
“When might that illustrious day be?”
“I don’t know.” But it would not be long. Otherwise, he stood to lose all.
“It appears no one can make decisions today,” the marquess said. “However, I can. Come with me to your mother’s resting place. I haven’t been in some time.”
The fallen autumn leaves crunched beneath their boots. The wind was up, and his father’s thinning hair blew about after they both removed their hats. “Your mother was a beautiful lady inside and out,” he said. “I fell madly in love with Elizabeth, and I was terrified because I had a competitor for her hand.”
Colin regarded his father curiously. “What happened?”
“I tried flowers, sweetmeats, and poetry. She remained unimpressed until one day I found a kitten. When I called on her, I feared the cat had stolen her affections from me. She laughed when I admitted it. She loved that kitten.”
“How did you win her?” Colin said.
“I told her the truth,” he said. “That I couldn’t sleep or eat, and I thought about her all the time. Then I told her that I didn’t have any pretty words, but I loved her so much it hurt to think of l-losing her.” His father’s voice broke. “I did anyway.”
Colin put his arm around his father’s shoulder. “I imagine you were very happy when you married.”
“Oh, yes. One day the kitten got out somehow, and I thought I’d never be able to console her. Not long after, she discovered that she was expecting—you. We were overjoyed. I thought I’d go mad while she labored to bring you into the world. Your grandfather, rest his soul, plied me with entirely too much brandy.”
He smiled a little. “I remember Grandfather well.”
“All I got for it was the devil of a head, but when I finally got to see her, I was so relieved. There you were, a wrinkled, red, squalling infant. I was afraid to hold you, but she insisted.
“It was a happy time. You were a healthy boy. She used to sit in that rocker in the nursery in a patch of sun and sing to you. I was so proud of you. I used to show you off to the tenants, the vicar, and all the parishioners. Elizabeth said I embarrassed her.”
Colin looked at his father wonderingly. This was a side of him that he’d never imagined.
“Elizabeth had two miscarriages afterward, and her health declined. She wanted another babe, but I was afraid and took care not to let it happen. She was determined, and we laughed afterward that she’d seduced me. Six months later, she passed away while giving birth to a little girl so tiny she could not have thrived. The babe was…buried with her.”
Colin briefly closed his eyes. “You must have been wild with grief.”
“Your grandmother had passed the year before, but your grandfather came to collect us both. I remember you cried and cried for your mother. It broke my heart.”
“I used to pray for a miracle that she would come home,” Colin said.
He sighed. “Life goes on, son. You were healthy and inquisitive. We spent a great deal of time together. You would sit on my lap while I read to you.”
“I remember,” Colin said. “The History of Little Goody Two-Shoes.”
“You made me read it over and over again. I was tempted to burn it, but I saved it for the day you have brats. I hope they make you read that book repeatedly.”
Colin laughed.
“When it was time to send you to school, I didn’t want to leave you at Eton, but I knew I had to do it. Two years later, I met Margaret’s father. He was in trade of all sorts and had pots of money. One day, the wily man let me see his daughter. I was smitten immediately.” He sighed. “I felt guilty for having feelings for Margaret. It felt as if I were betraying your mother, but you were at school, and I was lost until I met her.”
Colin could hear the melancholy in his father’s voice.
“It was an arranged marriage and hard for Margaret. Her father knew he was ill, and he wanted her to be safe and secure. Back then, she was shy and terrified of living in our world. I vowed then that I would earn her affections, but as it turned out, she earned mine.”
The marquess bowed his head. “I will love you until the end of time, Elizabeth.”
Colin’s eyes burned. He turned away and took out his handkerchief.
The marquess clapped his shoulder. “It’s time to return.”
Colin regarded his father. “Thank you for sharing memories of my mother. It helps.”
That afternoon, Colin managed to evade a group outing and took Angeline to the stables where he chose a mare for her. “We’ll only trot,” he said. “Those side saddles are dangerous. On second thought, I’ll take you up in front of me on Aries.”
“You know I have a good seat,” she said.
“Humor me. Your father will kill me if you fall.”
“Colin, no.”
“Yes, do as I say. Aries is waiting.”
Aries snorted as if he agreed.
The groom helped her up even as she continued to protest.
“Hush,” Colin said. “You’ll enjoy this.”
“I rather doubt it,” she said.
He walked the horse along the path.
“Colin, why even ride if we’re going along at a grandmother’s pace?”
He kissed her neck.
“Keep your eyes on the path,” she said, “or we’ll both fall off.”
“I’ll not let that happen. Hence the slow pace.” He didn’t mention the enticing feel of her bottom against his groin. “You can enjoy the scenery much better at a walk.”
“If I wanted to walk, I would use my legs,” she said.
He laughed. “Relax.”
“What else can I do?”
“That’s better,” he said. Lord, her soft bottom felt too damned good.
“Do you have a destination in mind?” she asked.
“Nothing in particular.”
“I don’t believe you,” she said.
