Chapter 5 #2
But she was reluctant to get into bed as tendrils of unease swirled in her stomach. What if something bad had befallen Max? If he didn’t return, she’d be left with no means to pay for her accommodation and would have to leave some of her jewelry behind as surety and find a way to get home.
Surely, he hadn’t abandoned her.
She refused to believe that. Wrapping her shawl around her shoulders, she relocked the door and sat back down by the fire. She was too anxious to sleep. When Max did return, he would have some explaining to do. …
Just before the clock struck twelve, there was a fumbling sound at the door and a muttered curse. Allegra, shaken out of an awkward doze, rose to her feet and went to stand by the door.
“Who is it?”
“You know damn well who it is. Let me in,” Max said.
“I thought you told me to lock the door against degenerates.”
There was a short silence. “Please let me in before the landlord comes up the stairs to see what’s going on.”
Allegra unlocked the door and stood back as Max came in, grinning from ear to ear.
“Where have you been?” Allegra asked, far less calmly that she intended to.
“Don’t tell me you’ve been worrying about me, my lady?”
“Of course I have! I thought you might have been hurt, or that you’d abandoned me, or—”
He spoke over her. “Abandoned you? The thought never crossed my mind. I’ve been busy improving our fortunes!”
Not wanting to give him the satisfaction of asking what he meant, Allegra flounced away and went to sit by the fire.
He followed her and took the chair opposite, bending down to remove his boots and set them on the floor.
He looked far too pleased with himself, his eyes bright, his hair windswept, and Allegra wanted to murder him.
He looked at her. “What’s wrong?”
“I told you. I was worried.”
He waved away her concern. “I went to pawn my watch and met an old acquaintance who was putting up at the George at the other end of the high street. He invited me to dinner, and one thing led to another, and we ended up playing cards.”
“For money?” Allegra asked.
Max raised an eyebrow. “Is there any other way?”
“Are you saying that you risked the money that you received for your watch gambling?”
“Yes.”
“Do you not think that was a remarkably stupid thing to do?” Allegra was impressed by the calmness of her own voice.
“No, because Roberts is an amiable ass who can’t keep two thoughts in his head, so I knew I’d win, and I did.”
Allegra shook her head, and Max frowned.
“Why the long face? I made us enough money to pay for our accommodation and for the rent of the gig to get you all the way home.”
“I suppose you think I should thank you.”
“Well, it would be nice, but I’m not going to insist on it.” He dug his hand in his pocket and pulled out a handful of gold coins to show her. “Luckily, Roberts is the kind of fool who always travels with spare cash. I had no compunction in relieving him of it, as our needs are far superior.”
Allegra couldn’t deny that having the funds to complete her journey was very welcome, but she found it hard to match Max’s exuberance.
“It would have been nice if you’d told me your plans,” Allegra finally said.
“In truth, I didn’t want to draw attention to your presence,” Max said. “My main thought was to keep Roberts away from this inn at all costs. He is a terrible tittle-tattle.”
“Oh,” Allegra said. “That was good of you.”
Max yawned and stood up. “I’ve definitely had too much brandy, and I’ve kept you up. Why don’t you get into bed while I undress?”
Allegra nodded, laid the shawl over the back of the chair, and climbed into the bed.
It wasn’t as large as the one they’d shared previously, and when Max got in, it shrunk considerably more.
His weight on the feather mattress compelled her to roll back toward him, and he gathered her against him with a deep sigh.
“You wouldn’t have liked having dinner with Roberts. He’s a fool.”
“I am fully aware of his reputation, sir,” Allegra said repressively, all too aware of Max’s arm wrapped around her waist.
“I’m far better company,”
“Possibly, but you weren’t here, either.”
He nuzzled her throat. “Did you miss me?”
“Hmph …” Allegra resisted the urge to lean back against his torso and purr. He really was good at being a rake. “Not at all.”
“Liar.” He kissed her ear. “Do you think you could stop chatting? I’ve had far too much brandy, and I really need to get some sleep.”
Allegra woke up the next morning and was immediately aware of the heavy weight of Max’s thigh over her hip, and that her nightgown had rucked up sufficiently for them to be skin to skin.
It was a peculiar sensation but not unpleasant.
His arm was still wrapped around her waist, and he was snoring gently in her ear.
She considered her predicament and reluctantly decided that she really had to get up before she did something ridiculous like touch him purposely.
