Page 53 of How to Ruin a Rake

“Good girl.” Dorian patted her shoulder. “I knew you’d be reasonable. I’ll write to him and confirm that the visit can go ahead.”

“Please don’t tell him that I’m willing to marry him,” Allegra said. “I will make my own mind up about that, thank you very much.”

CHAPTER 10

Two weeks later, Mr. Postumus Cooper arrived at Musgrove Hall. To Allegra’s surprise, he was a pleasant-looking man with fair hair, blue eyes, and the kind of cheekbones she’d always wished she had. He was also extremely well-mannered, loved music, and treated all the ladies of the family with as much interest as he did the men.

He also liked dogs and usually accompanied Allegra out on her morning walk with Jester and Pippin. He was a restful companion and, as he didn’t know about her recent escapades, a safe person to converse with. On that particular morning, the dogs were running off down the avenue of trees while Postumus and Allegra discussed their musical tastes.

“I prefer to sing in Italian,” Allegra said. “The language flows so beautifully over the music.”

“I agree that it is very melodic, but I must confess that I prefer it when a song is in English so that everyone can understand it.” He glanced over at her as he walked. “I suspect having a mother who is Italian has influenced your preferences.”

“Do you not speak Italian, sir?” Allegra asked.

“I picked up a little during my travels in Europe, but I wouldn’t consider myself an expert.”

“Did you do the Grand Tour?”

“In a way.” His smile was self-deprecating. “I accompanied the highly excitable heir of a marquess on his, my lady. I suspect I enjoyed it far more than he did.”

“You were his tutor?”

“Yes, I was lucky enough to be offered that position by the marquess’s father—who also happens to be my father.”

Allegra stopped walking and looked up at him.

“Obviously, I am illegitimate. I’m the son of one of the housemaids, but my father did acknowledge me as his son, and he provided money for my education.”

“I suppose that was the least he could do,” Allegra commented. “Did you like him?”

“More than I liked my half-brother,” Postumus said with a wry smile. “Being forced into John’s company for almost two years was excruciatingly awful, especially as I was supposed to be exercising my authority over him.”

“I should imagine he didn’t like that at all.”

“He did not, but we made it back without too many incidents,” Postumus said. “Although, as I mentioned, I don’t think it did much to help our relationship. He always resented me. When our father died, he tried to prevent me receiving my inheritance, and when he didn’t succeed, he banished me from his house and lands.”

“He sounds charming,” Allegra commented.

“He’s spoiled and self-centered like many young men of his class,” Postumus said as they continued walking. “Luckily, I am not financially dependent on him, and I steer clear of him as best I can.”

“Dorian said you are a scholar.” Allegra picked up her skirts to climb the steps into the rose garden her mother had lovingly planted and tended.

“Of mathematics.”

Allegra must have made a face, because Postumus chuckled.

“I’m terrible at figures,” Allegra admitted. “I do my own accounts and pay my own bills, but beyond that, I haven’t a clue.”

“I find it quite fascinating,” Postumus said. “But I am well aware that my interest is not shared by many, which is why I don’t talk about it very much.”

“Well, good for you,” Allegra said. “There are far too many people who are quite aware that their interests or hobbies are not interesting to the multitudes, and yet they still prose on about them at great length.”

Postumus chuckled. “I must say, Lady Allegra, that your honesty is quite refreshing. Dorian said you were an original, and I quite believe him.”

“I come from an opinionated family, sir. I have to hold my own, and you have certainly repaid my honesty with your own.”

“Your family certainly enjoy a good discussion.” He paused. “In truth, having never had a family of my own, I find it quite enchanting.”