Page 27 of How to Ruin a Rake

“Yes,” Allegra agreed, without making any effort to move out of his embrace.

He was the first to step back, his gaze moving over her as he picked up his hat. “Lock the door after I leave.”

“Yes, sir.” Allegra bobbed him an awkward curtsy.

“Stop it.” Max frowned and left, closing the door with a distinct bang.

Allegra sank down onto a chair, her legs trembling and her breathing erratic. When he’d touched her, she’d wanted more, wanted to feel his mouth kissing hers as roughly as his voice had sounded. A cold stream of water coursed down her back from her wet hair, and she shuddered. Such fevered thoughts were not for her. What would her sister Carenza think of her displaying her naked self to a man she wasn’t married to?

In truth, Carenza might approve. Allegra sighed. She had to be sensible. Max Devereux was most women’s worst nightmare, and his ability to seduce women was legendary. She had simply fallen foul of a rake, which was nothing to be ashamed of at all.

Max walked swiftly down the stairs and out into the high street, his heart thumping in time to the pulse in his hard cock. Lady Allegra Musgrove’s long legs, small bosom, and curved hips were now branded into his memory. Why hadn’t she locked the damn door? And why had she just let him look? For an unmarried woman, she was remarkably bold.

“Good lord,” Max muttered to himself. “I do sound like an old spinster. She did nothing wrong. I simply”—he let out a breath—“didn’t expect her to look like that.”

“What ho, old chum!”

Max was jerked out of his reverie by the sound of a familiar voice. He turned warily to face the gentleman approaching him.

“Roberts.”

“Max.” Lord Sebastian Roberts, one of his classmates at Harrow and Eton, approached him, grinning like a fool. “What brings you to this part of the world?”

“I’m just passing through.” Max shook the proffered hand. “Had a problem with my gig and had to hole up here for repairs.”

“How inconvenient,” Roberts said. “I did wonder if you were on the run.” He laughed heartily. “I heard rumors that your father is not happy with your conduct.”

“He’s never happy,” Max replied. “Where are you staying?”

“At the George, of course.” Roberts pointed vaguely up the street. “It’s the best inn here.” He paused. “Perhaps you could join me for dinner?”

Max thought rapidly. It was in his best interests to keep the gossipy Roberts as far away from Lady Allegra and the Three Lions as possible.

“I have some business to take care of in town,” Max said. “But I’d be delighted to join you after that.”

“I’m not sure what business you have in this hovel, but that is most agreeable to me. I’ll expect you around six,” Roberts said, and turned to leave. “Tally ho!”

Max watched as Roberts disappeared up the street and debated whether to go back and warn Lady Allegra that an acquaintance of his was also in town. He decided against it, just in case she was still naked, and headed down the road. One of the ostlers had given him directions to a shop near where the fishing fleet came in where he could pawn his watch. It wasn’t the most salubrious part of town, but Max reckoned he could take care of himself.

After completing his business, he’d take a long walk along the coast and let the coldness of the sea air cool his blood. He had a terrible sense that if he went back to Lady Allegra, she’d know what he’d been thinking, and he was certain she’d insist on bringing up his lustful thoughts, and then what would he do? The urge to act on them still lingered, which was not good at all.

Staying away from her and having dinner with the amiable Roberts was the best plan. Hopefully he could arrive back to their shared room so late that she would’ve gone to bed.

Allegra ate her solitary dinner and sat in the parlor for an hour waiting for Max to appear. When he didn’t return, she went up to the bedchamber, lit a candle, and sat beside the fire, reading. She was so engrossed in her gothic novel that when the clock chimed ten times, she looked up in surprise. Where was Max? Had he somehow fallen foul of the good citizens of Southwold? Or was he simply out carousing like the rake he was? Nothing would surprise her anymore.

She got up and went to unlock the door. If he did return late, she didn’t want to have to get out of bed to open the door to a drunken fool. She set her book aside and decided to get ready for bed. It had been another tiring day, and tomorrow looked just as wearing, so a good night’s sleep was an imperative.

But she was reluctant to get into bed as tendrils of unease swirled in her stomach. What if something bad had befallen Max? If he didn’t return, she’d be left with no means to pay for her accommodation and would have to leave some of her jewelry behind as surety and find a way to get home.

Surely, he hadn’t abandoned her.

She refused to believe that. Wrapping her shawl around her shoulders, she relocked the door and sat back down by the fire. She was too anxious to sleep. When Max did return, he would have some explaining to do. …

Just before the clock struck twelve, there was a fumbling sound at the door and a muttered curse. Allegra, shaken out of an awkward doze, rose to her feet and went to stand by the door.

“Who is it?”

“You know damn well who it is. Let me in,” Max said.