Page 36 of How to Ruin a Rake

Allegra muttered something and flung out her arm. Max caught her hand—her fingers burned like coal embers.

“It’s all right,” he said somewhat unsteadily. “It’s just a fever. You’ll be as right as rain tomorrow.”

He’d never encountered illness before in his life. He’d had younger brothers and sisters die in the nursery, but none of them had been old enough for him to know well enough to grieve, and he’d certainly not been involved in caring for them. He managed to extract his fingers from Allegra’s and turned to the bowl of cold water and the cloth on the bedside table.

“Here …” He leaned over and tried to place the folded cloth on Allegra’s forehead, but she immediately reared up and fought to dislodge the cloth.

With a stifled curse, he sat back again, retrieved the cloth from where she’d thrown it, and considered what to do next. He’d never presided over a sickbed, and Lady Allegra did not appear to be in a cooperative mood. But that was hardly surprising, as he’d never met a more obstinate woman in his life.

She murmured something and turned toward him, her eyes briefly opening.

“Max …”

“It’s all right, I’m still here, just try and sleep,” he said.

“Don’t … go.”

“I promise I won’t.” Max held her gaze. “Just concentrate on regaining your health.”

She nodded, closed her eyes, and her breathing eased into a more regular pattern. Max let out his own breath and gently took her hand. Her fingers tightened on his, and he squeezed back.

He’d grown to like her enormously. He couldn’t even begin to imagine the repercussions if she died. How on earth would he explain he was at least partially responsible for a lady’s death to his father? Max immediately chided himself for thinking only of the impact on him and not on Allegra’s family. Whatever quirks they had, he knew they loved her and would be devastated.

“Don’t die,” he said.

She didn’t reply, and he sat there like a useless fool holding her hand until Jane arrived to relieve him.

CHAPTER 7

“There you are, miss. That’s much better.” Mrs. Bridges set down her comb and smiled at Allegra. “Your hair was all tangled at the back.”

“I’m not surprised since I’ve been in bed for days,” Allegra replied. “I don’t even remember some of it.”

“You were quite poorly, miss. Your brother was very anxious about you.”

“He’s a good man,” Allegra said.

“He is, indeed. He’s been helping Mr. Bridges out on the farm while he waited for you to recover. He said he’d go mad if he didn’t have anything to do.”

“That sounds like my brother,” Allegra said, as she leaned her head back against the pillows. Pippin was tucked in beside her and was extremely content. Allegra still felt weak, but at least she wasn’t consumed with fever. “He’s incapable of being idle.”

“He was very diligent in his care for you, as well, miss. He’s been in here every evening looking after you while Jane was busy in the kitchen.”

Allegra had a vague memory of Max sitting beside her bed. It was comforting to know that he hadn’t completely abandoned her.

Mrs. Bridges took the bowl of water from the bedside table and prepared to leave. “Mr. Tarleton will visit you today at noon.”

“I hope he’ll say that I am able to continue my journey. My family will be worried.”

“I’m sure they’ll be relieved that your brother was here taking such good care of you.” Mrs. Bridges smiled at Allegra. “He’s in the kitchen. I’ll send him up to see you.”

Allegra patted her hair and rearranged her braid over her shoulder, her gaze on the door. She felt surprisingly shy about seeing Max when he’d seen her in such a vulnerable state. She was amazed that he hadn’t run off screaming.

There was a knock on the door, and he came in. “Are you decent?”

“Of course.” Allegra raised her chin.

“That makes a change.” Max regarded her intently. “You look much better.”