Page 70 of How to Ruin a Rake

“Not now!” Allegra hissed, aware that there were many sets of eyes on them.

“After dinner when the gentlemen go into the billiards room, I’ll meet you in the library.” He gave her knee one last squeeze and removed his hand. “Now please eat something.”

Allegra forced some food down and was very grateful when her mother took the ladies into the drawing room. Her slight reprieve ended when Postumus came in and walked over to her.

“Lady Allegra? Might I have a moment of your time? There is a book in the library that I wish to consult, and your brother says you know exactly where I might find it.”

“Yes, of course!”

Allegra leapt to her feet before her mother could object and practically ran toward the library. Was he about to propose? Was this it?

He closed the door behind them and waited as she lit some of the candles to illuminate the large book-lined room.

“Now, which book are you referring to, sir?” Allegra asked.

“As I’m sure you are aware, there is no book. I wanted to speak to you alone,” Postumus said.

Allegra squeezed her hands together to stop them from shaking and looked inquiringly at him.

“Over the years, your brother has mentioned you in his letters to me, and I must admit that I started to look forward to hearing about you,” Postumus said. “And when I finally met you, all my hopes as to your excellent character were realized.”

“That is a very kind thing to say, sir.” Goodness, her voice was trembling.

“It is simply the truth.” He held her gaze. “Your brother also mentioned that your marital prospects had become somewhat … ​clouded. I must confess that he intimated to me that a match between us, even though we aren’t equal, would be welcomed by him and your parents.”

He squared his shoulders and looked at her. “There is something I would like to ask you, Lady Allegra.”

She braced herself for the proposal. “Yes?”

“Is it true that the Duke of Barfleur intends for you to marry his son?”

Allegra blinked at him. “What?”

“I have become aware of a certain change in the ambiance since the duke and his son came to Musgrove Hall.” He smiled. “Rest assured, none of your family members would discuss the matter with me, but the staff have plenty of opinions. I understand Max Devereux has made you persona non grata in society and that the duke feels honor bound to make his son marry you because of your loss of reputation.”

To her eternal shame, Allegra lost her ability to respond and gaped at him like a dying fish.

His smile was wry. “I see that I am correct.”

Allegra scrambled to reorder her thoughts. “That doesn’t mean that I want to marry him.”

“He’s the son of a duke.”

“If you think I am the kind of woman who would marry simply for social advantage, then you don’t know me as well as you think you do.”

“Then I apologize.” Postumus inclined his head.

“Thank you,” Allegra said. “May I speak frankly, sir? I am aware that my brother considers you a good match for me, and he is right.” She took a deep breath. “In fact, if you did offer to marry me, I would probably say yes.”

He considered her for so long that she almost forgot to breathe again.

“The thing is—how can I be certain that your willingness to marry me does not stem from your reluctance to marry Devereux?”

“I …”

He smiled. “I appreciate that you have been put in a very difficult situation, but if I married you under these circumstances, I might always have concerns as to my worthiness. And, after the way I’ve been treated by my so-called family, I am not willing to be second-best again.”

“You would never be second-best to me,” Allegra said. “If I married you, I would give you my whole self.”