Page 21 of How to Ruin a Rake

“Promise?”

“Of course.” He placed his hand over his heart. “On my honor.”

Lady Allegra snorted and applied herself to her food.

“This is excellent,” Max said, after he’d helped himself to seconds.

“I agree.” Lady Allegra nodded. “I only hope I have enough coin to pay for it.”

“Can we not simply enjoy a meal together without you worrying?” Max asked.

“You see”—she pointed her knife at him—“that’s why you’re a known rake. You simply ignore any unpleasantness around you because it’s easier than thinking ahead and making good decisions.”

“That seems harsh.”

“The truth often does.” Lady Allegra returned to eating.

Max regarded her calm face. He’d never met a woman who was so keen to hand out advice about his character before. It was quite unsettling. “You sound like my father.”

“Really?” She looked up. “I don’t think I’ve had the pleasure of meeting him.”

“Oh, you’d remember him if you had. He has quite the reputation.”

“For what?”

“Being the epitome of a cold-hearted aristocrat,” Max said. “Even if you did encounter him, he would barely acknowledge you, because you would be beneath his interest.”

“He sounds charming.” Lady Allegra poured herself another glass of wine.

“He’s a duke. He has no need to exert himself for others’ benefit. He expects everyone to bow down to him.” Max paused. “Except the monarch, of course, although privately, he considers himself far superior to those jumped-up German nobodies.”

Lady Allegra spluttered into her drink. “Then I suspect he and my father would have something in common. My parents detest the Prince Regent.”

“Who doesn’t?” Max took a third helping of chicken. “The man’s a disgrace.”

“I rather thought you’d like him.”

Max fixed her with a quelling stare. “My dear girl, I do have some standards.”

There was a knock on the door, and Daisy came back in, her attention entirely on Max.

“Ma says do you want some pudding?”

“Yes, please.” Max made a sterling effort not to stare at Daisy’s bounteous breasts. “And is there brandy?”

“Yes, sir.” Daisy cleared the plates off the table. “I’ll be back in a minute with both.”

As soon as Daisy left, Lady Allegra reclaimed his attention. “By the way, I told Daisy that our baggage was lost with the gig.”

“That was clever of you.”

“I thought we should try and add some legitimacy to our arriving with nothing but the clothes on our backs.”

“And a very expensive horse,” Max reminded her. “That’s why I decided to use a different name.”

She smiled approvingly at him. “That was an excellent idea, as well.”

They were still smiling at each other when Daisy came back in with a tray. “I’ve got your brandy, sir, and two helpings of Ma’s custard tart and cream.”