Page 23 of How to Ruin a Rake

“Anything?” She smiled invitingly. “My parents sleep very heavily, sir, and my room is as far away from theirs as possible. In truth, it’s directly opposite yours.” She winked at him before she left.

Max sighed. So much for him seducing the innocent Daisy …

He was certain Lady Allegra would attribute his pleasure in making love to beautiful women as yet another character failing, but he enjoyed it immensely. But tonight, he just wanted to sleep in a real bed without fear of being murdered, and the luscious Daisy would be waiting for him in vain.

Allegra woke up with a headache and a profound sense of embarrassment that she had cried in front of the infuriating Max Devereux. Why she’d let him goad her into revealing truths that had nothing to do with him, she had no notion. He didn’t deserve her confidences and had proved that by the horrified look on his face when she’d burst into tears.

She stared up at the beamed ceiling and sighed. To be fair, he hadn’t made fun of her for crying—something she expected he might do. And he hadn’t said anything to make matters worse. The best course of action was to pretend that nothing had happened and go back to treating him like an annoying but useful brother.

They were still in a dire situation, far away from London, and with little financial resources. Had her family realized she was missing yet? And what would they do if they had? Her father would storm up to London, demanding answers, and no one would have any because of a stupid wager that had gone disastrously wrong.

It was all Max’s fault.

She sat up and swung her legs over the side of the bed. She had no idea how late it was, but the brightness coming through the window suggested that she had slept in. Daisy had taken away her dress last night and had returned it while Allegra was asleep. It looked in far better condition. Her petticoat was now devoid of mud, as well.

She got dressed and went down the stairs into what appeared to be an empty tavern. There was a gentle hum of conversation coming from the rear of the property, so Allegra headed there. She opened the door into a large kitchen and saw Max seated at the table talking to Daisy. Both of them looked very pleased with themselves.

“Good morning,” Allegra said.

“Morning, miss.” Daisy smiled at her. “Would you care for some porridge? Ma made a big pot of it before she left for the market.”

“Good morning, sister,” Max said. “Did you sleep well?”

“Yes, indeed.” Allegra sat opposite him and scanned his face for signs of debauchery. “Did you?”

“Very well.” He winked at her, and she frowned in return.

Daisy set a bowl of porridge in front of Allegra. “He certainly did sleep, miss. I’m surprised you couldn’t hear him snoring.”

“Perhaps I am so used to it that it didn’t register,” Allegra said, her suspicious gaze on Max.

“Daisy was closer to me than you were,” Max said. “Perhaps that’s why.”

“Was she?”

Daisy went off in a peal of laughter and swatted at Max’s shoulder. “Now don’t you be saying things like that, sir, you’ll give me a bad reputation, you will.”

“The only person who has a bad reputation around here is my brother,” Allegra said. “And I can assure you that it is richly deserved.”

“You wound me.” Max pressed his hand to his heart.

“He’s been a real gentleman to me, miss,” Daisy said. “A real gentleman.”

“Hmm …” Allegra applied herself to her porridge, which was very good with the addition of some cream.

Daisy went out to feed the dogs, and Allegra continued to pretend Max didn’t exist.

“You’re in a mood this morning,” Max eventually said.

“I am perfectly fine, sir.” Allegra stared at him. “I have nothing on my conscience.”

“Oh, we’re back to that again, are we?” He sighed.

“Actually, I was referring to your promise to me last night.” “Which one?”

“Not to seduce Daisy.”

“I didn’t seduce her.” Max paused. “Although she did offer.”