Page 80 of How to Ruin a Rake

“Thank you.” Max took Allegra’s hand and stood up.

They left the duke’s study, and Max paused in the hall to look down at her. “I’d better go and visit this man at Coutts. Will you be all right by yourself?”

“I’ll be fine,” Allegra said. “I need to work out what to wear for all these social occasions your parents have arranged for us.”

“No, you don’t,” Max said.

“I most certainly do.” Allegra frowned at him.

“Did you not take the time to investigate the cupboards in our dressing room?” Max asked.

“I am not in the habit of rummaging through my host’s belongings, sir.”

“Come with me.” He grabbed her hand and marched her up two flights of stairs until they reached their suite. He led her into the dressing room and started opening doors.

“My mother asked your mother for your measurements before you came up to London for the wedding, and she had her dressmaker make these for you.”

Allegra gaped at the rows of dresses. “This is ridiculous.”

Max shrugged. “It’s all about presenting you as the future duchess of Barfleur. Don’t take it for kindness. My mother simply does what my father tells her to do.”

“Still …” Allegra ran her hand over the rows of gowns, which had been separated into day dresses, walking dresses, ballgowns, and dinner dresses. “I will look absolutely splendid.”

“You always do.” He dropped a kiss on the top of her head. “I’ll leave you to explore and see you at luncheon.”

He went out, leaving Allegra contemplating the complete wardrobe she’d been gifted by the duke. There were bonnets and hats in the shelves above the dresses and footwear below. She opened one of the drawers at random and discovered rows of stockings, garter ribbons, and even a drawer of the scandalous pantaloons she secretly loved.

Another drawer contained embroidered nightgowns along with petticoats and delicately sewn stays. She’d never owned so many clothes in her life, and despite her reservations about the motives of the giver, she couldn’t help but be thrilled.

She hadn’t considered all the ramifications of marrying Max and eventually becoming a duchess. The influence the Devereux family exerted was obviously considerable, and their wealth … ​she couldn’t even contemplate how much such a wardrobe might have cost. She had to remember that she was being prepared for a role. Whether that would be a good fit or something she struggled to adapt to was not yet obvious to her. She owed it to Max to do her best to become what he required.

She rang the bell and waited until Anne, her maid, appeared.

“How may I help you, my lady?”

“I have to pick an outfit to wear for a series of afternoon calls with the duchess,” Allegra said. “And, as I have no idea exactly what is in this cupboard, shall we have some fun, and I’ll try a few of these gowns on?”

The duchess descended the staircase at precisely two o’clock, her gaze immediately going to Allegra.

“I see that you found your new clothing,” the duchess said, as Allegra curtsied before her.

The duchess had been an acclaimed beauty in her youth, and Max had inherited her good looks. She wore a pale-gray gown with an expensive lace trim and a wide sash at the waist. Her bonnet matched her outfit, and she looked every inch the powerful woman she was. Her gaze was neither friendly nor hostile, her expression was calm, and her voice well-modulated. Allegra had the sense that the duchess rarely showed much emotion.

“Yes, thank you for providing me with such beautiful garments, your grace.”

“We require you to look presentable, my dear.” The duchess looked at Max. “Good afternoon, Max.”

“Mother.” He came over and kissed her cheek. “Always a pleasure.”

The duchess drew on her gloves. “We will be attending four ‘at homes’ with the most influential members of society. We will stay for precisely fifteen minutes at each one. I will do the majority of the talking, and you will address me as Mother, is that clear?”

“Yes, your grace,” Allegra said. “Very.”

Max winked at Allegra as they exited the house. He took his mother’s hand and helped her into the carriage and then performed the same office for Allegra. They sat in silence, as the duchess seemed disinclined to speak. Soon they arrived at their first stop in Berkeley Square, and as they exited the carriage before a sedate-looking house, Allegra realized that the duchess had aimed very high indeed.

“This is Lady Jersey’s house,” Allegra murmured under her breath to Max as they made their way up the steps.

“Yes, I believe it is.”