Andrea Pickens - [Lessons in Love 02] Read Online Free

attention back to its pages.
    Something else was nagging at him. How could she say Max was bored? Why, the lad like to study as much as he did. Granted, there was little excitement or turmoil at Stormaway Hall, but that had suited both of them quite nicely.
    It wasn't boring here, merely... quiet.
    His brows came together in a menacing line. A mere chit wasn't going to upset their ordered existence. Max was simply going through some growing pains. He would make an effort to take him out for a bit of riding and grouse shooting. Or perhaps a regular game of chess after supper. The lad would come around in short order.
    As for Mrs. Proctor—well, he couldn't deny that she would bring a spark of new ideas to the schoolroom, and that was for the better. After all, he wasn't so crusty as not to realize that the same old books could become a trifle... dull. But if she thought for a moment that his generosity of this morning could be interpreted as a sign of weakness, she would learn who was boss here in very short order.
    He brought himself up with an audible chuckle. The wine and brandy were addling his head, causing him to exaggerate the entire situation out of all proportion.
    Really, now. How much trouble could the daughter of a scholarly vicar cause?

 
     
     
    Chapter 2

     
    Max put his pen down. "I'm famished. I think I shall ring for some of Cook's scones and a pot of tea. Would you care for some as well?"
    Allegra smiled as she surveyed the gangly limbs hunched over the leatherbound copy of Dante's Inferno . The lad seemed to have sprouted another few inches since her arrival. Why, pretty soon he would be equaling his father's not inconsiderable height. "Tea would be lovely," she said. "But as for scones, well, breakfast was only two hours ago."
    He grinned. "I can always find room. Especially for scones or gooseberry tarts."
    His unruly mane of dark hair fell across his brow as he returned to studying the pages, nearly obscuring his eyes from view. They were a shade lighter than the earl's, and usually filled with a great deal more good humor. The few times she had crossed paths with Lord Wrexham during the past two weeks, his had positively glinted with disapproval. But he seemed to be as good as his word—as long as she did not upset the routine of the household, it appeared he was content to... ignore her. That suited her just fine, especially as it didn't look like he had made any progress in arranging for her replacement.
    Max had certainly not ignored her presence. The lad was as hungry to expand the horizons of his knowledge as he was to consume the cook's excellent pastries. Unlike other young men of the nobility with whom she had had acquaintance, he showed none of the studied boredom or petulance that so pervaded their manner. Neither was he spoiled nor haughty—she had to credit the earl with that. Max came to his studies each morning with an unflagging enthusiasm and inquisitiveness that couldn't help but win her approval, and even her respect.
    More than that, she liked him. She hadn't expected to, but she did. As well as being intelligent beyond his years, he was unassuming and open, rather like a big puppy who hadn't yet learned his strength. There was something endearing about the way he looked when voicing his opinion, how his features revealed the battle of manly self-confidence seeking ascendancy over childlike timidity. It reminded her so much of another young man....
    She was suddenly aware that Max was speaking to her. "I'm sorry. I'm afraid I was woolgathering."
    He grinned again. "I do that all the time. Father is forever teasing me about having my head in the clouds."
    A maid brought in the tea tray and Allegra poured both of them a cup.
    "What I asked was, have you lived for a long time in London?"
    "Actually just for the past four months," she replied. "I went to live with my cousin and tutor her son after my father died. I have spent most of my life in Kent, where my father was a