Page 74 of How to Ruin a Rake

“By letting it be known that this is a long-standing betrothal arranged between two old friends when their offspring were in their cradles.”

“That’s damn clever,” the earl said.

“If we craft the marriage notices to the press carefully, I’m sure we can override this little unpleasantness,” the duke continued. “Now, how do you feel about them marrying by special license? I have one with me. Or will that give out the wrong impression of secretive haste?”

“I’m all for haste, to be honest,” the earl said. “But I’ll have to consult my wife about this. I suspect she’ll want everything to be done properly, but I don’t want her to feel unwelcome at her own daughter’s grand London wedding.”

“Perhaps we should go and speak with her now,” the duke said, rising to his feet. “And leave the happy couple to themselves for a few moments.”

The door shut behind the two still-talking men, leaving an uncomfortable silence behind. Max went to speak, but Allegra held up her hand.

“I know you must hate me for this, but I felt I had no choice.”

“I don’t—”

“Please let me finish. Once we are married, you don’t have to stay with me. You can go back to your old life in London and forget that I exist. I wouldn’t object. You must have somewhere to leave me?” She finally looked at him, and he registered the desolation in her eyes. “And of course, when you need an heir, I’ll do my duty for you, have no doubt of that.”

A growing thread of hurt welled into anger in Max’s chest. “You’ll do your duty.”

“Yes, and I promise I’ll never embarrass you in public, or insist that you bring me up to London.”

“I see. So this is to be a marriage for your convenience, is it, and not mine?”

Her brow creased. “I don’t understand. I’m trying to do the right thing for both of us.”

“Yet, you’ve already decided how our lives will be run. What about what I want?” He rose to his feet, his hands fisted by his sides.

“Oh, Max.” Allegra rushed forward and placed her hand on his shoulder. “I know you’re only doing this to save my reputation. The least I can do is set you free to be the man you want to be.” She kissed his cheek. “Don’t worry. I’ll pretend that everything is fine to everyone, but I won’t restrict you in any way.”

She smiled brightly and held out her hand, as if he wouldn’t notice the slight quiver in her voice. “Shall we go and find my mother? I’m sure she’ll be delighted that I’ve managed to snare a marquess.”

CHAPTER 14

One month later

“You look beautiful, Allegra.” Carenza carefully kissed her cheek. “That blue silk is divine, and the flowers Mama chose for your bouquet complement it perfectly.”

Carenza wore her favorite soft pink with cream lace. Their mother had gone for a dramatic red, arguing that as she was always seen as a fallen woman, then she might as well live up to her reputation.

The wedding was taking place at St. George’s Church in Hanover Square. How the duke had managed to bully the rector into performing the marriage at the fashionable church in such a short space of time was unknown but hinted at the power the Devereux family could exert when they chose to. It was also remarkable that every single invitation had been accepted. Despite the duke’s best efforts, the marriage between his heir and one of the disgraced Musgrove girls was still a matter of intense speculation among the ton.

Allegra had refused to participate in a grand betrothal ball and stayed at Musgrove Hall until the last possible minute before she had to come up to London for fittings for her wedding dress. She’d only met the duchess that morning and been given a cool welcome into the family from a woman who appeared to have no interest in her or her son. She hadn’t seen Max at all, which was just as well, because he could hardly be enjoying such a circus.

The duke and her parents had decided that the best way to make the marriage look legitimate was to treat it like a grand occasion and stare down anyone who questioned it. Announcements had been placed in all the best newspapers, and the duke’s secretary had ensured that the gossip about a long-standing betrothal was disseminated far and wide. Landon had been silenced by his own father, who was rightly afraid of the duke’s power, and Roberts had returned to Europe and stopped speaking about the matter at all.

Allegra had gone through the past few weeks in a state of numbness as congratulatory letters and gifts had arrived at Musgrove Hall from the grand dignitaries in the country. She couldn’t help but wonder where those people had been when she’d needed support in the past, but she said nothing and focused on writing long lists of well-wishers and gift-givers she would need to thank. It gave her something to do as the rest of her world went wild.

And now here she was, about to marry Max Devereux, a man who didn’t want her but who’d promised to do what was necessary to preserve her reputation. She would keep her part of the bargain and not expect anything from him except his name and the immense respectability it brought her and her family. An all-too-familiar urge to cry almost overwhelmed her, and she fought to overcome it.

“Allegra, my darling, we must go.” Her mother came over to her. “Carenza and I will meet you at the back of the church and make sure you are looking your best before your father escorts you up the aisle.” She kissed Allegra’s cheek. “Courage, my darling.”

“Thank you,” Allegra murmured, as Carenza hugged her before leaving with her mother.

She took one last look around the bedroom that would no longer be hers after she married Max, picked up her flowers, and went carefully down the stairs to where her father awaited her in his library.

He looked up as she came in and held out a glass. “Would you care for a brandy? You look rather pale.”

“Yes, please.” She glanced out of the window and saw the Musgrove carriage was bedecked in flowers and waiting. “Shouldn’t we be leaving?”