Page 26 of How to Ruin a Rake

“Jack’s gone back home,” Max said after he’d finished the last of the bread. “I gave him your last sixpence for his trouble. I wish I’d been able to tell him who I really was.”

Allegra’s curiosity got the better of her. “Why?”

“Because he wants to be a tiger or a jockey, and my father has plenty of opportunities for lads like him in his stables.”

“Perhaps you could write to Jack when you get home and simply suggest he contact your father?” She saw Max’s expression and hurried on. “Not the duke directly, of course, but the person who runs his stables. I’m sure you know who that is.”

“A very affable man called Mr. Warwick. I could put in a good word for Jack before he applied,” Max mused.

“That’s an excellent idea,” Allegra said. “How clever of you to think of it.”

Max regarded her. “Don’t flatter me. I am well aware that it was your suggestion.”

“But you did think of finding him a place in your father’s stables all by yourself.”

Max stood up and dusted off the crumbs. “I think I’ll go and check my horse. I’m not sure if I can deal with you when you’re in this placatory mood.”

Allegra smiled brightly, and he rolled his eyes and walked out. In truth, she was glad to see him go, because she wasn’t sure quite how long she could sustain her attempt not to argue. There was something about him that just compelled her to set him straight. And, if she was honest with herself, she enjoyed their spats immensely. Losing her reputation and being free of society’s rules was surprisingly liberating.

She finished her ale and went to see if she could persuade one of the maids to bring up some hot water for her to bathe in. Despite her best efforts over the past few days, she still felt rather grubby. She’d discovered an extra thrupenny bit when she’d emptied out her reticule, and she would use that to tip the helpful maid.

Half an hour later, she lay in the bath, staring up at the ceiling. She’d washed her hair and was reluctant to get out, even though the water was cooling rapidly. She closed her eyes and tried to reach for a sense of calm that had eluded her over the past hectic days.

The door opened, and Max came in.

“I left my—” He scowled at her. “Good God, woman. Why didn’t you lock the door?”

“I thought I had.” Allegra made no attempt to leap out of the bath or cover herself. She’d quite forgotten she was sharing the room with Max. “You could have knocked.”

“You might have mentioned that you intended to have a bath!”

“I didn’t think of it until after you’d left,” Allegra said. “Can you hand me that towel, please? The water is getting rather cold.”

“You’re not getting out while I’m here, are you?”

“Why shouldn’t I?” Allegra asked.

“Because … ​it’s indecent.” He brought the towel over to her and held it out, averting his gaze.

“You sound like an old maid.” Allegra stood up and let the water run off her before stepping out onto the floor.

Max immediately wrapped her in the towel. His hands remained low on her hips. “You’re supposed to be the old maid.”

She shrugged. “I’m resigned to my fate. You can’t make me feel shame for it.” His hands tightened and she looked up at him. “What?”

“You have nothing to be ashamed of.”

She couldn’t look away. “Thank you.”

She shivered as he gently moved a wet curl of her hair away from her cheek. “I’ve completely forgotten what I came up here for.”

“Seeing a naked woman would do that to a rake,” Allegra murmured as he gently rubbed her back with the towel. “I suppose I should be glad that you didn’t run away screaming.”

“I’m made of far sterner stuff, my lady.”

His voice held a rough quality that made her want to lean into him and hear more.

He took a deep breath and let it out. “I should go.”