Her eyes snapped back to his, as if she had heard his thoughts, and her stare bore into his from across the room.

Mr. Drakos began pointing to a suit of armor against the far wall, and she reluctantly let him lead her to the other side of the room. Alec inhaled slowly and pushed her from his mind. He had done it exceedingly well for years. Surely he could manage the next few hours.

Alec turned to Madame Noir, who was still taking in their surroundings. “Shall we sit, Madame? I’d love to hear more about your life in Berlin.”

She squeezed his arm with her free hand. “And I would be happy to oblige, Professor.”

His plan to sit as far away from Lottie as possible was derailed at the very last minute, no thanks to a bickering couple from Brussels who cut in front of him without so much as a glance.

Madame Noir leaned closer to him. “One can expect nothing less than utter rudeness from the Flemish,” she whispered then clucked her tongue in disapproval.

The only two remaining seats were directly across from Lottie and Mr. Drakos.

Alec held back his grimace and led Madame Noir to their seats. As they approached, she inhaled sharply and held up her fan. “Do you see the man seated on the other side of your cousin?”

Alec glanced over and gave a subtle nod. A late arrival. Alec would have noticed him on the terrace, as he was the only other man under fifty besides himself, but his attire made sure to loudly announce his presence. He was dressed in a purple velvet evening jacket with a matching striped waistcoat. It was the very height of continental fashion—and made him look ridiculous.

“The Honorable Mr. Morley,” Madame Noir explained. “Highly eligible. I think he is in line for one of your dukedoms,” she added in an awed whisper.

Annoyance prickled through Alec. “Is that so?” The man seemed unbearably obnoxious. Of course he would end up a duke.

She playfully tapped his arm with the tip of her fan. “Don’t try to hide your delight, monsieur. I can see those wheels already turning in your head. There are mamas who would give their right arms to have their own daughters seated next to him at dinner. The poor man spends most of his time abroad to escape them.”

Poor indeed.

Just then, Lottie let out a laugh. Mr. Morley was much too close—why, his lips were practically brushing her ear.

“Oh, it has already begun!” Madame Noir said in delight.