Chapter 12 #2
“Yes, I had a good conversation with Mr. Laurent and a brief one with the marquess, who treated me rather like a member of staff.” His smile invited her to share the joke, but she was in too much of a state to do so.
“I can only apologize,” Allegra said as they walked back toward the house. “I suspect he believes he’s too good for us all.”
“He is certainly conscious of his exalted position in society.”
“You’re too kind,” Allegra said as she sent the dogs down to the kitchens. “Do you have any plans for the day with Dorian?”
“Not that I am aware of.” He looked at her expectantly. “Is there something in particular you wish to do?”
“I thought you might enjoy a walk down to the village. We have the remnants of a Saxon church within the Norman one, which everyone appears to find fascinating.”
“I would enjoy that.” He smiled at her, and Allegra smiled back.
“Shall we meet in the entrance hall in an hour? I have to speak to my mother and attend to my correspondence before we go.”
He bowed. “I look forward to it immensely.”
An hour later, Allegra descended into the hall to find not only Postumus, but her mother, her sister, and her sister’s husband awaiting her. She mustered a smile.
“Are you going out in the carriage?”
“No, we’re coming with you,” her mother said. “It is such a nice day, we all decided we’d like an outing.” She beckoned to the man who had just come into the hall. “The marquess is joining us, too.”
After a not-so-subtle glare at her mother, Allegra tied the ribbons of her bonnet in a bow, walked over to Postumus, and looked up at him. “Shall we go?”
He offered her his arm, a glint of amusement in his eyes. “Of course, Lady Allegra. I would be honored.”
She made polite conversation as they progressed down the drive, through the gate by the gatekeeper’s cottage, and onto the path leading to the village, which took its name from the family estate.
Even though she knew Max was walking beside her mother—and they were several steps behind her and Postumus—she was acutely aware of Max’s presence and the drawl of his voice behind her.
There was something about the tone of it that made her senses come to life in a most annoying way.
“If I might venture a comment, my lady, you seem a little distracted today,” Postumus said. “Is there anything I can help you with?”
“I suspect I’m not used to having a marquess in the house,” Allegra said in low tones. “As you probably know, my family is considered a social liability by the ton, so we barely receive visitors, let alone dukes.”
“Dorian did mention those … difficulties.” He paused. “As someone who has no interest in mingling with those of high birth anymore, I would never be seeking such people out. I prefer a quiet existence with my friends and colleagues who know what I am and don’t take issue with it.”
“That must be nice,” Allegra said. “I’ve always felt that I’ve had to fight for my place in society, even though I’ve done nothing wrong.”
“Perhaps it is time to stop fighting,” he said gently. “You might say that we have a lot in common.”
Allegra didn’t dare look at him, but she smiled, and let him lift her over the next stile, his hands firmly around her waist, his appreciative gaze fixed on her face.
Just before they reached the church, her mother came up beside her, linked her arm through Allegra’s, and very firmly slowed her steps until Carenza took Allegra’s place beside Postumus and they were alone.
“What are you doing?” Allegra murmured. “I was having an excellent conversation.”
“But you should not be doing that,” her mother said. “At least while the marquess is present.”
“Mama …” Allegra stopped walking. “Do you want me to marry the marquess?”
“Who would not want their daughter to marry the heir to a dukedom?”
“But what about love?”
“I want you to be settled and happy, and without fearing that society will turn its back on you.” Her mother held her gaze.
“I’ve been thinking about what you said to me the other day.
I have always been aware of the price my children paid because I married your father, but perhaps I’ve tried to ignore it. ”
“But you love each other.”
“Yes, of course we do, but that doesn’t mean I’m unaware of the consequences your father faced for choosing me.
He was cut off from everyone and everything he knows, his family abandoned him, and his acquaintances deserted him, refusing to even visit here.
He was reduced to maintaining correspondence with some of them, but he was no longer included in their social plans.
He pretends not to care for my sake, but I know it has been difficult for him. ”
“I think he’d still rather have you,” Allegra said.
“I hope so.” Her mother smiled.
“What if Mr. Cooper proposed to me, and I married him?”
“He appears to be a very good man.” Her mother hesitated. “But his social position is as precarious as yours. He’s the illegitimate son of a very powerful family, and he has roused the enmity of its current peer.”
“Through no fault of his own,” Allegra said.
“It doesn’t matter, does it? Society will always take the part of the most powerful, and what if that peer causes trouble for Mr. Cooper at some point? Where will your security be then?”
“With you, I should hope.”
Her mother shook her head. “We are not powerful enough to protect you from everything, my love. Although, we would do our best.”
“So in your opinion, I should ignore Mr. Cooper and focus my attention on the marquess simply for the sake of being secure?”
“I see I’ve stirred your temper, my dear. That was not my intention.” Her mother patted her arm. “I just wanted to give you something to think about.”
She walked away, leaving Allegra tethered to the spot as she fought to control her feelings, her hands curling into fists.
Her sister was pointing out interesting aspects of the architecture to Postumus, and he was nodding his appreciation.
She reminded herself that her mother’s advice was only advice.
If Allegra wanted to avoid marrying Max, then marrying Postumus would be an excellent way to do that.
“A penny for your thoughts?”
She turned to find Max had come up behind her. He gestured at the church where everyone else had disappeared inside. “Not really of interest to me, if I’m honest. They all look the same.”
“And you’d probably be engulfed by a thunderbolt if you stepped over the threshold,” Allegra responded.
“There is that. God knows how I’m going to manage at my wedding someday.”
“You’ll probably elope to Scotland with someone unsuitable and be married in Gretna Green over the anvil, thus avoiding your well-deserved fate.”
“That’s an excellent idea.” He paused. “Are you all right?”
“Why would I not be? I’m supposed to be marrying you at the end of the week.”
“Allegra.” He stepped closer, his hand coming up to cup her chin. “Don’t you bloody start crying again.”
“I am not crying. It’s simply the stiff breeze,” Allegra said, her throat tight with too many feelings she wasn’t at liberty to express. She held her breath as he leaned in, his gaze on her slightly parted lips, and made herself ease back.
“And, anyway, we both agreed that I’m going to marry Postumus.”
“What did you call him?” A smile began to curve his lips. “That’s his first name? How glorious!”
Allegra scowled at him. “Go away and admire something else in the village. I’ll be in the church.”
She could still hear him chuckling as she walked away. He smelled wonderful, his mouth was a temptation all by itself, and when he smiled at her … She just wanted to strip him naked and have her way with him. She stopped by the church door.
There, she’d admitted it.
She was a sad, pathetic old maid who had liked having a rake in her bed.
Allegra set her jaw and went into the church. She had to inspire Mr. Cooper to propose to her in the next few days, or she would be in very big trouble indeed.