“Just a few more minutes,” he said. Ahead, he saw a spot beneath one of the barren oaks. He halted the horse and slid off the saddle. Then he reached for her and let her slide down his torso.
“You did that on purpose,” she said.
“Did what?” he said, pulling off the rolled blanket.
“If you’re thinking of rubbing down Aries, you are wasting your time. He’s probably put out that you forced him to a sedate walk.”
Aries snorted again and cropped the grass.
Colin took her hand. “Come along.”
“Where?” she said in a snippy tone.
He liked it when she got feisty. “Trust me.”
“Hah!”
He spread the blanket and pulled her down onto it with him.
“Why do I suspect you are scheming?”
“Because you’re smart.”
“If I were smart, I would walk back to the house.”
“Don’t be a spoilsport.” He lay on his side and propped himself up with his hand. “Relax.”
She sat on the blanket and wrapped her arms around her shins. “I know what you’re thinking,” she said, “but it will not happen.”
“What do you think will happen?”
“You want to kiss me.”
“Will you let me?”
When she didn’t answer immediately, his hopes leaped in his chest. “Do you want to kiss me?”
“What I want and what I should do are two different things.” She looked at him. “What happened with Faraday?”
“He’s trying to decide between Sommerall and another property.”
“What is he like, this Faraday?” she asked.
“He’s a gentleman. Arrived rather late.” He told her about Faraday’s wife.
“Has she seen the house?”
“Apparently not. My father thinks she would make up her mind quickly one way or the other, but she obviously wasn’t feeling well enough to join him.”
“So it ended up to be a waste of time,” she said.
“No. My father asked me to accompany him to my mother’s mausoleum. He told me quite a bit about her.” When he told her the rest, she sighed.
“What?” he said.
“It must be wonderful to be so in love.”
She sounded wistful. Angeline wanted hearts and flowers, after all. He supposed most women did hope for love and happily-ever-after. It would be so much easier if she only wanted to repair her reputation and see her sister make her debut in the spring.
“I’m glad your father told you about his relationship with your mother. You were so young, but now you know more about her. I’m glad you found out they were happy.”
“It helps.” He told her about how his father had met Margaret.
“She has been good for him. He would be lonely without her and the girls.” Angeline took off her jaunty little hat and lay on her side to face him. “What will you do if Mr. Faraday makes the offer in six weeks?”
Her words felt like a kick in the gut. “There is nothing I can do unless you decide to make an honest man out of me before then.” He’d spoken in a joking manner, but his nerves were on edge.
“We have three weeks to make that decision—well, two and one-half weeks, I suppose.”
He didn’t have much time. After meeting Faraday, the threat of losing Sommerall had become all too real. What could he do to persuade her? Desperation caught hold of him like talons. He took a deep breath and forced himself to ask the question. “Are you having doubts?”
She shrugged one shoulder, the way she’d done the first night he’d seen her at Deerfield. “I suppose it is only natural for us to have doubts under the circumstances.”
Given her skittishness, he feared she would decide that she couldn’t marry him, even to ensure her sister’s debut. If that happened, he would lose Sommerall.
“Do you like living in London?” she asked.
“I suppose. Harry is always up for a lark.” He remembered his friend’s reaction to the actress upon seeing her in his rooms and grinned.
Angeline huffed. “He’s like a little boy, always wanting to pour spirits in the punch bowl.”
“Do not let Harry fool you. He may like a lark now and then, but no man crosses him and walks away unscathed.”
“I’ve never seen that side of him,” she said.
“Few do.” Colin grinned. “Did I tell you he almost drowned last year?”
“That’s horrible. Why are you smiling about it?”
“We were foxed from one too many bottles at Vauxhall, and Harry was supposed to pay the waterman to take us across. My purse was empty from paying for all the bottles, but Harry discovered he had pockets to let. Somehow or another, he fell into the Thames. I jumped in to save him, and then another fellow dived in to help. That’s how I met Bellingham.”
She laughed. “That’s awful.”
“Good memories,” he said, smiling.
“Men,” she said, rolling her eyes.
He smiled. “I had a feeling you wouldn’t appreciate it.”
She regarded him with an intense expression. “Was there a reason you brought me here?”
“Yes.” He leaned over and kissed her lightly on the lips, and then with more intention. When she opened for his tongue, he grew aroused and thought at least in this they would be more than compatible. He cupped her face, and for a rash moment, he considered lying and telling her he loved her. With a deep breath, he started to form the words, but she spoke first.
“I’m reluctant to leave, but we had better return.” She sat up and pinned her silly hat to her hair. He helped her up. Say the words. Lie to her. Make her believe you. His breathing was too fast and he couldn’t force the words out.
“Colin, what is it?”
He met her gaze and the guilt got hold of him again. “It’s nothing.” He rolled the blanket. Then he mounted Aries and gave her a hand up in front of him. He kept his eyes on the path, but the entire time he was aware of her scent, her sweet bottom, and her trust in him. She deserved better, and he wasn’t sure how he could convince her to marry him. He needed to prepare himself mentally first. Now was not the right time, but he didn’t have much time left.
