Read Online What a Reckless Rogue Needs by Vicky Dreiling - Free Book Online

and getting involved in his concerns could lead to trouble.
    She mustn’t fall for his emotional appeal. God help her, she’d done it once before. It had ruined her life and wounded her family. She clutched her sketchbook to her chest as if it were some sort of shield. Why was she even having second thoughts about helping him?
    Apparently, I’m the only one who cares.
    The truth dawned on her. He’d been embarrassed to ask for her help. Because they had never gotten along, he’d probably figured she would turn him down.
    His mother was buried at Sommerall, and so he’d made himself ask, because he had no other choice. She knew more than a little about having few choices.
    He thought no one cared.
    She turned and ran after him. “Colin, wait!”
    He strode onward, but she pumped her legs faster. By the time she caught up to him, she was so winded she could hardly speak. “I-I’m s-sorry.”
    His nostrils flared. “I do not want your sympathy.”
    She knew how it felt to be the object of pity. When she finally caught her breath, she said, “Forgive me for my callous response. I do care for your sake. If you still wish it, I will assist you to the best of my ability.”
    “Why? You clearly are suspicious of me.”
    Something hot welled up inside her. She swallowed hard, knowing she’d treated him as if he were the man who had betrayed her. “I beg your pardon. My suspicions were unfounded.”
    She could feel him looking at her and hoped he would ask no questions, because she still couldn’t speak about the events that made her grieve for her former carefree life.
    “You are not obliged,” he said, his voice rumbling. “No doubt you would prefer to occupy your time with something else.”
    “Such as tea and embroidery?” she said with a huff.
    He clasped his hands behind his back. “I suppose those are things ladies enjoy.”
    “It’s a dead bore if you want to know the truth.”
    He smiled a little. “Are you certain?”
    She met his gaze. “Yes, I’m certain.” She would much rather help him than stitch for hours, but that wasn’t the main reason. Regardless of what he’d done in the past, he deserved a second chance. God knew she’d give anything for one, but it was impossible.
    He flexed his gloved hands twice. “Thank you.”
    The gruff tone of his voice said far more than his words.
      
    While he did not return to the ancestral pile often, Colin knew his father’s habits well. The marquess adhered to the old adage that the early bird got the worm. Colin usually adhered to the mattress and pillow until the sun rose high in the sky. Nevertheless, he had requested Horace, his valet, to awaken him at the ungodly hour of six o’clock. Horace, being no more of a lark than his employer, grumbled as he shuffled into the room and opened the drapes. “God’s toenails,” Horace muttered as sunlight flooded the room.
    Colin groaned. “Go away, Horace.”
    “My lord, you requested that I awaken you for an early meeting.”
    “You are mistaken,” he mumbled as he flopped onto his stomach and pulled a pillow over his head.
    “No, my lord. You were quite clear last night that I should not allow you to go back to sleep.”
    “I rescind my order,” Colin muttered into the pillow.
    Horace hovered over him. “My lord, you said it was imperative that you meet your father early before church.”
    It was Sunday, the Lord’s day. Colin had forgotten. This was hardly a surprise, given that he had not set foot inside a church since his last visit home for Easter holiday. He knew if he did not catch his father early, he would have to wait until Monday. Colin did not want to delay. He must prove to his father that he was serious and worthy of the property.
    Grumbling under his breath, Colin condescended to allow his valet to shave and dress him for the day. Upon reaching his father’s study, Colin tapped the door lightly. “May I have a moment of your time?”
    The marquess signed a paper and glanced up