"Not at all," the d.u.c.h.ess said. "The exercise is good for their health. Do remember your bonnets and wraps, girls."

The twins and Penny retreated. High-pitched giggles echoed outside the drawing room and eventually dissipated.

"Angeline, do you wish to join them?" the marchioness asked.

"I think I shall take my sketchbook and walk," she said. "The scenery is so spectacular this time of year."

After she quit the room, the marchioness sighed. "She is better now, but we shall endeavor to enliven her spirits with walks, drawing, and conversation."

"She is restless," the d.u.c.h.ess said. "When she begged me to allow her to make over the principle drawing room at Worthington Abbey, I could not deny her. She was excited, and we all saw her talent, but when it ended, she looked lost. Now she spends much of her time walking the grounds and drawing. I confess I worry."

"She will recover her high spirits," the marchioness said. "Angeline is strong, never forget that."

The d.u.c.h.ess set her dish of tea aside. "Hopefully we have weathered the worst."

"I do believe the scandal has already faded," the marchioness said.

The d.u.c.h.ess sighed. "It has faded because my daughter has not made an appearance in London society since breaking her engagement."

The marchioness set her own cup aside. "She is beautiful and the daughter of a duke. That and her marriage portion will pave the way."

"I'd always hoped she would make a brilliant match."

"I hope she finds love," the marchioness said.

"In our day, parents arranged the marriages," the d.u.c.h.ess said.

"Yes, my father wanted to elevate our family," the marchioness said. "I was frightened half to death."

"You were educated as a lady," the d.u.c.h.ess said.

"I learned the nuances from you, my dearest friend."

The d.u.c.h.ess smiled. "More important, you found happiness with your husband."

"I am blessed to have married a man I grew to love," the marchioness said. "I wish it for Angeline. She deserves the ultimate happiness."

"I agree, but I would fail my daughter if I did not council practicality," the d.u.c.h.ess said. "If she is fortunate, there will be affection, but you know my concerns."

"All will work out. I am sure of it."

"I received a letter from my son today," the d.u.c.h.ess said.

"I hope Lady Landale is well."

"My son's wife is nearing her confinement. I shall have a grandchild soon."

The marchioness leaned forward. "Why are you not rejoicing?"

"I dread telling Angeline when the baby is born."

"She will be happy for her brother and sister-in-law," the marchioness said.

"Yes, she will express outward happiness for her brother and his wife, but it is only natural to wish for one's own fulfillment. In her situation, she may find the news a reminder of her recent troubles and her lack of a husband."

"I cannot credit it," the marchioness said. "She is better off without that deceiver."

"I agree, but we want our daughters to find happiness in marriage."

"And our sons," the marchioness said, "though Colin is not my natural son. I wish that our relationship was not so...guarded."

"Nonsense, you did an admirable job, but he was eight years old when you married Chadwick. He spent much of his time at school, and you were ill for a long time after losing an infant. You had to regain your strength. Colin's life was no different than that of any other boy at Eton."

Margaret clasped her friend's hand. "You came to nurse and comfort me."

"You were rewarded with two lovely, spirited girls."

"I am blessed," the marchioness said. "I only wish those same blessings for all of our children." She sighed. "I do wish Colin and Angeline would form an attachment."

"It has been my dearest wish all these years," the d.u.c.h.ess said. "I suppose we were too obvious today."

Margaret laughed. "I fear so."

"It is so frustrating," the d.u.c.h.ess said. "It would be a brilliant match."

"I would council leaving the matter to Providence," the marchioness said, "but I suspect Chadwick has taken matters into his own hands."

"What do you mean?" the d.u.c.h.ess said.

"I saw Colin storm out of the house earlier, and when I confronted my husband, he said that he had everything under control. I'm sure he made a muddle of things. Chadwick is as stubborn as a mule, but I shall speak to him. If he presses too hard, I fear Colin will leave and never return."

"Surely he would not do such a thing," the d.u.c.h.ess said.

"If Chadwick goes too far, I fear a permanent break. I know that Colin has sowed wild oats, but I will never forgive myself if I do not intervene. I feel a responsibility."

"Be that as it may," the d.u.c.h.ess said, "there is only so much you can do."

"I have more than a little influence on Chadwick," she said. "He will listen to me."

"You are so amiable, Margaret," the d.u.c.h.ess said, "but you do have a backbone."

"No, I have an interest in seeing my family happy."

Chapter Three.

Angeline strode with great purpose through the woods. Once away from the confines of the drawing room, her lungs expanded, allowing her to really breathe. It was a ridiculous notion, but she felt liberated nevertheless.

The birch branches stretched out shadowy elongated limbs. With each gust of wind, the branches shed spectacular copper and gold leaves. She shaded her bonnet rim and hurried her step when she saw the folly up ahead. Usually follies were nothing more than ornamental curiosities, but this one formed a Palladian bridge across the stream. After reaching it, she leaned against the rail, opened her sketchbook where she'd placed her pencil, and started drawing. The angle, however, wasn't quite right. She decided to walk through the covered part and try from the other side of the bridge.

