Page 52 of How to Ruin a Rake

She patted Allegra’s hand. “Carenza and Julian have each other, and they will fight this battle together. All we can do is offer our support and love and let them deal with it as they choose.” She paused. “I suspect Julian is determined that they will be restored to society, but I don’t think Carenza cares.”

“She might care if Julian becomes as unwelcome in society as she is,” Allegra said.

Her mother sat back and looked at her. “Has it really affected you that badly?”

Allegra swallowed hard. “Why do you think I had to come home halfway through the Season, Mama? It wasn’t by choice, I can assure you.”

“I can see that you might be angry about such a thing, but your sister’s happiness …”

“What about my happiness?” Allegra burst out. “Why must I be sacrificed?”

“Oh, my dear girl …”

“I have done nothing wrong and yet I’m considered unmarriageable—someone to be pitied and ridiculed simply because of my last name.”

“Surely it’s not that bad—”

Allegra shot to her feet. “Excuse me. I need to take the dogs for a walk.”

She rushed out of the room before she started crying. It was all very well for her mother and sister to talk about the beauty of love, but what about her chance at it? Why did no one seem to consider that she’d been left behind? All her life, she’d strived to be perfect, to hold herself to the highest standards, and in the end, it meant nothing. Hating herself for her selfishness, Allegra put on her cloak and old boots, and took the dogs out into the wilderness beside the house.

She spent a considerable amount of time kicking stones, tree trunks, and anything that got in her way. It didn’t help with her emotional state, but it was deeply satisfying.

“Ah, there you are, sister.” She turned to find her only brother, Dorian, coming toward her. He looked just like their father, and they shared his nose. His apparel was plain, his demeanor pious, and he spent his entire life trying not to draw attention to himself. “Mother said I’d find you here.”

“If you have come to tell me off, I’m not willing to listen to you,” Allegra said.

His eyebrows went up. “Tell you off? Good lord, sister, I agree with every word you said! It is grossly unfair that you and I are being let down by the rest of the family.”

Allegra looked at him. “You … agree?”

He sighed. “I have been trying to lead the family back to the ways of the Lord, and it has been a struggle. Carenza’s latest exploit has set me back another twenty years. I worry that I will never find a God-fearing woman willing to marry me.”

“You’re the heir to an earldom,” Allegra pointed out. “Some poor, desperate female will take you on at some point.”

Dorian winced. “That’s exactly my point. I don’t want that kind of woman.”

“You’ll get married, Carenza and Julian will live happily ever after, and I’ll be left here looking after all your children—the favorite spinster aunt. It’s so unfair.”

“Now, that’s what I wanted to talk to you about. I had mentioned it to our parents, but they weren’t keen on the idea.”

“What idea?”

“My friend Postumus.”

“Postumus?” Allegra looked askance at Dorian. “The Roman emperor?”

“No, my Postumus was born alive, but his mother died in childbirth, hence the name.” “

What about him?”

“He is in need of a wife, and he is willing to consider you as a potential bride.” Dorian looked very pleased with himself. “I’ve asked him to visit us.”

“What does this Postumus do?”

“He’s a scholar,” Dorian said. “A very well-regarded one.” He looked hopefully at Allegra. “You will consider him, I hope? He is a very pleasant individual.”

“If you wish,” Allegra said. “Although I’m not making any promises. The chances of us getting along are remarkably slim.”