Page 63 of How to Ruin a Rake

“Somewhat,” Allegra said.

The duke sat back and regarded her carefully. “You are being extremely magnanimous toward my son, my lady. Would you care to explain why?”

“Because some of what happened next might be my fault.”

The duke slowly raised his eyebrows. “How so?”

“When the marquess refused to listen to me, I threatened him.”

“You had a weapon in your possession?”

“No, I had a large book of sermons, which I threw at his head.” Allegra swallowed hard. “I hit him hard enough to knock him out, which meant that when the carriage took off to parts unknown, he was unable to stop it.”

The duke’s lips twitched. “You rendered him unconscious.”

“Yes, because he suggested that no woman of his acquaintance could hit anything, and I rather lost my temper and wanted to prove him wrong.”

There was a moment of silence as the duke contemplated her before he continued. “When the accident happened, you were both thrown out onto the verge, and then what?”

“We found shelter at a farm, left the wreck of the carriage in the barn, and made our way to a coaching inn with the horses.”

“Which is where you encountered one of Max’s friends.”

“Yes, I believe Lord Sebastian Roberts saw us together and assumed the worst.” Allegra gathered her courage. “Is this what your visit is about, your grace? Have there been rumors in London? I can assure you that your son did everything in his power to make sure I got home safely in the end.”

“You are remarkably quick to defend him, my lady.”

Allegra shrugged. “As I said, a lot of what happened was beyond his control. If I hadn’t knocked him out, he probably would have regained control of the carriage far earlier, and none of the rest of it would’ve happened.”

“I find you most interesting, Lady Allegra. Most women who had been put in such a compromising position would not be defending their abductor. And I must note that your parents had no idea what had happened when I explained why we had come to Musgrove Hall.”

“I … ​didn’t want them to worry. We’ve had enough scandal in our lives,” Allegra said.

“With respect, your name is already being bandied around the gentlemen’s clubs and society events in London. It wouldn’t have been long before your parents heard about it.”

Allegra winced. “Which is quite unfair, when I have done nothing wrong.”

“I quite agree.”

She forced herself to meet his cool gaze. “If you came here to make sure that I intend to keep quiet about this, then you needn’t have bothered. I am quite aware that my position in society was already tenuous and that this has sunk me completely. But, as I have no intention of returning to London, there is nothing to worry about.”

“That is very generous of you, but I fear it will not do.”

Allegra frowned. “With respect, I’m not sure what you mean. Are you expecting me to make a public confession? I can assure you that is not necessary.”

“On the contrary, I am not expecting you to do anything except become my son’s wife.”

Allegra blinked at him. “What?”

“He has compromised your reputation.”

“What reputation?” Allegra asked. “This is ridiculous.”

The duke drew himself up. “Most women would be grateful to be allied to the family of a duke.”

“I’m sure that’s true, but did Max—I mean, the marquess—insist that he marry me?”

“He did not, but he will do as he is told.”