Free A Duchess Enraged by Alicia Quigley Page A

another."
    "I understand
him well enough," said Allegra. "He doesn't want me, and yet he
wishes to bend me to his will. He won't find that an easy task."
    There was a soft step
outside in the hallway, and the unmistakable sound of the door to the duke's chamber
opening and closing again. Anger and disappointment flared in Allegra's eyes.
    "You see! He
pleaded weariness and yet he is just now coming in. He preaches propriety to
me, but I can guess where he's been these last few hours. Weary indeed! I am sure
he is weary now!"
    Emily hugged her
daughter-in-law. "You must try to be patient, Allegra. You are quite a
shock to him. Perhaps I should have prepared him better, but I was sure he
would be happy to see you so lovely. Please try to be more accommodating."
    Allegra shrugged.
"I would do all I could for you, Mama, but I will not humble myself for
His Grace the Duke. He will have to understand me a little, too."

Chapter 5
    A Night at the Opera
    The next days passed swiftly, as Adam and Allegra pursued
their personal interests, each to the disdain of the other. Adam sneered at the
constant parade of fashionable men who came in and out of the house and
clustered around Allegra at every gathering. Allegra pointedly ignored Adam's
wishes regarding her conduct and looked coldly upon his frequent visits to Half
Moon Street. Their conversation, to Emily's dismay, was limited to commonplaces
over dinner and the occasional quarrel in the drawing room afterwards. And the
door connecting their two bedrooms remained firmly closed each night.
    One fine evening Allegra emerged from her boudoir
perfumed, with a toweringly elegant coiffure in which a tiny garden complete
with a miniature statue, perched among her powdered curls. She was dressed in a
stunning gown of deep blue silk over a gold-embroidered underdress. She carried
a fan designed expressly for the ensemble, and pearls were stitched across her
delicate satin slippers. Allegra was attending the opera with her husband and
the Dowager, and she had reason to think the evening might be less than
enjoyable, as Adam had expressed extreme annoyance with her that afternoon over
the matter of her lap dogs sleeping in his study. If she was not to have a good
time, she reasoned, she could at least look as elegant as possible. 
    She entered the dining room to find that her husband was
its only occupant. He looked at her coldly, her magnificent toilette apparently
leaving him unmoved. "Where is Mama?" Allegra asked, hoping Emily
would be arriving soon so as to prevent her from having to spend much time
alone with her husband.
    "My mother is suffering from a headache,"
answered Adam. "I'm afraid she won't be attending the opera with us this
evening." Adam was astounded to see Allegra's expression change abruptly
from distant politeness to one of great concern.
    "A headache! Is that all that it is? Are you sure
she is not ill? Have you called for a doctor?"
    "I didn't think a doctor was necessary," said
Adam. "And my mother didn't ask for one. I'm sure that she'll be well
soon."
    "I must go to her!" Allegra tossed her elegant
fan heedlessly on the table and ran towards the door. "Perhaps I can be of
some help."
    Adam, mystified, signaled to a servant to hold dinner and
followed in her wake. He was amazed by Allegra’s sudden metamorphosis from lady
of fashion to concerned daughter. He found his wife in Emily's room, kneeling
by her bed and pressing a perfumed cloth to her temples. His mother was gazing
at her fondly, and attempting not to laugh.
    "Really, child, there's no need to fret. It's
nothing more than a headache, indeed, and I shall very soon be well
again."
    "I wouldn't want it to be anything more than
that," said Allegra. "Please, let me send for Dr. Monson. I would be
much easier if he reassured me."
    "There is no need for a doctor, Allegra. I'll be
fine in the morning. You mustn't hover so, child. Go out to the opera. Enjoy
the entertainment."
    "Be entertained? As though I would