Page 38 of How to Ruin a Rake

“Is there something wrong?” Lady Allegra asked. “You look rather grim.”

“I’m contemplating what a terrible mess I’ve made of things,” Max said frankly. “In truth, I’m worried about you.”

“Me?”

“You’ve been missing from your home for several days now.”

“Thanks to you.”

“I am aware of that.” Max stopped the gig. “I don’t know how to fix this mess.”

“It’s quite easy,” Lady Allegra said. “You take me home, leave me to explain things to my family, and go on your merry way.”

“How do you expect me to be merry when I’ve destroyed your reputation?”

“Oh, for goodness’ sake, Max, it was already destroyed by Carenza’s latest scandal.” She reached over and patted his clenched fist. “I have no intention of returning to London, and I’ll have plenty to occupy me at home, so nothing has really changed.”

He met her amused gaze. “You are being far too kind to me.”

“I’m not trying to be. Things were already bad, Max.” Her voice gentled. “I’m more worried about you.”

“Don’t be.” Max glared at her. “We both know that behaving atrociously will simply enhance my reputation as a rake and that any little unpleasantness will be smoothed over by my father.”

“How very nice for you.”

“It doesn’t feel pleasant, Allegra, I can assure you of that.” He set his jaw. “I owe you an apology.”

Her smile was sweet. “Thank you.”

“I also owe you much more, but I don’t know how to help.”

She regarded him seriously for a long moment. “I have some thoughts on that, but I’d prefer to discuss them when we stop at the next inn.”

“Of course.” Max clicked to the horse, and they moved off. “This is hardly the place to be talking about anything.”

Mr. Tarleton had recommended that they stop at an inn called the Crosskeys, on the Suffolk-Norfolk border, close to the River Waveney. It was a small place at a crossroads and catered for the humbler traffic coming down to the coast. Max stabled the horse, had a word with the ostler, and went into the entrance hall, where he met Mr. Jones, the publican.

“We only have the one room, sir. Your sister said that would do nicely.”

“Yes, thank you.” Max followed Mr. Jones up the stairs. “Did she tell you that we lost almost all our possessions in a carriage accident?”

“Yes, she did mention it,” Mr. Jones said. He knocked on a door and went in. “Here’s your brother, miss. Dinner will be served at six in the kitchen if that suits you, or I can have it brought up to you.”

“We’ll come down,” Max said. “We don’t wish to put you to any trouble.”

Mr. Jones departed, and Max closed the door and leaned against it. Lady Allegra had taken off her bonnet and cloak and sat at the dressing table, examining her reflection.

“I look like a hag.”

“You certainly look rather tired,” Max said. “But that is to be expected.”

She sighed. “There’s no need to agree with me. I’d heard you were charming to women.”

“I can be under certain circumstances.” He strolled over and looked down at her. “And this is definitely not one of them. Why don’t you sleep for a while? I’ll take a walk along the river and stretch my legs. I’ll return in time to take you to dinner.”

“Yes, I think I’ll do that.” She turned on the seat to look at him. “Will you sit down for a moment? I have something I wish to propose to you.”

He obliged with some suspicion and considered her carefully. “What is it?”