Chapter Three

A llegra went to Aunt Dinah's rooms a quarter-hour before they were due in the drawing room, knowing her aunt would be leaving soon in order to be present to make their guests feel at home.

Sure enough, Aunt Dinah emerged just as Allegra arrived, closing her door behind her. "Oh, hello, Allegra. Did you have need of me?"

"May I walk to the drawing room with you?"

"Why, certainly, my dear. What do wish to speak to me about?"

She had never been able to hide anything from this woman. "I wanted to ask your logic behind inviting certain guests to the house party," she began, not ready to name names.

"Miss Bancroft was the first I thought of when organizing this event for you and Lyric," Aunt Dinah explained. "I met her this Season through Georgie and found her to be utterly delightful. She is a woman who has much to offer—if the right man actually looks for it."

Knowing her aunt referred to Miss Bancroft's plain appearance, she said, "I agree. I do like Miss Bancroft."

"As for Lady Lida and her cousin, they both are spirited girls, with a Season or two of experience. They are pleasant and interesting. I believe Lady Lida has had offers of marriage, but she is reluctant to accept one until her cousin also has a betrothal lined up. They are close, possibly as close as you and Lyric are."

That covered the women, so Allegra pressed on. "And the gentlemen you decided to invite to Shadowcrest?"

"Lord Blankenship was the second name I jotted onto my list. He is a gentleman in every way possible, and his strong connection with August certainly was in his favor. I recalled Lord Motley wedding his wife during the last Season I went to, the one before your uncle's fit of apoplexy."

That had been a dark time in the Strong household. Uncle Seaton had lain paralyzed, unable to speak, for three years. It had been the catalyst which had set her own father on the path to claiming the dukedom in all but name. While he and her brother Theodore had flitted about town without a care in the world, Papa had restricted all the Strong women, forcing them to remain inside the London townhouse that entire time. They neither called upon nor were allowed to have others call upon them. No rides or walks in the park occurred. They were housebound the entire time, with Aunt Dinah ministering to her husband until his death.

Allegra had never understood her father's reasoning in keeping them away from others, only knowing he wanted to be the Duke of Seaton so badly that he could taste it. When an adult James appeared out of nowhere after being missing since he was a boy, it had knocked the winds out of Adolphus Strong's proverbial sails, leading to Papa hatching the scheme to hold Sophie for ransom. James had one of his ships dump them unceremoniously in Australia with no funds.

She hoped none of them would ever see the two again.

"I recalled how good a man Lord Motley was and how devoted he was to his betrothed," her aunt continued. "When I read about her passing in the newspapers, I jotted a note to him and had Powell deliver it for me."

"That was bold of you, Aunt Dinah, considering Papa did not want us in communication with anyone in Polite Society."

"I am glad I asked Lord Motley to come to this house party since he is out of mourning," her aunt said. "And when he told me he would only be able to attend if he could bring Viola and her nursemaid with him, I thought all the more of him for the request."

They had reached the drawing room now. Thankfully, no guests were waiting. She wanted to finish this conversation with her aunt in privacy.

Trying to hurry things along, she said, "I can understand why you asked Lord Lamkin. He is the most amiable of men. And while Lord Tillings is quiet and new to his title, he is intelligent and unfailingly polite." She paused, wondering how to introduce the topic of Lord Carroll.

"You are curious as to why I added Lord Carroll to the mix," Aunt Dinah said knowingly.

"Well, yes. I am. He is quite handsome. Irresistible, in a way. But I believe him to be most arrogant."

Her aunt touched Allegra's shoulder. "The earl's reputation is quite wicked, but my intuition tells me there is much more to him than he wishes others to see. He is amusing and incredibly charming, but I believe he hides his true self. I was hoping being in the company of interesting, intelligent men and women would help him either discover his nature or open up more to the possibility of being who he really is."

"So, you do not think him a handsome shell with little to no substance to him?"

Aunt Dinah studied her carefully. "I think he wears the label the ton has placed upon him with pride and enjoys playing the rake. Perhaps he will understand himself—and others—better by the end of this house party."

Aunt Dinah looked over Allegra's shoulder and smiled. "Ah, Lord and Lady Crowell, it is so good to see you again. I hope you have everything to your liking."

Her aunt engaged in conversation with the earl and countess, and the drawing room began filling with their guests and various Strongs. Allegra made the effort to circulate through the room, making everyone feel at home. James and Sophie made their appearance and warmly conversed with their guests.

Lord Blankenship escorted her and Lyric in to dinner. Afterward, the men stayed behind to smoke their cheroots and drink a glass of port, while the ladies retired to the drawing room. During that time, Aunt Dinah asked their three young female guests if they would be willing to entertain everyone with their musical talents this evening. The three spoke briefly, all deciding on what numbers they would perform, so as no two would play the same piece.

The gentlemen joined them again, led by James. Allegra chose the closest seat and before she had sat in it, Lord Carroll took up the remainder of the settee.

"You look rather irked," he quipped.

Arching her brows, she said, "Possibly because I am? I wish you would go pester someone else, my lord. I have had more than enough of your company."

He frowned slightly. "I am sorry to have made such a poor first impression upon you, Miss Allegra. Might I have a second chance?"

