Page 106 of How to Ruin a Rake

Allegra raised her chin. She was a terrible liar. Everyone knew that, including herself. But for the first time in her life, she was going to have to try to deceive everyone she loved for at least a little while. And she did love Max, which was why she had to make sure that he still had the freedom to make his decisions without feeling bound to her because of the child.

“It’s time to be brave,” Allegra told her unconvinced reflection.

She patted her hair, adjusted some of the pins, and went back into the corridor. As she descended the stairs, she heard the carriage bearing her sister and mother arrive at the front door. When they came inside, she hurried down the stairs to greet them.

“You missed the most thrilling encounter. Three of Max’s old friends turned up completely drunk, demanding to see him because they thought I’d imprisoned him in a tower.”

CHAPTER 21

It was a relatively quiet morning for once. Allegra’s family had returned to Norfolk, Mr. Lake had been installed in one of the back bedrooms, and Max had time for a leisurely breakfast with his wife before he needed to attend to anything important. Allegra handed him a pile of correspondence, and he sifted through it as he drank his coffee and surreptitiously observed her.

Something wasn’t right.

She was trying too hard to be her normal self, but she couldn’t fool him. He’d seen her in every mood from cold fury to heated passion, and something was off. As if aware of his scrutiny, she looked over at him. He had no idea when her plain features had become beautiful to him, but he never wanted to stop looking at her.

“Anything interesting in your correspondence?” Allegra asked.

“There’s a letter from my father.”

“And what does he have to say for himself?”

“He wants me to go up to London.” Max found the letter and handed it over to Allegra. “He says there are matters concerning my inheritance that need attention and I have to be in his presence to sign documents to make them legal.”

“Then when do you intend to leave?”

He frowned. “I’m not sure if I want to go at this moment.”

“Why ever not? The Season is in full swing, and you can see all your friends and revisit all your old haunts.”

“Why are you constantly encouraging me to leave?” Max said. “It is rather tiresome.”

“Because you are the heir to a dukedom, and you need to listen to your father when he asks you to attend him.”

“I write to him every week.”

“But he has asked you to come and visit him,” Allegra pointed out. “I merely suggested that you should go, and now you’re making everything awkward.”

“You could come with me.”

Even though she tried hard to hide it, Max couldn’t miss Allegra’s appalled expression.

“You are the Marchioness of Blanchard,” Max said. “No one with any sense is going to refuse to acknowledge you now.”

“Doesn’t that rather depend on what your friend Landon has told everyone?”

“This has nothing to do with Landon,” Max said evenly. “If you don’t wish to accompany me, just say so.”

She regarded him carefully. “Then you will go?”

Max threw his napkin onto the table and stood up. “Seeing as you’re so keen to be rid of me, I damn well will.”

He stalked off in the direction of his study, only slowing his steps when his butler asked if everything was all right. He went into the study and found Mr. Lake awaiting him.

“Good morning,” Max said.

“My lord.” Mr. Lake bowed. “Do you have time to talk about the repair schedule for the cottages in the village?”

“Yes, of course.” Max went to sit behind his desk. “By the way, I’ll be going up to London for a few days. I’m sure you’ll be able to carry on the good work while I’m gone.”