Page 48 of How to Ruin a Rake

“That’s the first sensible thing I’ve heard you say in years,” George said. “What brought that about?”

Max half-smiled. “Almost reaching the age of thirty? Realizing there is more to life than getting drunk and behaving appallingly?”

George continued to regard him. “I’ll be interested to see if your change of heart is permanent.”

“I’m not surprised you doubt me.” Max signaled to the waiter for a brandy. “But after Landon’s last stunt …” He shook his head. “I have no desire to continue our friendship.”

The waiter brought his brandy, and Max took it with a word of thanks. “Is Mother in town? I had a letter from her.”

“No, but Father is. He was most put out that you weren’t here.”

“I’ll be sure to let him know that I have returned,” Max said. “Has he opened up the townhouse?”

“Yes, because I came up to town with him,” George said. “He wishes to speak in the House of Lords on a matter that concerns him. I helped draft his speech.”

“Good for you.”

George grimaced. “I have little else to do with my time, as he refuses to relinquish control of anything.”

“I am quite aware of that,” Max said.

“Yes, it made me view your ‘antics’ in a new light.”

“Antics?”

“Your inability to conform to his expectations springs from his reluctance to educate you in the affairs of his estate. In short, you have nothing to do, either.”

“Well put,” Max said. “You’re the second person to suggest that my current choices are dictated by my lack of employment.”

“Who else said that?” George asked.

“No one you would know,” Max said. “But perhaps she was right.”

“A woman dared tell the great Max Devereux that he was acting like a fool because his father doesn’t trust him?” George grinned. “That sounds like the kind of woman I would love to meet.”

“I doubt you’ll get the opportunity.”

“Let me guess—you banished her from your presence because she dared to have an opinion.”

“On the contrary, she was the one who walked away from me.” Max finished his brandy and rose to his feet. “It was good to see you, George. Tell Father that I’ll present myself at the townhouse tomorrow morning at eleven.”

He clapped his brother on the shoulder and left the club, nodding at acquaintances on the way. He decided to walk home, as it wasn’t too late, and the night sky was clear. For the first time in his life, he felt acutely alone. There was no gang of rowdy friends surrounding him, and there was no Lady Allegra Musgrove. He slowed to a stop, his gaze fixed on one of the streetlamps ahead of him.

He missed her.

Max picked up his pace. The best thing he could do for Allegra was to keep her name out of the mouths of the ton and protect her peace. If he succeeded in that, everything else would become manageable.

CHAPTER 9

“Ah, there you are, Allegra.”

Allegra looked up to see Julian advancing toward her. Even though he was in the countryside, he was still impeccably dressed. She’d taken refuge in the walled garden and was enjoying her solitary state. Pippin and Jester, who had taken to each other immediately, frolicked at her feet as she searched out the best blooms from the flowers grown specifically for the house.

“Julian.”

She offered him a warm smile. His family estate shared a boundary with theirs, so she’d known him all her life and considered him a good friend. In her opinion, he should have married Carenza years ago. Instead, he’d introduced Carenza to his best friend, who was not a good man. Carenza had suffered through a humiliating marriage littered with affairs, gambling, and ultimately her husband’s self-inflicted death.

Allegra was thrilled that, despite all the scandal, her sister and Julian had found their way back to each other and were now married despite the horror of polite society. Allegra had missed the wedding, which was upsetting, but she had been off on an adventure of her own.