Page 19 of How to Ruin a Rake

“Yes, and far too grand to be carrying people,” Max agreed, as he walked with the boy into the small but immaculate stable block. “He’s far more used to pulling a carriage and four.”

“What kind of carriage?” the boy asked.

“Well, I have several,” Max said. “The carriage is best used in inclement weather and for transporting ladies, but I much prefer my phaeton.”

Jack’s eyes lit up. “I’ve always wanted to be a gentleman’s tiger—you know, the kind that sit on the box and help with the horses.”

“I think you’d be very good at it,” Max said. “You have a lightness of build.”

Allegra stumbled into the inn and blinked hard against the sudden darkness.

“Oh, you poor dear!” A young woman Allegra assumed was Daisy appeared at her elbow and held her steady. “Mr. Foster said that no one was hurt in the accident, but you look as if you took a bad tumble, miss.”

“Brothers never notice such things,” Allegra said.

“Then how about we get you upstairs, and I’ll bring up some hot water for you to wash in.”

“That would be most kind.” Allegra smiled.

She followed Daisy up the stairs and into a small bedroom under the eaves that looked out over the stable yard. She caught a glimpse of her reflection in the mirror on the dressing table and gasped.

“I look terrible!”

Daisy kindly didn’t agree, although her expression said it all.

“I can take your gown and coat and see if I can repair some of the damage,” Daisy offered.

“Yes, please.” Allegra concealed a yawn behind her hand. “I think I might take a nap, so I won’t be needing them for a few hours.”

Daisy’s eyebrows went up. “Do you not have a change of clothes, miss?”

“No, our baggage was trapped in the wreckage,” Allegra said. “But I do have my nightgown in my reticule. That will have to suffice.”

Daisy nodded. “I’ll bring you up that hot water, miss, and maybe a cup of tea?” She looked inquiringly at Allegra.

“I am rather hungry.”

“Then I’ll get you some bread and cheese.” Daisy hurried out the door.

Allegra took off her bonnet and cloak and sat on the side of the bed, yawning so hard that her jaw cracked. It took all her energy to unlace her boots, take off her cloak, and remove her gown. Her fingers fumbled over the laces of her stays, but she managed to get them off. She put on her borrowed nightgown and laid the rest of her clothes over the back of the chair.

Luckily, she had a comb in her reticule, and she placed it on the dressing table. Daisy came in with a bowl of steaming water, soap, and a towel, and Allegra wanted to kiss her.

“Here you are, miss.” She scooped up Allegra’s clothing. “I’ll be back in a minute with that bread and cheese.”

Allegra washed her hands and face and took down her hair, which was knotted from all her adventures. It took her quite a while to untangle all the snarls, but the process always brought her peace.

There was a knock on the door, and Daisy backed in with a tray. Allegra’s stomach growled.

“Ma made some vegetable soup. I thought you might like some with your bread and cheese.” Daisy set the tray down on the dressing table.

“It smells delicious.”

Daisy smiled. “Ma’s a good cook. She’s roasting some chickens for dinner. She reckons Mr. Foster will have a big appetite.”

“She’s right about that,” Allegra said. “Where is he, by the way?”

“He’s in the stables.” Daisy grinned. “Dad said my brother Jack is talking his ear off about horses.”