Page 97 of How to Ruin a Rake

Max drank his brandy. Now he just had to convince Allegra that their marriage was more than one of convenience and that it should be founded on love. How to do that eluded him, but he’d find a way. What he’d discovered with her was far too important to let slip through his fingers.

He’d thought he’d feel out of sorts away from London for so long, but he’d been far too busy to miss gambling, drinking, or whoring. He had a woman in his bed who appreciated his lovemaking, he had his own cellar full of brandy, and the odds as to whether he’d ever set this house to rights were far more exciting than betting on the horses.

But did Allegra love him back? Sometimes he thought she did, and then she’d retreat again as if scared to have shown him that part of herself. The good thing was that they were married and stuck together in a country house that required all their considerable talents to restore. He had to convince her of his sincerity before she expected him to go back to London for the Season.

Max offered a silent toast to his wife and finished the brandy. From the shouting outside his door, he reckoned the staff could do with an extra pair of hands in the dining room. Anything he could do that helped Allegra settle down at Blanchard Hall by his side was worth it. He’d literally move heaven and earth for her.

CHAPTER 19

It took another two months before the house was truly ready to welcome new visitors, but Allegra enjoyed the challenge. The ability to decide what would go where and to change things was usually absent when a house was inherited, but with Blanchard Hall, Max was happy to give her carte blanche. She’d created a small parlor for herself on the sunnier side of the house where she could entertain friends, deal with her correspondence, and generally laze around if there was nothing demanding her attention.

She kept waiting for Max to get bored, but so far, it hadn’t happened. They’d shared the summer together, and now autumn was upon them. The trees in the home park were turning the most glorious colors, and the newly hired gardeners were busy making sure that everything survived the winter in good order.

Two weeks after the duke had dinner with them, there’d been a commotion in the stable yard. They’d discovered the duke had sent his staff down from London with all Max’s horses. The duke had also sent a note with the head groom to say that any of his grooms who wished to remain in Max’s employ had his permission to do so.

Prompted by his father’s generosity, Max remembered to write to Jack and his father about securing him a position in his new stables.

It was a kind gesture and so unlike the duke that Max had difficulty believing it. Allegra made sure he wrote a thank-you note to his father, and from then on, the two men shared a weekly correspondence where Max sought his father’s advice about estate matters, and sometimes even took it. Stephen, the duke’s secretary, advised Max that the duke had substantially increased his allowance to cover the additional costs to restore Blanchard Hall. He also kept them updated about the prosecution of Mr. and Mrs. Cobbins, who had been apprehended trying to get passage to France with several pieces of the Devereux estate and the strongbox.

Allegra went into the hall and looked out of the window. She was expecting her mother and sister for their first visit. If Max decided to leave her and enjoy the start of the Season in London in October, then at least she wouldn’t be alone.

“Any sign of them?” Max came up behind her and peered over her shoulder.

“Not yet. I’m not sure why I’m even looking, because they aren’t expected until this afternoon.” Allegra sighed.

“Aren’t you pleased that they are coming?” Max asked. He’d become uncannily good at detecting her moods.

“I’m delighted,” she said. “It’s just that I’m rather tired after preparing their rooms, discussing menus with Mrs. Smith, and all the other matters that occur when someone comes to visit you for the first time in your new home.”

Max looked at her more closely. “You do look a bit worn out.”

“Thank you.”

“Perhaps you should take a nap.”

“And miss their arrival?”

Max wrapped his arm around her shoulders and marched her firmly toward the stairs. “As soon as they appear on the drive, I’ll have your maid wake you. You’ll have plenty of time to make yourself presentable before they disembark.”

“I do feel rather out of sorts,” Allegra confessed.

“Then go.” He patted her bottom as she headed up the stairs. “I’ll send Anne up to you.”

“I don’t know what’s wrong with me.” Allegra paused to look down at him. “I’m never normally this tired.”

“Or bad-tempered,” Max said helpfully. “You almost bit my head off when I took the tops off my boiled eggs this morning.”

“They smelled terrible!” Allegra said as she continued to ascend.

Max blew her a kiss, and she waved at him before she crossed the landing and headed toward the bedchamber she still shared with Max. Even though his suite was now restored to its former glory, he rarely slept in his bed, preferring to be in hers, which suited her very well.

Her steps lagged as she reached her door, and she repressed an absurd desire to cry. Perhaps the anxiety of awaiting her mother and sister’s approval was preying on her more heavily than she’d anticipated. Anne appeared and loosened her laces sufficiently for Allegra to lie down in comfort. Within seconds she was fast asleep, only to be dragged out of bliss after what seemed no time at all.

Anne called her name. “Your family are approaching the house, my lady.”

Allegra struggled to sit up. “What time is it?”

“It’s just past three, my lady. You slept for almost three hours.”