Page 54 of How to Ruin a Rake

“As you probably know, Mr. Cooper, my family has been the subject of much scrutiny, which has made us stick together as a united force.”

“As someone who has attracted a great deal of scrutiny of my own, I’m glad that you have each other.”

Allegra looked up at him. “Did you have no one to advocate for you?”

“Not really. I was fostered out to one of the farms until I reached the age of seven. Then I was sent to a remote boarding school willing to take the illegitimate son of a marquess. At eighteen, I was brought into my father’s service as his secretary—something his wife objected to most vociferously. At twenty-five, I accompanied John on his Grand Tour, and then our father died, and I was summarily dismissed for thieving.”

“Thieving?”

He shrugged. “As I mentioned, John didn’t like me, and he fabricated a charge accusing me of stealing items that our father had given me over the years. The case was never brought to court, but it left a stain on my reputation that has been very hard to shift.”

Allegra held his gaze. “I’m glad you have prospered despite everything that was done to you.”

He smiled down at her. “Thank you. So am I.”

She whistled for the dogs, who instantly appeared through the gap in the hedge and came into the rose garden. She bent to pat Pippin. “Good boys.”

“They are delightful little chaps, aren’t they?” Postumus petted Jester. “Very well behaved.”

“Pippin isn’t always so obedient,” Allegra said. “The first time I met him, he was trapped in a bramble hedge. In his panic, he’d turned around so many times that he was well and truly stuck.” For a moment, she was overwhelmed with memories of Max alternately complaining and helping her retrieve poor Pippin.

She hadn’t heard from him, and there had been no hint of scandal coming down from London in the papers or in correspondence. It seemed highly likely that Max had negated the threat of Roberts and that they were both in the clear. Perhaps it was time to forget him completely and move on with her life.

She straightened up and smiled brightly at Postumus, who was regarding her somewhat quizzically. “Shall we go in and have some tea? I don’t know about you, but I’m feeling decidedly peckish.”

“This property, Blanchard Hall, is one of our larger estates.” Stephen rolled out an impressive-looking map on the duke’s desk, and Max leaned in to take a closer look.

“It was once the family seat, but when your grandfather received the dukedom, it was deemed far too small and was vacated for the far grander property of what became Barfleur Park. It is currently let to tenants. There are several farms attached to the property, a village, a church and its living, a dairy, and a home farm,” Stephen continued, pointing out each item on the detailed map. “I believe it extends to about seventy-five acres.”

“It was occupied when the family held the title of the Marquess of Blanchard,” the duke said from behind his desk. “Your courtesy title.”

“Which I never use,” Max murmured as he traced the boundaries of the estate.

“I am considering allowing you to manage it,” the duke said.

Max slowly looked up. “Me?”

His father held his gaze. “You did say that you wished to be more involved in the running of the estate. Or was that just a passing fancy?”

“No, I am very interested. I just didn’t expect—”

“To actually be asked to do something?” The duke gestured to Stephen, who withdrew from the room. “If you truly wish to learn, this would be an excellent opportunity for you.”

“Where is it?” Max asked.

“In Somerset, quite near the city of Bath.”

“It sounds delightful,” Max said. “When would you want me to start?”

“The tenants will vacate the premises next month. I suggest you consider visiting the estate after they have left.”

“Do you have a land agent there?”

“Yes, he sends me quarterly reports. Ask Stephen to provide them for you.” His father paused. “I want you to assess the needs of the estate and send me a list of what needs to be done. If I am in agreement with your claims, I will put forward the finance to restore the place.”

“For what purpose?”

The duke sat back. “For your future family home. At some point, I will find you a suitable bride. It’s important that her family know she will be living in a style that is appropriate for the wife of a future duke.”