Chapter 2 #4
“Fine.” Allegra sat back and crossed her arms over her chest. “Then please explain how you intend to pay for the rental of the gig. I’m all ears.”
“I’ll write Mr. Pike a promissory note with the address of my bank on it.”
“Do you have any money in your account?”
“Despite all the rumors, my father hasn’t abandoned me entirely. He still pays me a monthly allowance.”
“To lounge around and do nothing.”
“What else would you expect me to do when the current duke is hale and hearty and reluctant to relinquish an inch of control over anything?”
Allegra considered him. “Sorry.”
“For what?”
“Suggesting you were a drone when the situation is obviously quite different.”
His eyebrows went up. “There’s no need to apologize for something that is universally held as true.”
“There is if one’s assumption is incorrect and unkind.” Allegra looked away from his surprised gaze. “Let’s hope Mr. Pike agrees to your terms, or else we’ll both be riding all the way to Suffolk on the back of your two carriage horses.”
Dinner proved to be roast lamb, boiled potatoes, and plentiful greens followed by a delicious apple pie.
Mr. Pike also brought up a surprisingly good selection of wine and port for Max to enjoy.
Max was amused to see that Lady Allegra made no effort to conceal her hunger and ate a substantial share of all the dishes put in front of her.
He wasn’t sure quite what to make of her.
She was the first female of his acquaintance who wouldn’t have been in hysterics over the series of unfortunate events she’d been involved in.
She had good reason to dislike him intensely and yet had the grace to apologize when she thought she’d offended him.
Not that he’d expected an apology. He was very used to being in disgrace, but it had been a pleasant surprise to be addressed so directly.
Her belief that he’d pawn her jewelry had not gone down well with him.
If Mr. Pike refused to accept his promissory note, Max intended to leave something of his own to cover the cost. He was determined to get Lady Allegra home.
After an extremely good meal, Max stood up and stretched.
“I’ll go and check the horses before we go to bed.”
Lady Allegra looked up at him. “We?”
“Well, I can’t sleep in the stables, can I? That would look very odd, indeed.”
A line appeared between her brows. “No, I suppose you can’t.” She made a face. “I suppose we’ll manage somehow.”
He took the tray down with him and left it in the kitchen before proceeding to the stables, where Billy was more than happy to chat about horse racing, which happened to be Max’s favorite subject.
After quite a long time, he went back into the inn.
There was a murmur of voices from the tap room, where he assumed the local population congregated for a drink, and the smell of roast lamb lingered in the hallway.
Max went up the stairs and hesitated at the door to his and Lady Allegra’s room. Should he knock? Ignoring his finer impulses, he went in.
He winced when his companion uttered a shriek. She was already in bed, wearing her borrowed nightgown; her hair was braided over one shoulder, and she looked absurdly young.
“You scared me!”
“My apologies.” He took off his coat, placed it carefully over the back of a chair, and sat down to take off his boots.
“You aren’t intending to take everything off, are you?”
He glanced over at her as he loosened his cravat. “I usually sleep naked.”
She inhaled sharply, and a hint of color flushed her cheeks.
“Don’t worry, I’ll keep myself decent,” he promised as he took off his waistcoat, unbuttoned the top of his placket, and pulled the tails of his shirt free from his breeches.
He stood up, stepped out of the breeches and headed for the bed.
“You don’t intend to get in here, do you?” Lady Allegra asked in shocked tones as she drew the sheets up to her chin in a manner that made Max want to laugh.
“Where else am I supposed to sleep?” Max looked around the room. “And don’t suggest the floor. I had enough of that last night.”
She sighed and immediately began rearranging the pillows and bolsters so that they created a divide down the middle of the bed. She fixed him with an intimidating stare. “Promise me that you will stay on your own side.”
He sketched a cross over his heart and winked at her. “Of course I will.”
She sniffed. “Not that a man such as yourself would have any interest in a woman with morals.”
“You’d be surprised.” He got into the bed, appreciating the starched sheets and the softness of the pillow. “Isn’t that what all those books you love are about? The devilishly evil hero abducting the pure and virginal heroine?”
She blew out the candle, and they were plunged into darkness. “How would you know when you claim to have never read one?”
“I might have glanced at a page or two,” he admitted. “My mistresses have a habit of leaving them around.”
Her answering snort was loud in the velvety darkness. “Good lord, you mean they can read?”
“I value intelligence and beauty in my lovers, Lady Allegra.”
“I’m sure you do.” She yawned. “Good night, Max Devereux.”