Page 72 of How to Ruin a Rake

He didn’t reply, but she knew he’d obeyed her when she heard his footsteps and the door latch click.

Allegra sank down onto the nearest chair, her head in her hands, her thoughts a tumble of needs and wants that she couldn’t collate into anything meaningful. She couldn’t go back into the drawing room and face them all.

She stood, went to the door, and peered out into the empty hallway. She could hear voices from the half-open door into the drawing room, but no one would see her if she made straight for the stairs. Picking up her skirts, she made a run for it and managed to reach the door of her bedchamber without seeing a soul.

Several hours later, after changing into her nightgown and going to bed, she was unable to sleep. She ended up sitting in her chair by the fire, staring at nothing. She was startled when there was a gentle tap on the door and Carenza peeked in.

“I saw the light under the door,” Carenza said. “May I come in?”

“Yes, of course.” Allegra wrapped her shawl more tightly around herself.

Carenza took the chair opposite Allegra. She’d also changed for bed, and her long, fair hair hung in a braid over her shoulder. She looked happier than Allegra had ever seen her before, which was at least something to be pleased about. Carenza’s marriage to Julian was a wonderful thing.

“I’m glad you’re still awake, because I wanted to thank you,” Carenza said.

“For what?”

“For choosing the marquess.” Carenza smiled at her. “You have no idea what a relief it is to me.”

“How so?” Allegra asked.

“He’s the son of a duke,” Carenza said simply. “If he’s married to my sister, no one will be able to prevent Julian and I from taking our rightful place in society. We will be related to one of the most important families in England and won’t have to suffer the scorn and indifference you and I encountered when we made our debuts.” She reached over to touch Allegra’s knee. “I know you didn’t make your decision just for me and the rest of the family, but it will certainly make our lives easier.”

Allegra stared at her. She hadn’t yet made a decision, but she couldn’t reveal that to Carenza. If her sister were imagining a much better world for herself and her family, then it seemed cruel to shatter that fantasy.

“And I have to say that I’ve never believed the marquess is indifferent to you,” Carenza continued. “He seeks you out in company and definitely enjoys your sense of humor. If he truly didn’t wish for the match, he would never have agreed to come here.”

Allegra wished she could tell her sister all the reasons why Max had felt he had to turn up, but they weren’t her secrets to share. Any conversation would only lead to more questions as to how Allegra thought she knew the marquess so well after such a fleeting meeting. Carenza was her big sister and was not easily fooled.

“Did Mr. Cooper propose?” Carenza asked. “Mama thought he was going to—that’s why she eventually persuaded me to seek you out in the library. I must admit I was quite relieved to see you in the marquess’s embrace rather than Mr. Cooper’s.”

“Mr. Cooper didn’t propose. He had already worked out that the marquess was here for a reason, and he believed I should sort that out before he asked me anything.”

“How very wise of him,” Carenza said. “Was he annoyed?”

“Not at all. In truth, he said that if I decided not to marry the marquess, I should let him know.”

“How very gracious of him.” Carenza smiled. “But you won’t need to contact him now your future is assured. I can’t quite believe it. My sister will be a duchess!” She rose to her feet and came over to kiss Allegra’s cheek. “Thank you, my dearest one.”

Allegra forced a smile and watched Carenza leave. She truly hadn’t thought of the implications of marrying the heir to a dukedom in more than personal terms, but the effect such a union would have on her whole family would be monumental. Her mother had hinted at the same thing by suggesting that allying herself with Postumus, who also had a dubious pedigree, would not be beneficial to either of them.

Allegra added coal to the fire and wrapped her shawl more firmly around her shoulders. It was time to have an honest conversation with herself about her feelings for Max. She couldn’t deny that she responded to his touch with shameless alacrity, but he wasn’t immune to her, either. He’d even said she complicated matters for him.

But he was an acknowledged rake and a sophisticated lover who would probably make any woman feel the same as she did. Was her desire for him strong enough to make such an unorthodox marriage work? He annoyed her immensely, but she did like some parts of him. She blushed as she remembered his body moving over hers with such sensuality that she’d had to close her eyes and simply experience the wonders he aroused in her.

And that was another thing. Would it be fair to Max to marry him simply because it suited her family and she liked going to bed with him? He wasn’t the kind of man who appreciated being told what to do, and it was obvious that his own father choosing his bride for him hadn’t gone down well. He’d never actually said that he wanted to marry her. In truth, he’d enthusiastically endorsed a plan to ensnare poor Postumus.

Allegra sat back. What did Max want? And, more importantly, how was she going to find out before his father returned, demanding answers? On one side, she had a duty to her family, and on the other, she had a duty to Max. She had the horrible sense of yet again being helplessly caught in a tangle not of her own making.

Tomorrow she would have to speak to Max. It was her last chance to find out what he thought before she had to make the most difficult decision of her life.

Max went down to breakfast the next morning in something of a quandary. Cooper hadn’t proposed to Allegra, which meant that the easiest route to denying his father was gone. Max wasn’t sure what else they could do except continue to refuse until everyone gave up on them. But where would that leave Allegra? She’d intimated that Cooper might consider renewing his attentions after Max left, but if Cooper truly cared for her, shouldn’t he have stood up and fought for her?

Perhaps Cooper wasn’t the right man for Allegra after all. Max paused at the bottom of the stairs. And there was the attraction Max still had for her that made him want to tease her until she fell into his arms and kissed him with all the strength and passion within her. Cooper wouldn’t appreciate that, Max was damn sure.

“Good morning, Max.”

He halted at the door into the dining room. His father sat calmly at the table, drinking his coffee as though he were the owner of the house.