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

vicar."
    "What about when you were married—" He stopped abruptly and blush spread over his face. "I'm sorry," he stammered. "I fear that's bad manners, isn't it, to ask you such a personal question."
    She smiled reassuringly. "You may ask me what you please, Max. I'm afraid I'm frightfully hard to put out." A glint of humor crept into her eyes. "Though I don't promise to answer everything."
    He looked very relieved he hadn't offended her.
    "As for my husband, he was my father's curate. And my matrimonial state did not last long. He was carried off by a bout of influenza six months after we were married."
    Max bit his lip. "My mother died of that as well."
    It was Allegra's turn to feel awkward. "I'm sorry. That must have been very difficult for you. How old were you at the time?"
    "Eight."
    Something about his manner told her he wanted to talk about it. "Do you miss her terribly?"
    To her surprise, he didn't answer her right away. His fingers tightened around the china cup as he stared at the pattern of tea leaves on its bottom. "She was very beautiful and very lively—everyone said she was the toast of the ton . She loved the balls and the dinners and the concerts in Town. I... didn't see her very much." His breath caught in his throat, then the rest of his words came out in a rush. "But I understand. She was so very... busy."
    Allegra felt a welling of sympathy for him, as well as a touch of anger for the lady who obviously had little care for her child. "I'm sure she would have been very proud of what a fine young man you have turned into," she said softly.
    Max looked at her eagerly. "You think so?"
    "Without a doubt." She paused. "It must have been difficult for your father, too."
    Max's eyes dropped once more and he crumbled what was left of his scone between his fingers. "He doesn't discuss it with me."
    "Sometimes it is very difficult for a person to talk about... a great loss. No doubt he misses her as much as you do." Perhaps that explained why the earl had never remarried despite the fact that, with his title and fortune, he must have had more than his share of caps thrown at him by scheming mamas.
    He pushed away the plate of scones and propped his chin on his hand. "You don't like him, do you?"
    Allegra was startled by his question and took her time in answering. "I don't know your father," she replied carefully. That much was true, at least.
    Max eyed her with a penetrating gaze that was unnervingly like his father's. "He hasn't exactly shown you his best side. He's a decent sort, for fathers." He hesitated, as if mulling over his own words and his eyes dropped to the desktop. "Actually, he's more than decent. He's a great gun, though you wouldn't know it from his behavior towards you."
    She smiled at the lad's naiveté. "Max, an earl does not go out of his way to be charming to the hired help. Furthermore, he does not believe my presence here is in your best interest. It is to his credit that he cares enough about your feelings to allow me to stay until he can find another tutor."
    "I suppose," admitted Max. "But I don't want you to leave. You are... nice."
    It was a long time since anyone had said anything as touching as that. "Why, thank you, Max. I should be sorry to leave you as well. We shall just have to wait and see."
    The lad gave a reluctant sigh and bent back over his book.
    * * *
    Things were proceeding ever so slowly, thought Allegra as she walked along the narrow path. She hadn't realized how isolated the area was and how great the distances were. It had taken her all this time just to get her bearings and figure out the shortest routes. She would need a horse, however. That much had become clear.
    That shouldn't prove an insurmountable obstacle. She had been out riding with Max several times and was beginning to know her way around the stables. The earl's grooms kept the place in perfect order but she had noticed that there was little attention to keeping things under lock and key. It wouldn't