Free What a Reckless Rogue Needs by Vicky Dreiling Page A

compliment. You are unconventional, and a rarity among women because of it.”
    “You cannot be unaware of what that cost me.”
    He closed the distance between them. “I have every confidence you can rise above it,” he said under his breath.
    A complimentary sentiment, but it would change nothing.
    When he searched her face, she was drawn to his golden brown eyes and felt the pull of his will. She wet her dry lips and only succeeded in drawing his gaze to her mouth. The music and the voices in the drawing room receded. She felt as if he were mesmerizing her. When his thick black lashes lowered to her breasts, she felt as if he’d managed to touch her with his gaze. Her heart hammered in her chest, and she felt breathless.
    This was madness. She was caught up in a rake’s seductive game in a drawing room where both of their families and the local vicar all sat in plain view. She had to break this spell he’d cast over her. God help her, she could not afford this madness, and yet, when he took her arm, she acquiesced because something inside of her yearned to be closer to him, to let the masculine scents of sandalwood and something unique to him envelope her. In that moment, she had more than an inkling of what she would be giving up if she chose independence. But she knew it would be highly unlikely she would have a choice. She would revel in this stolen moment and allow herself the pleasure of Colin’s escort.
    He led her to the window seat and lowered his head. “Unless something changes in the next few days, I’ll likely depart.”
    “Why?” she said.
    He shook his head. “I can’t bear to stay and watch my father sell Sommerall. It’s better if I go before matters erupt. I have my faults, Angeline, but I won’t make a scene or disrupt the house party. I never should have come in the first place.” He blew out his breath. “I knew it would come to this, but I held out hope anyway.”
    “No,” she said under her breath. “You mustn’t give up.”
    “He said no more than once. I won’t beg, Angeline. It is an insult to me, and frankly, if he does sell Sommerall, I won’t be returning again. I can’t bear it.”
    “But what of your family?”
    “I don’t know. I just know that I won’t let any man, not even my father, dictate my life.”
    “I beg you to reconsider. You will regret not fighting for what is rightfully yours and for your family.”
    “Thank you for agreeing to help me. I’ll slip out now.”
    When he strode out of the room, she was tempted to follow and encourage him. But to what end? All she had were empty words, and she knew firsthand there was no comfort in them. She couldn’t change yesterday, but she could attempt to influence the marquess through Margaret. Yes, she did want to help him transform Sommerall because it excited her, but she also felt badly for Colin, even though she probably shouldn’t. She would not care under any other circumstances, but his mother was buried at Sommerall. It clearly wounded him to think of strangers possessing the land where she was laid to rest.
    Angeline approached Margaret and took her aside. “I understand the marquess is hesitant to allow Colin to make a survey of the interior of Sommerall House. You know that I have some expertise, and it occurred to me that it would not be in anyone’s best interest if it was ignored much longer.”
    “To be honest, I have worried about it, too,” Margaret said. “He can’t bear to return there. I know it would be very distressing for him, but you are right. Something needs to be done.”
    “There is a catch,” Angeline said.
    Margaret rolled her eyes. “Oh, yes. Chadwick is convinced he can reform Colin by forcing him to marry. I asked him if he thought I could conjure up a bride. He laughed, and then I got angry. What foolishness.”
    “If there is a structural defect such as with the chimney or the roof, the damage could potentially cost a fortune,” Angeline said. “The house has been