Page 9 of How to Ruin a Rake

Max nodded as if he knew all about rural farming. In some ways, he did, because as the heir to vast estates, he’d regularly been taken around his father’s lands. He’d never been encouraged to ask questions of his own, and the farmers were too intimidated by the presence of either his father’s land agent or the duke himself to answer him honestly anyway.

In his youth, he’d yearned for the opportunity to get truly involved, but it had never been allowed and, in the end, he’d taken his cues from his father and simply nodded and asked the blandest questions possible. His father wasn’t really interested in his tenants, as he expected his land agents to do their jobs. On the one occasion, when Max had dared to ask why half a village had cottages that needed fresh thatching, he’d been sent to his room and disciplined.

“There it is.” Lady Allegra pointed down the road. “On the left.”

Max let out a whistle as they approached the wreckage. “Good lord. It’s remarkable that we got out relatively unscathed.”

Mr. Lacock stopped the cart, and Max assisted Lady Allegra to the ground. She thanked him briefly and walked away to view the smashed-in side of the carriage. It was on its side, one door hung off the hinges, and the driving seat was cracked in two.

“I’m glad the door flew open and that we were able to roll out.” Her clear voice carried back to him.

Mr. Lacock cleared his throat. “What happened to the driver?”

“I don’t know,” Max said. “One has to assume that he left the scene with some haste.”

Which was typical of his so-called best friend, Landon—a man who regarded life as a huge jest and who never considered the consequences of his actions. Max winced. He was beginning to sound like his father, but in truth, he was getting tired of Landon’s childish behavior.

“I need to take a look inside the carriage,” Max said.

“Be careful,” Lady Allegra warned him as he came to stand beside her. “I’m not sure if it’s safe.”

He climbed in and searched the interior for his missing purse and found nothing. Undeterred, he followed the tracks of devastation back to when the coach first came onto the verge and looked through the grass and mud.

“Damnation,” he muttered.

“There’s no need to curse,” Lady Allegra said.

“There is when I can’t find my purse, which means I have no money to see you safely home.”

Lady Allegra shot a warning glance at him. “I’m sure we’ll be fine, brother. Mr. Lacock can store the carriage in his barn until you can arrange for it to be taken back to London, and we can stable the horses at the nearest inn and rent a gig to take us on our way.” She turned to the farmer. “Do you think you have the necessary space to take care of the carriage for us?”

“Yes, miss.” He paused. “For a small fee.”

“Naturally,” Lady Allegra said, nodding. “We can come to terms when we return to the farmhouse.” She looked over at Max. “Is there anything you wish to add?”

“No, my dear one, you seem to have sorted everything out perfectly.”

He took her hand and tugged her aside as Mr. Lacock walked back to the cart and the patient dogs.

“How much money do you have?”

“Not much,” she admitted.

“Enough to pay for mail coach tickets?”

“Probably not.” She met his gaze. “Once we get to a reputable inn, I’m sure we’ll think of something.”

“I admire your optimism. Especially since everything’s been going so well for us, hmm?”

“Your continued sarcasm is not appreciated.” She glared at him. “I am doing my best in an intolerable situation, which is entirely your fault.”

“I’m sure you are, but let’s be honest, we’re in something of a mess, aren’t we?”

“Oh! You’ve finally realized that. Congratulations.”

After leading her to the cart, he placed his hands around her waist, lifted her high in the air, and dropped her onto the bench seat. To her credit, she didn’t shriek, but the look she gave him when he climbed up next to her meant his sins had been added to his already growing catalogue, and he would pay for them later.

After consulting with Mrs. Lacock, Mr. Lacock announced that he’d be taking one of his farmhands to retrieve the carriage later that afternoon and that he would store the wreckage securely in his barn. He also offered to take Allegra, Max, and the horses to the nearest coaching inn, where they could ask about hiring a new vehicle.