Part 33 (1/2)
Colin stood. ”Margaret is waving from the folly. Shall we catch up to them?”
This time Colin let the girls walk ahead and lagged behind with Angeline. ”It seems a long time since we last had a conversation.”
”I think we are all grateful to be out of doors.”
”I don't suppose you have any news,” he said.
”Not yet.” She paused. ”Colin, are you sure about the engagement? There are only three days left. We do not have to rush.”
He couldn't tell her that he dared not wait any longer for fear of losing Sommerall.
Unlike him, Angeline would do anything for her family. She would marry to make her parents and her sister happy. When he thought about the way he'd ignored his own family, he was ashamed. He'd been a selfish man.
He couldn't change all the years he'd sullenly come home for Christmas. Without fail, he'd resented attending the annual house party and often left early to rake, drink, and gamble in London. He'd preferred the company of acquaintances he didn't care about over the members of his own family. But he could change for the better and start afresh. He could make amends and be there for his father, stepmother, and sisters. But there was someone else who needed him, someone he'd mistreated.
Since the day Angeline had told him what Brentmoor had done to her and her family, he'd seen himself as the good man, the one who would never hurt her. But he'd been a cad. He'd actually told her he wouldn't abandon her if she found herself with child. Now he felt the shame bone-deep. She was the daughter of his father's best friend, and he'd bedded her, without offering a single tender word. She deserved better.
Guilt would not help either of them, but he could help her reclaim her life and her rightful place in society. It would not be a simple matter, but for once in his life he would give to someone he cared about without expecting something in return.
Three days later It had rained twice more, and now the grounds were saturated, and the paths were muddy. The roads were as well. The marquess and duke continued to trudge through mud, and Colin was so wild to get out of doors that he accompanied them one day. He attempted to shoot a pheasant and ended up shooting into mud that splattered in his hair and all over his clothes. He returned to the house, preferring confinement in a two-hundred-room mansion to mud.
This particular morning, he played billiards, though it wasn't much fun with no compet.i.tion. His mood perked up when Angeline darted inside, until she closed the door.
”You had better open the door,” he said.
”Colin, I dare not open the door.”
His heart thudded in his chest. ”You have news?” Was he going to be a father? Was he ready for such a step?
”There were no consequences,” she whispered.
He almost sagged with relief. ”That is good news.”
She nodded, but she didn't look happy about it.
He took her hands. ”Were you hoping for a baby?”
She shrugged. ”We are fortunate to escape the consequences.”
”It would be better to get such news after marriage.” He paused. ”Tonight, in the drawing room, I will make the announcement.”
She wet her lips. ”Yes.”
”Are you afraid?”
”I suppose everyone is a bit anxious before a life-changing event.”
”I'm glad about the engagement, Angeline. Our parents will be as well.”
”I had better return to the drawing room before someone discovers me here.”
”You are miserable doing needlework?”
”I'm going mad,” she said, leaning against the door.
”Angeline, no one is forcing you. If you don't wish to do needlework, read a book.”
”I will feel guilty, because everyone else is mending or embroidering handkerchiefs or darning stockings. The mending does need to be taken care of.”
”Perhaps you could read to everyone else while they mend or embroider,” he said.
”You're brilliant. Margaret has a copy of Sense and Sensibility. I could read it to them.”
”Well, it's hardly a brilliant suggestion, but if it pleases you, it pleases me.”
She stepped closer to him. ”I miss you.”
As much as he would love to kiss her, he didn't want someone to catch them alone behind a closed door. It might create problems between their families, and he wanted the announcement to be void of any possible scandal. ”You had better return, Angeline. It would not do if we were caught alone in here.”
She nodded. ”I promised to tell you.”
Someone knocked on the door. He winced.
I'm sorry, she mouthed.
He opened the door. Penelope stood there.
”I beg your pardon,” Penny said. ”Angeline, will you come with me to the drawing room?”
”Yes, of course,” Angeline said. ”I just needed to tell Colin something I remembered about Sommerall.”
Penny regarded him with a slight frown. ”Come, Sister. Mama will worry if you are gone too long.”
”Angeline,” Penny said as they walked through the great hall. ”Mama sent me to find you when you did not immediately return to the drawing room.”
”Mama is overly finicky.” She wished her mother would not hover.
”You were expected to attend. Everyone noticed you were gone.”
”I had every intention of returning to the drawing room.” Where else could she go when the grounds were soaked and muddy?
”You will be cautious, will you not?”
Penny's question made her heart race. ”About what, dearest?”
”You should not have gone to the billiard room.”
Relief filled her. ”Oh, you worry for nothing.”
”You are spending a great deal of time with him.”