Page 79 of How to Ruin a Rake

“We have an appointment with the duke at eleven, my dear,” Max said, and glanced at his pocket watch.

“Then I’d better eat up,” Allegra said. “I don’t usually sleep in so late.”

Max winked at her. “I’m sure you found the wedding as exhausting as I did.”

She went bright red and refused to look at him for the remainder of the meal while poor Stephen tried gamely to make conversation.

At precisely five minutes to eleven, Allegra finished eating, wiped her mouth with her napkin, and looked at Max. “I am ready.”

Max stood and pulled back her chair for her. The duke’s secretary had already gone ahead of them, and Max escorted her across the entrance hall to a door that Allegra assumed led to the duke’s study. He paused to tap on the door, and Stephen opened it.

The duke sat at a large desk, which was covered in scrolls, maps, and books. He looked up as they came in, his cool gaze surveying her in particular.

“Good morning, your grace.” Max bowed, and Allegra curtsied.

“Please sit down.” The duke gestured at the chairs set in front of his desk.

“Thank you for organizing such an excellent wedding day for us, sir,” Max said. “It was most enjoyable.”

“I’m glad to hear that,” the duke said. “Now, shall we get on?” He looked down at the open accounts book in front of him. “As agreed, I intend to increase your allowance to accommodate your acquisition of a wife. In accordance with her father’s wishes, the marchioness will also receive her own allowance. When you come to London, you will, of course, reside at this address. There is no point in wasting money on another property when this one is barely utilized.”

“You wish me to give up my apartment in the Albany?”

“Yes, of course.” The duke looked up. “It is hardly suitable for a married man.”

Allegra thought she heard Max sigh. How would he continue his rakish ways if he was constantly under the eye of his father or his staff?

“I don’t mind if you keep the apartment, Max,” Allegra said.

The duke looked at her. “That decision is mine, dear lady, as I pay the rent.”

Max took her hand. “My father is right. I have no need for it, my dear.”

“If you insist,” Allegra said.

“I’ve also leased you Blanchard Hall at a nominal rate, which you will use as your primary residence,” the duke continued. “I’ve included money for necessary repairs and for anything your wife considers essential for decorating purposes.”

“Thank you,” Max said.

“You have a house?” Allegra looked at Max.

“Yes, in Somerset.” He smiled reassuringly at her. “I understand that it is very pleasant.”

“You haven’t been there?”

“Not yet.”

The duke cleared his throat. “If we might proceed? My time is valuable.” He focused on Max. “I appointed an agent to run the estate a few years ago and he sends me quarterly reports, which Stephen will provide for you. I suggest that after the appropriate social visits have been carried out to ensure that the ton accepts that your marriage is a happy one, you retire to the countryside and take up residence in Blanchard Hall for the summer.”

He looked down at his desk, added his signature to the letter in front of him, and held it out to Max. “This is the name of my personal banker at Coutts. I advise you to go and see him at your earliest convenience.”

Max got up and took the letter. “Thank you.”

“Your mother has arranged a list of appearances for you both. She will accompany you to each event to display her approval of your match.” The duke looked at Allegra. “I believe some of your family members will be present, too.”

Allegra, who hadn’t heard of any such arrangement, simply nodded. Her primary reason in marrying Max was to reestablish her family in society, and if the Devereux family were willing to sponsor such efforts, she would participate in all of them with the greatest of pleasure.

“The duchess will expect you to be ready to leave at two this afternoon for the first round of social calls, and tomorrow, I believe she will be hosting an ‘at home’ at which you will both be present.”