Page 108 of How to Ruin a Rake

His suite felt large and empty without Allegra in it, but that was what she’d wanted—him out of her house and possibly out of her life. He poured himself a brandy and sat down by the fire. Did she seriously believe he’d rather stay in London than be with her? Whether he liked it or not, she’d changed him, and her stubborn conviction that he should resume his old life and forget that he was married rankled.

He’d always been made to feel as if he wasn’t good enough, and he’d be damned if he’d take that from his wife. If she truly didn’t care for him, he’d rather know. But first he needed to tell her the truth he’d been avoiding for months—that he loved her and that he wanted to stay with her. It would be his last throw of the dice, and if he lost, he had no idea what he was going to do next.

Max finished his brandy and poured himself another one. As soon as his father was done with him, he would return home and tell Allegra how he felt about her. He’d rather have a marriage founded on truth than on misunderstanding and lies. All he could hope was that, even if it hurt, Allegra was willing to be honest with him in return.

In the depths of his soul, he was convinced she loved him, but how to persuade her to acknowledge that wasn’t obvious. Sometimes his wife could be extremely stubborn, and some devil within him loved to tease her about that. But it was time for the jokes to stop and for the truth to be revealed. He was a different man because of her, and she needed to know that.

Faintly relieved by his decision but also apprehensive, Max decided to go to bed.

Two days later, Allegra arrived at the London townhouse of the Duke of Barfleur, stepped down from the carriage, and was ushered into the hall as if she’d been expected. She knew that wasn’t the case, because she certainly hadn’t warned them. The butler expressed his delight in seeing her, and she was taken up to Max’s suite without delay.

“Where is my husband?” Allegra inquired of the very haughty butler.

“His grace and the marquis have gone to visit some of the London property owned by the estate,” the butler said. “They are due to return for dinner.”

“Is the duchess in residence?”

“No, my lady. She has returned to her country house.” The butler bowed. “I’ll get one of the maids to bring you up some refreshments, and I’ll make sure your personal maid is given all the assistance she requires in the kitchen.”

“Thank you.” Allegra untied the strings of her bonnet. “I do apologize for my sudden arrival. I hope I haven’t thrown the kitchen into disarray.”

“This is a duke’s household, my lady,” the butler said. “We are capable of dealing with anything.”

Allegra drank some tea and then took a nap. When Anne finally awakened her, it was late in the afternoon.

“My lady, dinner will be served at seven, because that’s when the duke ordered it. Do you wish me to get you something to eat now?”

“Yes, please, just something simple.” Allegra sat up and yawned.

“I’ve laid a dress out for you to wear for dinner, my lady. It’s one that’s had the seams let out.”

Allegra placed a hand on her gently rounded stomach. “Good. At least I’ll be able to eat without bursting out of my stays.”

She sipped the tea and ate the bread, butter, and cheese Anne brought her, and attempted to quell her rising nerves. What if Max didn’t return with his father and had already settled back into his old life? How would she feel if he came back drunk with some woman in his arms? Perhaps it served her right for sending him away.

“I’ll just do your hair, my lady,” Anne said. “Won’t it be a nice surprise for the marquis to see you here?”

“I’m sure he’ll be thrilled,” Allegra said.

“Well, he does dote on you, my lady, so I reckon he’ll be pleased as punch.” Anne braided two sections of Allegra’s hair, twisted them twice, and pinned them to the sides of her head in loops. “I’d better make you look like a marchioness now that you’re in London and on display.”

Five minutes before seven, Allegra made her way down to the drawing room with a growing sense of dread. She plastered a smile on her face and went through the doors, only to discover that she was the only person present.

The butler approached her. “His grace is on his way, my lady. He said to please proceed without him.” The clock struck seven, and he gestured to the double doors leading to the dining room. “If you would like to come through, my lady?”

Allegra ate the first course of a clear beef soup with the butler, two footmen, and one of the maids standing stiffly to attention behind her. She’d never realized how loud soup could be when you were the only one slurping it. She was offered a selection of dishes for the second course and was just making her choices when the duke came in and stopped short.

“Allegra.”

She smiled at him. “Good evening, your grace. I do apologize for arriving without giving you any warning, but Max assured me I would be welcome anyway.”

Max had said no such thing, but she knew he’d never disagree with her.

“You are most welcome.” The duke inclined his head and sat down at the head of the table. To his credit, he didn’t seem discomposed by her arrival at all. “Max didn’t mention that you intended to join him.”

“That’s because I wanted it to be a surprise,” Allegra said brightly.

The duke looked at her for quite a long moment and then signaled to the butler to fill his wineglass. Allegra concentrated on her plate as the duke effortlessly navigated the soup and started on the second course. He inquired about her parents and about the renovations on the house but made no mention of his absent heir.