He snorted in his sleep, as if the very idea of him welcoming her touch was absurd.
His breath smelled of old brandy and smoke and was not pleasant, reminding her that beneath his charms, he was just a man.
She eased his arm away from her waist and gently rolled him onto his back.
He didn’t wake up, and she was able to get out of bed, get dressed, and go down to the private parlor to await her breakfast.
If all went to plan—and it appeared that they now had the money to complete their journey in style—she’d be back home in a day or two with nothing to do but contemplate a future dependent on her parents’ and her brother’s kindness.
She sighed. It wasn’t the most enticing of prospects.
She was unlikely to have children unless she lowered herself to marry someone of an inferior class, like a vicar or a man with an actual profession.
It wasn’t fair.
One thing that her unexpected journey with Max had shown her was that she was a calm and resourceful woman who was more than capable of getting herself out of scrapes. If it hadn’t been for her unease at the previous hostelry, they would both probably be dead.
“Good morning, dear sister.” Max came in, looking remarkably handsome for a man who’d been wearing the same clothes for days. “Did you sleep well?”
“Yes, thank you.” She smiled at him. “I have ordered you some coffee, but you’ll have to speak to the landlady about your breakfast. I believe they have gammon and eggs.”
He nodded, left for a time, and then reappeared with a tray of coffee and her toast and marmalade.
“You should eat something more substantial,” he said as he put down the tray. “We have a long day of traveling ahead of us. Mr. Archer reckons we should stop near the River Waveney for the night and then proceed toward King’s Lynn the following day.”
“King’s Lynn is relatively close to my parents’ estate,” Allegra said. “Perhaps it would be better for you to leave me there and let me send a note to my family to come and pick me up.”
“No, I’m taking you home,” Max said. “I owe you that.”
“You can’t let anyone see you,” Allegra objected. “That would ruin everything.”
“I’m not that stupid. The last thing I want is to be looking down the barrel of your father’s best hunting rifle.”
“He is a very good shot,” Allegra said. “And so is my brother.”
“Wonderful.” Max made a face.
The maid came in with Max’s breakfast, and he set about the task of eating while Allegra toyed with her toast. The truth was she didn’t want to go home, but there seemed no escaping it.
“You’re very quiet this morning.” Max sipped his coffee and considered her over the breakfast table.
Allegra smiled sweetly and buttered another piece of toast that she probably wouldn’t eat.
“What’s wrong?”
“I’m perfectly fine, sir.”
“You don’t look it.” He held her gaze. “Anyone would think you’re sad because you’re going to miss me.”
“Ha!” Allegra snorted. “The man who abducted me in the mistaken belief that I was my sister and has now ruined my reputation completely?”
“I don’t think it’s as bad as all that.”
“Of course you don’t. Because unlike a woman, you can go around doing whatever you want, and you’ll never suffer any consequences or harm your reputation.”
He set down his cup. “I agree that it isn’t fair, but I didn’t make the rules.”
“But you benefit from them, don’t you?”
“Again, it’s not my fault that I was born male.”
Allegra rose to her feet. “What time do you think we’ll be leaving? I need to go and pack my things.”
Max rose, too, and followed her out into the hall. “Allegra—”
They both stopped and stared in horror at the man standing in the entrance hall.
“Max!” Roberts leered at Allegra. “And what have we here?” His expression changed to one of unconcealed glee. “Lady Allegra Musgrove. What a surprise!”
Max stepped in front of Allegra. “Roberts, what do you want?”
“You left your hat at the George. I thought you might need it.” Roberts tossed the hat to him and grinned. “Have I stumbled upon an elopement? How charming! No wonder you didn’t choose to stay at the George.”
“How ridiculous.” Allegra pushed past Max.
“There is no elopement, my lord. I was as surprised to see Lord Max Devereux as you were. We just met in the hallway as he was coming down for breakfast.” She curtsied.
“Pray excuse me, I am returning to my room, where my maid awaits me. Good morning to both of you.”
Allegra hoped that her calm tone carried the conviction of her words. Surely even someone as silly as Roberts couldn’t possibly imagine that Max Devereux would be eloping with the likes of her.
Max waited until Lady Allegra had gone up the stairs before returning his attention to Roberts, who was still grinning like a fool.
“As the lady said, we just met a few moments ago. I believe she is returning to her family estate in Norfolk after visiting friends.” He paused. “And as to why I chose to stay here, I must confess that I’m running low on funds and couldn’t afford the George.”