Chapter 15 #2
She hadn’t considered all the ramifications of marrying Max and eventually becoming a duchess.
The influence the Devereux family exerted was obviously considerable, and their wealth …
she couldn’t even contemplate how much such a wardrobe might have cost. She had to remember that she was being prepared for a role.
Whether that would be a good fit or something she struggled to adapt to was not yet obvious to her.
She owed it to Max to do her best to become what he required.
She rang the bell and waited until Anne, her maid, appeared.
“How may I help you, my lady?”
“I have to pick an outfit to wear for a series of afternoon calls with the duchess,” Allegra said. “And, as I have no idea exactly what is in this cupboard, shall we have some fun, and I’ll try a few of these gowns on?”
The duchess descended the staircase at precisely two o’clock, her gaze immediately going to Allegra.
“I see that you found your new clothing,” the duchess said, as Allegra curtsied before her.
The duchess had been an acclaimed beauty in her youth, and Max had inherited her good looks.
She wore a pale-gray gown with an expensive lace trim and a wide sash at the waist. Her bonnet matched her outfit, and she looked every inch the powerful woman she was.
Her gaze was neither friendly nor hostile, her expression was calm, and her voice well-modulated.
Allegra had the sense that the duchess rarely showed much emotion.
“Yes, thank you for providing me with such beautiful garments, your grace.”
“We require you to look presentable, my dear.” The duchess looked at Max. “Good afternoon, Max.”
“Mother.” He came over and kissed her cheek. “Always a pleasure.”
The duchess drew on her gloves. “We will be attending four ‘at homes’ with the most influential members of society. We will stay for precisely fifteen minutes at each one. I will do the majority of the talking, and you will address me as Mother, is that clear?”
“Yes, your grace,” Allegra said. “Very.”
Max winked at Allegra as they exited the house.
He took his mother’s hand and helped her into the carriage and then performed the same office for Allegra.
They sat in silence, as the duchess seemed disinclined to speak.
Soon they arrived at their first stop in Berkeley Square, and as they exited the carriage before a sedate-looking house, Allegra realized that the duchess had aimed very high indeed.
“This is Lady Jersey’s house,” Allegra murmured under her breath to Max as they made their way up the steps.
“Yes, I believe it is.”
“She was horrible to Carenza.”
“Then see this as a chance for revenge. You’ll be a duchess one day—something Lady Jersey will never be.”
A butler opened the door, and the duchess handed over her visiting card. The butler took them up the stairs to the drawing room, which was already filled with people. Everyone stopped speaking when they came in and stared at Allegra.
The duchess went over to Lady Jersey, who had risen to greet her. “Good afternoon, Sara. May I present you to my new daughter-in-law, the Marchioness of Blanchard?”
Max gently urged Allegra forward. Lady Jersey looked her up and down and then held out her hand. “Most charming.”
Allegra touched her fingers to Lady Jersey’s, curtsied, smiled, and stepped back.
“Might I make you known to Lady Bathurst and Lady Downshire?” Lady Jersey asked. “They are fellow patronesses of Almacks.”
Allegra curtsied again, and Max bowed. “A pleasure,” he said. “We look forward to meeting you all again at Almacks.” He gave them his most winning smile. “If we are honored with vouchers, of course.”
Lady Jersey glanced at the duchess before nodding. “Yes, you may expect them in the post.”
Max escorted Allegra to a vacant seat and stood behind her while the duchess toured the room, bringing over anyone of note she wished to speak to them. After fifteen minutes, they left and returned to their carriage.
“You did well, my dear,” the duchess said to Allegra as they moved away from the house. “The less you say, the better.”
Max stirred beside her. “I’d much prefer her to speak up, Mother.”
“But that’s because you do not appreciate the delicacy of your wife’s current social standing. If she follows my advice, she will eventually be accepted by the people who matter, and if she continues to behave in a ladylike manner, she will secure the future of her children.”
“I am well aware of that, your grace,” Allegra said. “And I will do my utmost to be worthy of my new position.”
“Good girl.” For the first time, the duchess actually smiled at her. “I am glad to hear that you have more sense than my son.”
Max was quiet for the rest of the day as he accompanied them on the calls and then out to the theater to be seen in the ducal box.
Allegra was trying so hard to behave in a manner the duchess approved of that she didn’t have time to ask what was bothering him until they were finally alone in their bedroom.
“Is there something wrong, Max?” she asked.
He was prowling around the room, putting out the candles and banking the fire. “Not with me.”
“Well, what have I done?” Allegra looked at him. “I thought I’d been doing an excellent job representing my new family.”
“You do not have to do everything my parents order you to.”
Allegra climbed into bed and glared at Max as he joined her. She was very tired, a little on edge, and the last thing she needed was an argument. “Yes, I do. Don’t you understand that I am trying to make the best of all this?”
“Of what exactly?”
Allegra sighed. “Max, don’t be deliberately obtuse. You know what I’m talking about. I married you to safeguard the reputation of my family, and conforming to your parents’ wishes is part of that.”
He considered her for a very long time, his expression impossible to read. “You married me to protect your family.”
Allegra frowned at the flatness of his tone. “Why are you repeating my words? Wasn’t that obvious?”
There was another long pause as he seemed to consider the question. “Not to me.” He got out of bed and put on his banyan. “Please excuse me. I’m suddenly in need of my own company. Goodnight.”
He walked out through the dressing room that separated their bedchambers, and she heard the other door slam shut behind him. She gazed into the darkness in some bewilderment. What had just happened? What had she said to make Max walk away from her?