Page 101 of How to Ruin a Rake

If he did, would she come to regret her decision? Was he stupid enough to try it? Surely, she’d miss him. He only realized he was staring at his wife when she raised her eyebrows in a question. He hastily looked down at his plate. He didn’t like wanting her approval, but it appeared that it was now necessary for his happiness.

“Max?”

He turned to Carenza. “I do apologize. I was woolgathering. What did you say?”

“I was just remarking on what a lovely house this is and how well it looks.”

“Thank you,” Max said. “It is still something of a work in progress, but I’m very pleased with what we’ve achieved so far.”

“It’s all Max,” Allegra said. “Nothing would’ve happened if he hadn’t decided to take it on.” She smiled. “I’m very proud of him.”

He smiled in return, his gaze locking on hers as he forgot everyone else in the room. In truth, he was behaving like a besotted fool. If any of his old friends saw him now, they’d be in hysterics.

“It’s a joint venture,” he said. “I couldn’t have done it without Allegra’s support.”

“How lovely,” Carenza said. “I always think a good marriage is a balancing act, and you two appear to have mastered it perfectly.”

“That’s very kind of you,” Max said. “Although I suspect Allegra would disagree.”

“Yes, because you don’t play fair,” Allegra said. “And constantly put your thumb on the scales.”

“I most certainly do not.” Max pretended to look affronted. “I’m quite certain your family know exactly who runs the house, and it isn’t me.”

“Allegra has always been honest to a fault,” the countess said.

“In truth, I prefer her to be honest,” Max said, with a challenging stare at Allegra. “Then at least I know where I stand.”

CHAPTER 20

The Musgrove ladies soon settled into the rhythm of the house, and Max was able to resume his work with the farmers and the tenants. The problems of long-term neglect and lack of investment had badly impacted the land, and Max was at something of a loss about how to deal with everything.

After corresponding with his father about the problems, he was somewhat surprised one morning when a man arrived, claiming he’d been sent by the duke to attend to such matters.

“My name is Nicholas Lake, my lord.” He bowed to Max and handed over a packet of papers. “I’m the son of the duke’s current land agent for his northern estates.”

Mr. Lake was a man of Max’s age who exuded the kind of calm competence Max would never be able to manage. He had dark brown hair, eyes to match with a humorous twinkle in them, and was of average height and build. He spoke with the cadence of a gentleman with a slight northern burr.

Max invited him into the library and offered him a seat by the desk. “Please sit down, Mr. Lake,” Max said. “Would you care for some refreshment, while I read through these documents?”

“A cup of tea would be most appreciated.”

Max rang the bell, and when Brice appeared, he ordered tea. “Please tell her ladyship that I’m currently detained and that I will see her at luncheon.”

“Yes, my lord.”

Max read his father’s letter first and then the glowing recommendations from others as to Mr. Lake’s good character and farming credentials. Eventually, he looked up. “Are you sure your father can spare you?”

“He is in his prime, my lord. There is scarce enough for me to do. I’d appreciate the opportunity to do more.”

Max knew exactly how that felt. “Perhaps you’d care to ride around the estate with me and see what you’d be letting yourself in for before you commit to working for me,” Max suggested. “The last land agent absconded with the strongbox, leaving behind unpaid laborers, ruined farms, and tenants living in cottages with the roofs falling in.”

“So I heard.” Mr. Lake looked suitably horrified. “I am certain we can do better than that.”

“I’m sure my father has warned you that I know very little about restoring this estate,” Max said. “I will need a lot of help, but I am willing to learn, and never take offense when advice is offered in good faith.”

Mr. Lake said, “Then perhaps after that tea, we should go on that ride. I must admit I’m looking forward to a challenge. The duke’s lands in the north are so well run by my father that I’d appreciate being able to contribute more.”

They returned to the house well into the afternoon and ate lunch together at the kitchen table while Mr. Lake enthusiastically heard Max’s plans, while offering his own insight and expertise with a finesse that didn’t make Max feel stupid at all.