Read What a Reckless Rogue Needs for Free Online Page B

only traps it.”
    “Angeline—”
    “No, I refuse to listen to your arguments. You’ll catch your death out here. You must return to the house immediately.”
    “It would be ungentlemanly of me to make you stand in the cold,” he said. Truthfully, the brisk wind was more than a little uncomfortable, but he’d be damned before he admitted it.
    “Your nose is red,” she said.
    A slow smile tugged at his mouth. “So is yours.”
    When she took his arm, he matched his pace to her slower one. They strode past the folly, and a gust of wind blasted them. He couldn’t completely hide his shiver and regretted leaving behind his outerwear now. Next time he would just throw something into the fire. Of course, he hoped there wouldn’t be a next time, but he was rather pessimistic about those chances.
    She pushed her bonnet ribbons out of her face. “Something is clearly wrong. What happened?”
    “I do not wish to discuss it.” Especially with you .
    “It might help to talk,” she said. “Sometimes just airing your grievances helps you see matters more clearly.”
    Oh, good Lord. The one thing that drove him to drink was a woman who wanted to talk about feelings. But he knew enough about women to realize she wouldn’t leave it alone. “My father and I had a difference of opinion.” That is all you need to know.
    “You quarreled,” she said.
    Her persistence irritated him. “You need not concern yourself.”
    “Is this about Sommerall?” she asked.
    He halted. “How did you know?” he demanded.
    She lifted her chin. “If you wish me to answer, you will avoid using a harsh tone.”
    “I beg your pardon,” he said. Damnation. He did not want her poking into his affairs.
    “It is quite obvious that you’ve had a nasty shock.”
    This was an unfamiliar side of her, but to be fair, she was no stranger to difficulty. “I’ll sort it out.” But he was far from confident.
    “I overheard my father mention that someone was interested in purchasing Sommerall,” Angeline said. “It has been unoccupied for many years.”
    “I beg your pardon, but this is not a matter I wish to discuss.” Leave me alone.
    “Oh, my stars. You do not want the marquess to sell.”
    “Angeline—”
    “That is why you’re so angry,” she said.
    He halted. “Of course I’m furious. My mother is laid to rest there.”
    “Surely you can persuade your father not to sell. I would think he would cede the property to you.”
    He shook his head and started walking again. “He will—if I do his bidding.” They skirted around the thick, gnarled roots of an old oak. “I want the property, but that is insufficient for my father.”
    “What did you propose?” she asked.
    “To take care of all needed renovations, but we could not agree on the terms.”
    “I don’t understand. What is it that your father wants?”
    “Proof that I’ll honor my commitment.” His father’s lack of trust burned deep.
    “The only way to prove you will abide by your obligation is to allow you to begin,” she said. “I fail to understand why this is a problem.”
    He glanced at her. “My father proposed a different way for me to demonstrate responsibility.”
    “What is it? Clearly you find it abhorrent.”
    He laughed without mirth. “Marriage.” He should have kept that between his teeth, but his head ached with the anger still infusing his blood.
    She stopped him. “That is ludicrous,” she said in an outraged tone. “Forgive me, but your father goes too far.”
    “I share the sentiment, but it matters not.” His breath misted in the cold wind. “My father owns the property and can do what he wants.” His father intended to manipulate him like a marionette.
    “Marriage does not assure responsibility. We both could name dozens of irresponsible people who are married,” she said. “The king, for example.”
    “My father’s demands are unreasonable. Where am I to find a bride in the middle of the countryside?” he said. “It’s