After leaving Aries in the care of a groom, Colin offered his arm to Angeline and escorted her along the path. He knew what he had to do, but his chest tightened. The devil. Surely there was another way to ensure she would marry him, but he’d racked his brain and could not think of an honorable way.
When they walked inside Deerfield, Wycoff and his father were standing in the hall in muddy boots as usual. The marquess was scowling at Bianca and Bernadette.
Colin noticed tear tracks on his sisters’ faces and the dog sitting there lolling his tongue. “I take it something is amiss.”
Bernadette sniffed. “Papa means to give Hercules away to one of the tenants.”
“Hercules didn’t mean to have an accident in the water closet.” Bianca dabbed a handkerchief at her eyes. “H-he is still a puppy.”
“Thus far, he has ruined a pair of boots, several legs on the tables, and to top it all off, he breaks wind,” the marquess said gruffly.
Colin burst out laughing.
Angeline clapped her hand over her mouth, but her shoulders were shaking.
Margaret hurried down the stairs. “What is all this commotion about?”
“Papa is making Hercules an orphan,” Bianca said.
“Oh, for pity’s sake,” the marquess said. “I rue the day that dog set foot in our house. Enough is enough. Margaret, I know you side with the girls about the dog, but he is damaging our home and is uncouth.”
“Lord Chadwick,” Angeline said. “Hercules is a smart dog. The girls have already taught him how to shake hands. He only needs to be trained properly. I will gladly help the girls with his training.”
“You know how to train dogs?” Colin said.
She nodded. “I had a dog, but he died before we left for Paris.”
Colin met his father’s gaze and then looked at his sisters. “If you want to keep Hercules, you should demonstrate to our father that you will teach him how to behave.”
“You must be consistent,” Angeline said. “When he does well, reward him. That is how he will learn.”
“Papa, will you give us another chance with Hercules?” Bianca said. “We promise to train him.”
“I don’t know,” the marquess said.
Margaret walked over to her husband and patted his arm. “Perhaps we could train you to remove your muddy boots before you walk in the house.”
Colin shared a smile with Angeline and then he turned to his sisters. “You might thank Angeline,” he said.
They put their arms around her. “Thank you,” they said in unison.
The marquess sat on a bench in the great hall and removed his muddy boots. The marble floor was a mess.
Margaret held her hands up as if beseeching a higher power. “I give up.”
Late that night in bed, the marquess sighed. “You have never failed to make me a happy man, Margaret.”
“You are a lusty man,” she said, laughing.
He kissed his wife gently. “I do love you, my dear.”
“And I you.” She sighed. “What do you make of Colin and Angeline?”
“What do you mean? They haven’t killed each other. We’re safe from violence.” He chuckled.
“Chadwick, you know very well what I mean. He took her up on the horse to keep her safe. I find that very chivalrous.”
“For a married woman, you are remarkably na?ve, my dear.”
“What do you mean?” she said.
“Chivalry had nothing to do with his decision. No doubt my son was enjoying the close proximity of the lovely Angeline.”
“I’ve seen the way he looks at her when he thinks no one is noticing,” Margaret said.
“He’s a man, Margaret. Put a curvaceous beauty in front of a male, he will look.”
“Chadwick, you had better not look at any other woman or you will sleep in one of the guest rooms.”
“But I have no reason to look elsewhere when I have my own beautiful, curvaceous wife close at hand.”
“Good answer.” Margaret sighed again. “The girls are so excited about their debut next spring. It is all they talk about. Even sweet Penny is enthused.”
“I fear society is not prepared for our twins. No doubt they will create mayhem wherever they go as they’re wont to do.”
“Be serious, dear. I worry that our efforts to champion Angeline will not succeed.”
“You have not said anything to the duchess, have you?”
“No, dear, I would never presume to do so. If it does not work, it would be very hard on our girls as well as Penny. I know Angeline is worried on her sister’s behalf.”
“Margaret, we must leave this to Angeline and my son. If it is meant to be, it will be.”
She snorted inelegantly. “I should have known better than to consult you. Do you think I will leave this up to Providence?”
“My dear, you are determined to play matchmaker, but I suspect Lady Angeline is far too practical to fall for our roguish son. Any woman with half a brain would avoid him.”
“Chadwick, he is our son. You ought to be ashamed.”
“I am, Margaret. Ashamed that I didn’t curb him years ago. You know I could have done it by withholding his funds, but I didn’t. Something must be done. I am taking care of it.”
“Chadwick, please be kind to him. He is our only son.”
He cupped his wife’s cheek. “That is what I love about you, Margaret. You champion everyone, including our rakehell son.”
“Underneath his rakish exterior, he is a good man. He only needs a good woman to help him see it.”
“You are remarkably na?ve, Margaret, but I love you for it, and now will you let me love you again?”
She opened her arms to him, the way she’d done the first night of their marriage, and he knew that he was twice blessed.