Page 99 of How to Ruin a Rake

“Thank you, Max.” Her mother smiled. “We were just wondering if you’d felt any desire to return to London.”

“Not particularly,” Max said. “Although I suspect at some point, Allegra will want to get rid of me.” He said it with a smile, but Allegra was not convinced he thought it amusing.

“I wouldn’t want you to be bored,” Allegra replied.

“How could I possibly be bored when there is so much to do?” Max raised his eyebrows.

“I must confess that I never quite saw you as a gentleman farmer,” Carenza said. “But you appear to be enjoying the role immensely.”

“I’m not sure I’m enjoying it, exactly, because it’s extremely hard work, but I like learning. Making sure that the estate I intend to call home is a secure and happy place means a lot to me.”

Allegra was surprised by the sincerity of his tone. He usually made jokes or complained vociferously about the workload, but underneath, did he truly want to make a home for them? Another thought struck her.

“What Max means, Mama, is that he wants this place to keep me happy when he leaves me here to go back to London.” She smiled at her mother. “I do think I’ll be content here.”

Max looked at her, his expression hard to read.

Carenza set down her cup. “Perhaps you could give us a tour of the house, Allegra, and point out all the interesting bits. Julian told me I had to get all the details in case you need his decorating advice.”

“I think we’ll do well enough without him,” Allegra said. “Max has an excellent eye.”

“Did I tell you Father has turned the dower house on the Musgrove estate over to me and Julian?” Carenza asked. “The tenants have just vacated the place, and Julian cannot wait to get in there and make changes.”

“I thought Julian had his own place in Essex?” Allegra said.

“He does, but we also enjoy being close to Mama and Father.” Carenza cast her mother a loving look. “And when you and Max come and stay, you’ll be able to pick which house you wish to sleep in.”

“How very pleasant.” Allegra looked at Max. “How shall we ever choose?”

He rose to his feet and placed his cup back on the tray. “If you’ll excuse me. I have business matters to attend to before dinner.”

The countess stood up and went over to embrace him. “Thank you for welcoming us to your house so warmly. You are the best of men.” She turned to Allegra. “If you don’t mind, I might take a siesta before dinner. I’m sure you and Carenza can entertain each other.”

Max offered her his arm, and they went out together, leaving the sisters facing each other.

“Are you truly happy?” Carenza asked.

“As happy as I can allow myself to be,” Allegra said. “Seeing as I married Max for my own benefit.”

“How so?”

“I knew that such a marriage would help reestablish our parents’ respectability.”

“And mine.” Carenza held her gaze. “None of us asked you to do that.”

“Not directly. It just felt like the right thing to do,” Allegra said simply. “Max knows.”

Carenza stared at her. “You told him you only married him to save your family’s reputation?”

“I wasn’t willing to lie to him.”

“And why did he agree to that?” Carenza asked.

“He didn’t exactly agree.” Allegra looked down at her hands. “I didn’t mention it until after we were married.”

“Oh, Allegra …” Carenza shook her head. “I almost feel sorry for him.”

“I can assure you Max would not appreciate your sympathy.”