Chapter 9 #2
Landon wasn’t smiling when he came in, and he didn’t offer his hand. “Devereux.” He threw a packet on the table. “Here’s your damned money for the repairs.”
“Thank you.” Max was relieved that Landon had delivered on his promise. Some devil made him say, “I hope you included the money for the wager.”
Landon looked down his nose at Max. “I did not. You didn’t win.”
“I took Lady Carenza out in the carriage.”
“That isn’t true,” Landon said. “I found out that she’d already left for her family house in Norfolk.”
A hollow pit opened in Max’s gut. “You saw me escort a woman into the carriage.”
“I did, but it wasn’t Lady Carenza. You probably paid one of the maids to join you.”
“You’re right,” Max said, thanking all the graces that Landon had unknowingly answered Max’s question. “I did. Perhaps I shouldn’t collect my winnings, after all.”
Landon shook his head. “Typical Max.” He turned to the door. “Good day.”
“And to you,” Max said, but Landon was already gone.
Claude came back in. “I was about to suggest refreshments, my lord, but Mr. Landon didn’t stay long.”
“No, he didn’t,” Max agreed and went into his bedroom. “I’m going out. Can you find my new hat?”
The dinner party at his father’s house was the usual dreary affair.
The food was always excellent, because the duke employed a French chef.
The company was usually old and selected for their usefulness to the duke’s latest political cause or the ability to keep quiet and agree with him.
Nevertheless, Max was determined to be polite and attentive.
To his surprise, his father had included two young navy officers and one man who was a botanist and traveled the globe on behalf of Kew Gardens to collect new species to cultivate in England.
As Max was seated near all three of these men, he spent an enjoyable evening and learned a lot about the current state of the Royal Navy and the world.
After everyone left, Max found himself alone with his father in the library, drinking some excellent brandy.
“You behaved yourself well,” the duke said. “Did you find your companions noteworthy?”
“Yes, sir, they introduced me to several new areas of interest that I had never considered before.”
“I’m glad to hear it.” The duke, who was magnificently attired in a dark blue coat and silver waistcoat, looked at Max appraisingly.
“Come to the house at three on Friday. I’ll be speaking to my estate manager and accountant.
You won’t make much sense of it, and I don’t want your opinions, but perhaps it is time to let you see the complexities of the estate. ”
“Thank you.” Max finished his brandy. “I’ll be there.”
Allegra was relieved when her monthly courses arrived the week after she’d returned home.
It meant she was truly safe, and there was no reason to contact Max.
But after her initial relief, her spirits lowered to such an extent that both her mother and sister asked whether she was feeling unwell.
She’d never been a good liar, and deceiving them about the most exciting and terrifying week of her life was hard.
Not that they’d condemn her for what she’d done, but with Carenza and Julian’s marriage already causing an uproar in society, another scandal would destroy the family’s reputation completely. Allegra wanted Carenza to at least have a hope of reentering society at some point.
It was lovely to see her sister so happy.
Allegra didn’t want to be the person who ruined it all for her.
She could only hope Max had done his part and stopped the awful Roberts from spreading gossip about them.
She wished she could write to him to inquire, but that would provoke all kinds of questions from all kinds of people who would want to know how on earth they knew each other.
“Allegra.”
She looked up to see her mother regarding her from the door.
“Yes, Mama?”
“What’s wrong?” Her mother came into the parlor and took a seat beside her. “You’re sighing like the world is ending.”
“I’m just worried about what the future holds for Carenza,” Allegra answered somewhat truthfully. “I know Julian says that he doesn’t care what society thinks of them, but we know all too well how such a stigma affects lives.”
“I’m still here, aren’t I?” her mother said with a dramatic flourish. “I don’t give a fig about what those people say about me. I have a husband who adores me, children who delight me, and the freedom not to be bored by the tediousness of the ton.”
She patted Allegra’s hand. “Carenza and Julian have each other, and they will fight this battle together. All we can do is offer our support and love and let them deal with it as they choose.” She paused.
“I suspect Julian is determined that they will be restored to society, but I don’t think Carenza cares. ”
“She might care if Julian becomes as unwelcome in society as she is,” Allegra said.
Her mother sat back and looked at her. “Has it really affected you that badly?”
Allegra swallowed hard. “Why do you think I had to come home halfway through the Season, Mama? It wasn’t by choice, I can assure you.”
“I can see that you might be angry about such a thing, but your sister’s happiness …”
“What about my happiness?” Allegra burst out. “Why must I be sacrificed?”
“Oh, my dear girl …”
“I have done nothing wrong and yet I’m considered unmarriageable—someone to be pitied and ridiculed simply because of my last name.”
“Surely it’s not that bad—”
Allegra shot to her feet. “Excuse me. I need to take the dogs for a walk.”
She rushed out of the room before she started crying.
It was all very well for her mother and sister to talk about the beauty of love, but what about her chance at it?
Why did no one seem to consider that she’d been left behind?
All her life, she’d strived to be perfect, to hold herself to the highest standards, and in the end, it meant nothing.
Hating herself for her selfishness, Allegra put on her cloak and old boots, and took the dogs out into the wilderness beside the house.
She spent a considerable amount of time kicking stones, tree trunks, and anything that got in her way. It didn’t help with her emotional state, but it was deeply satisfying.
“Ah, there you are, sister.” She turned to find her only brother, Dorian, coming toward her. He looked just like their father, and they shared his nose. His apparel was plain, his demeanor pious, and he spent his entire life trying not to draw attention to himself. “Mother said I’d find you here.”
“If you have come to tell me off, I’m not willing to listen to you,” Allegra said.
His eyebrows went up. “Tell you off? Good lord, sister, I agree with every word you said! It is grossly unfair that you and I are being let down by the rest of the family.”
Allegra looked at him. “You … agree?”
He sighed. “I have been trying to lead the family back to the ways of the Lord, and it has been a struggle. Carenza’s latest exploit has set me back another twenty years. I worry that I will never find a God-fearing woman willing to marry me.”
“You’re the heir to an earldom,” Allegra pointed out. “Some poor, desperate female will take you on at some point.”
Dorian winced. “That’s exactly my point. I don’t want that kind of woman.”
“You’ll get married, Carenza and Julian will live happily ever after, and I’ll be left here looking after all your children—the favorite spinster aunt. It’s so unfair.”
“Now, that’s what I wanted to talk to you about. I had mentioned it to our parents, but they weren’t keen on the idea.”
“What idea?”
“My friend Postumus.”
“Postumus?” Allegra looked askance at Dorian. “The Roman emperor?”
“No, my Postumus was born alive, but his mother died in childbirth, hence the name.” “
What about him?”
“He is in need of a wife, and he is willing to consider you as a potential bride.” Dorian looked very pleased with himself. “I’ve asked him to visit us.”
“What does this Postumus do?”
“He’s a scholar,” Dorian said. “A very well-regarded one.” He looked hopefully at Allegra. “You will consider him, I hope? He is a very pleasant individual.”
“If you wish,” Allegra said. “Although I’m not making any promises. The chances of us getting along are remarkably slim.”
“Good girl.” Dorian patted her shoulder. “I knew you’d be reasonable. I’ll write to him and confirm that the visit can go ahead.”
“Please don’t tell him that I’m willing to marry him,” Allegra said. “I will make my own mind up about that, thank you very much.”