Page 20 of How to Ruin a Rake

“As it’s his favorite subject, I’m sure it’s no hardship,” Allegra said. “Will you tell Mr. Foster that I’m going to take a nap and that I will see him at dinner?”

“Yes, miss. Ma says she’ll have everything ready by six. I’ll come and wake you if you’re still sleeping.”

“Thank you.”

Daisy left and Allegra turned her attention to the large hunk of bread, the wedge of cheese, and the bowl of soup. She tried to eat slowly, but the simple fare was so good that she cleared all the plates in no time.

By the time she was done, she was yawning so frequently that she could barely keep her eyes open. She got into the bed and sighed with sheer relief as her head hit the pillow. It was strange not having Max close by, but for the first time in quite a while, she felt safe enough to stop worrying and drift off to sleep.

CHAPTER 4

Max glanced up as the clock in the small private parlor struck six and Lady Allegra came through the door. She’d redone her hair, and her dress looked as though it had been pressed.

“Much better.” Max looked her up and down.

She rolled her eyes and came to sit at the table. “That was the best sleep I’ve had since we left London.”

“Agreed.” He offered her a glass of wine, which she accepted. “Do you have any idea where Southwold is in relation to where you wish to go?”

“I believe we’re still in Suffolk.” She made a face. “In fact, we are farther away from my parents’ estate than we were yesterday.”

“But at least we’re alive,” Max reminded her. “We really had little choice but to leave as quickly as possible.”

“I’m perfectly aware of that. If I hadn’t woken up and heard them plotting, we’d be dead.”

He raised his glass to her. “Cheers to that. I suppose I owe you my life.”

She met his gaze, her gray eyes clear. “You do. And considering I have every right to wish you dead, I find that quite ironic.”

“As you said, it will be far more fun to kill me yourself.”

“That’s true. I must ask Mrs. Gunner if I can borrow her meat cleaver.”

Max almost spat out his wine, laughing. If there was anything he’d learned about Lady Allegra Musgrove in the past few days, it was that she was indomitable and that she had a dry sense of humor that appealed to him immensely.

“Make sure that it’s been sharpened,” Max advised her. “I wouldn’t want to suffer too much.”

She grinned at him, and he suddenly saw how attractive she could be.

“You are incorrigible.”

“Yes.” He bowed.

There was a knock at the door, and Daisy and Mrs. Gunner entered carrying two trays, which they set on the table between Max and Lady Allegra.

Daisy set out the plates and utensils, while Mrs. Gunner pointed at the food. “There’s chicken, ham, roast potatoes, parsnips, gravy, and some greens.”

“It all looks splendid, Mrs. Gunner,” Max said. “Thank you very much.”

He winked at Daisy, who blushed as she left the room behind her mother.

“Don’t you dare,” Lady Allegra said the moment the door closed.

“Dare what?” Max asked.

“Seduce the landlord’s daughter.” She fixed him with a hard stare. “We do not want Mr. Gunner pursuing us with a shotgun because you have ruined his daughter!”

Max held up his hands. “I have no intention of seducing her.”