Heavy footsteps startled her.

When Colin emerged, she had to suppress a groan. She'd hoped to avoid him after sticking her nose in his affairs and revealing a bit about her own.

"Am I disturbing you?" he asked.

Of course he was, but she favored him with a brief smile. "You remembered your hat, coat, and gloves this time."

"One chill is enough for today." He closed the distance between them.

His height, easily over six feet, struck her anew. She knew he was fit; she'd seen the evidence when he'd chopped that huge limb with an ax. But how he managed it was beyond her, given the rumors about his rakeh.e.l.l exploits.

"I saw you hurrying along the path with your sketchbook and figured you would come to the bridge," he said.

She wondered what he wanted. "What made you so certain?"

"It is picturesque and therefore worthy of your best efforts."

"How would you know? Perhaps my best efforts aren't worthy at all," she said.

Naturally he laughed.

Her snippy barbs usually drove men away. Granted, men were not begging to court her. She winced, recalling the offensive way dozens of Frenchmen had treated her. She did not even want to know the rumors that must have precipitated their insulting entreaties.

"Do you not wish to capture this grand bridge? It will probably be here long after we are gone," Colin said.

"How utterly macabre." She drew a few lines for the bridge columns and shaded in the arches. His presence, however, interfered with her concentration. "Is there a reason you followed me?"

"Well, yes."

After making a few broad strokes, she glanced at him. "I cannot recollect you ever willingly seeking me out, other than the time you tricked me into standing under the mistletoe."

"You can't blame a fellow for trying to steal a kiss."

She rolled her eyes. "Colin, you want something. Spit it out."

He laughed. "Such language from a lady."

"Do try to recover your sensibilities. I've no smelling salts to revive you."

He grinned. "A gentleman in distress? The possibilities boggle the mind."

"Yours perhaps."

He laughed. "I heard you have a singular talent for renovations."

"I have some experience," she said. "Does this concern Sommerall?"

"Yes. I wish to approach my father again with a plan based on what needs to be done to make the house habitable. If you are amenable, I would welcome your a.s.sistance."

"You seem to have forgotten your father's decree that you must marry in order to take possession."

"Of course I haven't forgotten." He regarded her with a quizzical expression. "What about you? I would imagine your parents are urging you to wed."

Apparently, he was unaware of her damaged reputation, but she would not discuss that with him.

"My first task is to persuade him to let me determine what renovations are needed for the house. He's more likely to agree if you're involved."

"Perhaps your father has already looked into the condition of the property."

"To the best of my knowledge he has not returned to the house since my mother died."

The marquess might have finally decided to sell the property in part because there were too many sad memories attached to Sommerall, but that was many years ago. His decision had probably been far more practical. The chances of Colin leaving behind his London lightskirts and taking up residence at Sommerall were negligible. "I doubt offering my a.s.sistance will sway your father's decision," she said. "You cannot be unaware that men do not take a woman's opinion seriously."

"I take you seriously or I wouldn't have asked," he said.

"You asked because I'm the only qualified person available."

"Well, that, too," he said, grinning. "Do say you'll agree."

She narrowed her eyes. He was trying to charm her into doing his bidding. "Why should I help you?"

"Margaret said you took great pleasure in overseeing the renovations at Worthington Abbey. I thought you would enjoy lending your expertise."

"Your glib responses tell me you really do not care about returning Sommerall to its former stately beauty."

His smile faded. "If I did not care about the property, I wouldn't be here."

She didn't want to involve herself in his concerns. "Colin, we have never gotten along. We are here only because of our families. To be frank, you are asking a great deal of me, but I have no incentive to help you. Furthermore, I'm not certain it is wise for me to involve myself in this venture. Your father has by no means approved the idea."

"All I want for now is to make an inventory of the work that needs to be done. I think it is a reasonable plan that he will approve."

He was a rake with plenty of experience enticing women to do his bidding. Granted, she did not think he was even remotely attracted to her, but he'd already tried to charm her. She'd fallen for a charming rake once before, and she was wary of Colin. He would likely take advantage of her knowledge and probably abandon the project as soon as he grew bored. When that happened, she would feel the weight of responsibility because she'd gotten involved.

"You are reluctant," he said, "but I would appreciate any advice or a.s.sistance you're willing to give. I don't want the property to pa.s.s out of my family."

She remained unconvinced. "Were you concerned about Sommerall a fortnight ago?"

"A fortnight ago I'd no idea my father intended to sell."

"Do you plan to reside there?" She knew he wouldn't give up his carousing in London, but if he tried to lie, she meant to call him on it.

"Eventually I will take possession, but at the moment, my pressing concern is to keep my father from selling."