Page 16 of How to Ruin a Rake

“You didn’t miss much.” In the light of day, he looked both older and more worried. “I haven’t seen a soul.”

“And I think we’re heading in the wrong direction,” Allegra said. “I tasted salt on my lips.”

“Which I assume means we’re getting near the coast.” He sighed. “Damnation.”

“If we do reach the coast, all we have to do is follow it, and we’ll eventually end up in Suffolk,” Allegra reminded him.

“True, as long as we’re not abducted by pirates or press-ganged by the Royal Navy.”

“I doubt they’d have much use for me, sir,” Allegra said.

“Haven’t you heard? There are female pirates.”

Allegra’s stomach growled loudly, and Max looked down at her. “We should find somewhere to stop and rest the horse.” He looked ahead and pointed to a dip in the road. “I think there’s an abandoned windmill down there, which means there’s probably a stream where we can get some water.”

“Thank the Lord,” Allegra said. “I feel as if we’ve been traveling for days.”

Max’s assumption proved to be correct. There was no one around at the derelict mill, but the rushing water was a welcome sight. Allegra went to dismount, but Max held her still.

“Let me get down first.”

“I’m quite capable …”

Even as she was speaking, he was on the ground and lifting her down to stand beside him. He waited a moment to see that she was steady on her legs and then let her go.

“I’ll go and see if I can find something to put the water in. If not, we’re going to have to take our chances with the stream.” He looked briefly over his shoulder as he walked away. “Try not to fall in or get carried away by fairies before I come back.”

“I’d like to remind you that all of this is your fault.” Allegra raised her voice so that he could hear her over the roar of the water.

He didn’t reply, and taking advantage of being alone, Allegra hurried to find a secluded spot where she could relieve herself. When she emerged, there was no sign of Max, and a surge of pure terror enveloped her.

“I’m over here,” he shouted. He stood by the stream, where he was allowing the horse to drink.

With a mental note to herself not to be such a scaredy cat, Allegra marched down the slope toward him.

“I couldn’t find anything decent to put water into, so you’ll have to use your hands,” Max said. “There’s a relatively safe platform here near where the mill wheel used to be.”

“Thank you,” Allegra said. She walked as far away from the horse as possible and, using the mill’s stone wall to hold onto, she leaned in, cupped her hand, and brought the water to her lips. She gasped. “It’s freezing!”

She scooped up as much as she could, realizing she was very thirsty. By the time she’d finished, both Max and the horse had disappeared again. She walked up the slope to find him sitting on one of the walls, delving into what appeared to be a recently acquired saddlebag. He brought out half a loaf of bread, and an involuntary moan broke through Allegra’s lips.

He looked over at her. “Hungry? I stole this through the kitchen window last night.”

She took a seat beside him. “I must admit that this is most welcome.”

“I’m glad I’ve done something right for once.” He tore a piece of the floury cottage loaf and handed it to her. “Bon appetit.”

She ate the bread as slowly as she could, savoring every mouthful while Max did the same.

“I wish I’d been able to reach the cheese,” Max said as he finished his piece and dusted off his fingers. “But this was better than nothing.”

“It certainly was.” Allegra smiled at him. “Thank you.”

He cocked his head to one side. “You look completely different when you smile. You should do it more often.”

“You have given me very little to smile about, my lord.” Allegra raised her chin. “And to be honest, the moment a man suggests I should smile more, I want to do the complete opposite.”

“Have you ever wondered if it is your contrary nature that has prevented you from acquiring a husband, rather than your family’s reputation?”