Page 81 of How to Ruin a Rake

“She was horrible to Carenza.”

“Then see this as a chance for revenge. You’ll be a duchess one day—something Lady Jersey will never be.”

A butler opened the door, and the duchess handed over her visiting card. The butler took them up the stairs to the drawing room, which was already filled with people. Everyone stopped speaking when they came in and stared at Allegra.

The duchess went over to Lady Jersey, who had risen to greet her. “Good afternoon, Sara. May I present you to my new daughter-in-law, the Marchioness of Blanchard?”

Max gently urged Allegra forward. Lady Jersey looked her up and down and then held out her hand. “Most charming.”

Allegra touched her fingers to Lady Jersey’s, curtsied, smiled, and stepped back.

“Might I make you known to Lady Bathurst and Lady Downshire?” Lady Jersey asked. “They are fellow patronesses of Almacks.”

Allegra curtsied again, and Max bowed. “A pleasure,” he said. “We look forward to meeting you all again at Almacks.” He gave them his most winning smile. “If we are honored with vouchers, of course.”

Lady Jersey glanced at the duchess before nodding. “Yes, you may expect them in the post.”

Max escorted Allegra to a vacant seat and stood behind her while the duchess toured the room, bringing over anyone of note she wished to speak to them. After fifteen minutes, they left and returned to their carriage.

“You did well, my dear,” the duchess said to Allegra as they moved away from the house. “The less you say, the better.”

Max stirred beside her. “I’d much prefer her to speak up, Mother.”

“But that’s because you do not appreciate the delicacy of your wife’s current social standing. If she follows my advice, she will eventually be accepted by the people who matter, and if she continues to behave in a ladylike manner, she will secure the future of her children.”

“I am well aware of that, your grace,” Allegra said. “And I will do my utmost to be worthy of my new position.”

“Good girl.” For the first time, the duchess actually smiled at her. “I am glad to hear that you have more sense than my son.”

Max was quiet for the rest of the day as he accompanied them on the calls and then out to the theater to be seen in the ducal box. Allegra was trying so hard to behave in a manner the duchess approved of that she didn’t have time to ask what was bothering him until they were finally alone in their bedroom.

“Is there something wrong, Max?” she asked.

He was prowling around the room, putting out the candles and banking the fire. “Not with me.”

“Well, what have I done?” Allegra looked at him. “I thought I’d been doing an excellent job representing my new family.”

“You do not have to do everything my parents order you to.”

Allegra climbed into bed and glared at Max as he joined her. She was very tired, a little on edge, and the last thing she needed was an argument. “Yes, I do. Don’t you understand that I am trying to make the best of all this?”

“Of what exactly?”

Allegra sighed. “Max, don’t be deliberately obtuse. You know what I’m talking about. I married you to safeguard the reputation of my family, and conforming to your parents’ wishes is part of that.”

He considered her for a very long time, his expression impossible to read. “You married me to protect your family.”

Allegra frowned at the flatness of his tone. “Why are you repeating my words? Wasn’t that obvious?”

There was another long pause as he seemed to consider the question. “Not to me.” He got out of bed and put on his banyan. “Please excuse me. I’m suddenly in need of my own company. Goodnight.”

He walked out through the dressing room that separated their bedchambers, and she heard the other door slam shut behind him. She gazed into the darkness in some bewilderment. What had just happened? What had she said to make Max walk away from her?

CHAPTER 16

By the end of the week, Allegra was quite looking forward to retiring to the countryside. The duchess had orchestrated a ruthless campaign that included every social circle that mattered. She had even managed to procure an audience for Allegra with the somewhat reclusive Queen and the Prince of Wales. Max had accompanied her to every event and had stood by her side, deflecting comments, smiling amiably, and presenting the perfect vision of a devoted husband.

But when they were alone, he treated her with deferential politeness and sought to leave her company as quickly as possible. He spent each night in his own bed, and Allegra never had the opportunity for any private conversation with him.