She had no intention of giving him one, but she did know that they would need to coexist in this house for the next ten days. The least she could do is be polite and represent her family well. Unlike Aunt Dinah, she didn't believe Lord Carroll had any redeeming qualities.

Smiling graciously, she said, "I do not wish to quarrel with you, my lord. I am happy that you accepted the invitation for this house party."

He looked almost relieved, which caused her to chuckle. She coughed into her hand to cover it.

"Might I fetch you something to drink, Miss Allegra?"

She waved him away. "No, my lord. That will not be necessary." Glancing up, she saw that Miss Bancroft was seating herself at the pianoforte. "What I would like is to focus on Miss Bancroft's performance at the pianoforte. That means I require your absolute silence and no distractions."

Looking to their guest, Allegra concentrated on the piece the woman played, all the while conscious of the handsome devil beside her. It bothered her greatly that her pulse continued to pound, especially when she caught a whiff of the cologne he wore. Neither her father nor James ever wore any, yet on this man it seemed not only right—but tempting.

She couldn't help but imagine what it would be like to kiss him. Neither she nor Lyric had ever been kissed. There simply hadn't been an opportunity for that experience to occur. They had spent three years locked away from Polite Society, and then she had imposed her own imprisonment on herself and Lyric, upset that their father had squandered their dowries and would not offer up the coin it would take to clothe his daughters appropriately for the Season.

When they had gone to Madame Dumas' dress shop to be fitted for their come-out wardrobes, Allegra had been shocked at the number of gowns required during a Season, not to mention the dozens of other gowns to be made up for the routs, card parties, musicales, and garden parties. That did not even include day dresses to greet suitors during morning calls the day following an evening social event.

She had put down a firm foot, not wanting her cousin to pay such an exorbitant amount for both her and Lyric. It had led to many discussions between her and Lyric about what they were to do with themselves. Lyric had thought they might teach music lessons to young ladies to earn their living, while Allegra had toyed with the idea of them becoming governesses.

In the end, it was their brother Caleb who told them to go ahead and make a quieter debut into Polite Society. He was the one who had suggested the idea of a house party to Aunt Dinah as a way for her nieces to make their appearance in the ton in an understated manner. After much discussion, she and Lyric had agreed with Caleb. A house party would allow them to get to know a small, select group of others close to their age. Aunt Dinah had said to place everything in her hands, from the guest list to the activities.

So far, Allegra liked the three women in attendance, as well as the gentlemen. Except for Lord Carroll. He irritated her in a way no one ever had. The earl was far too self-assured and smug for her taste. She would stay the course and be unfailingly polite, but she had no reason to get to know him on a deeper level.

They listened to Miss Markle play, and she did as admirable a job as Miss Bancroft. Lady Lida, on the other hand, played abominably, but she had the voice of an angel, so her inept playing could be forgiven.

Lord Carroll leaned closer, which was hard for him to do since he took up most of the settee, and said, "You will be much better than any of them."

Frowning, she turned to him. "You could not possibly know well I do or do not play."

"I overheard Her Grace—Mrs. Andrews, that is—speaking of your talent to one of her friends."

Allegra snorted. "Now I know you are untruthful, as well as being a conceited rascal. If Aunt Dinah were bragging about any of us, it would be Georgie or Mirella. They are the true musicians in the family. While I play well, I cannot hold a candle to either of them."

His gaze pinned her. "You have that wrong, Miss Allegra. No one can hold a candle to you."

She shook her head, fighting to tamp down the attraction that continued to grow. "Every time you open your mouth, you prove me right. Save your flattery for the women you wish to fall under your spell, my lord."

"You think me a warlock, Miss Allegra?" He chuckled. "I can guarantee that I am not one, so it is impossible for me to cast a spell upon you."

Allegra almost growled at him. "You are vexing me, my lord." Picking up that the others were ready to turn in, she stood and smiled sweetly. "Good night, Lord Carroll."

He rose. "I thought you were going to give me a second chance."

She heard his annoyed tone and wanted to celebrate. "No, my lord. You said I should give you a second chance. I did not agree to do so, however. In fact, you never would have had a chance with me because you are merely looking for stolen kisses and a good time. I, on the other hand, am looking to broaden my horizons and make new acquaintances—and hopefully, find someone who appeals to me. A gentleman who appreciates family and the sanctity of marriage. You are not a gentleman, despite your manner of dress and title. You are a rakehell. You couldn't care less about being faithful in a marriage, much less being an involved father to any children you sired with your wife."

Allegra glared at him. "You are the antithesis of what I want in a husband. Frankly, even though it would unbalance our numbers, I think it best if you return to town to get into whatever mischief you might be up to. I am certain you left behind friends who have as little substance as you do. Besides, your mistress probably misses you. Why, I could not guess."

Allegra quickly moved away from him, saying her good nights to their other guests, her heart pounding so fiercely that she prayed it would not spring forth from her chest.

When she slipped her arm through Lyric's to go upstairs, she sensed Lord Carroll's eyes upon her. She only hoped he would follow her recommendation and excuse himself from the house party.

Before the overwhelming urge to kiss him did her in.