Taking in the son of the tragic poet Edward Gresham, and so soon after assuming guardianship of his niece, only increased his already esteemed character. Now in the autumn of his life, Sir Alfred was thoroughly above reproach. Virtually untouchable.

And if he weren’t a man of honor, that could make him very dangerous.

“Alec! Isn’t this a welcome surprise.” He reached out and gave him an enthusiastic handshake. Anyone else would think Sir Alfred was speaking the truth, but Alec had spent almost as much time at the poker table fleecing his wealthy classmates as he had in the Bodleian Library. Now he was much more adept at noticing the small details that gave people away. Sir Alfred’s tell was a slight tapping of his right foot. The man was profoundly annoyed, and Alec couldn’t fathom why. He had been wallowing in icy mud for months now. Other members of the excavation team were given leave if they could be spared. And Alec certainly hadn’t shirked any of his duties in coming here.

Sir Alfred pulled him closer and lowered his voice to a theatrical whisper. “Don’t tell me you came from downstairs. How egalitarian of you.” Alec ignored the remark as the crowd of sycophants chuckled along with him.

“I hope you don’t mind the imposition, sir, but I couldn’t miss Lottie’s first ball.” Alec gave him a sincere look and held on to his hand a moment longer than was polite. “I’m staying with a friend nearby, so I won’t trouble you for a room.”

Never mind that the massive town house had upward of eight bedrooms.

“Of course not.” Sir Alfred flashed him a cool smile. “She will be delighted.”

As a committed bachelor, Sir Alfred wasn’t in the habit of entertaining, but he had spared no expense that night for his beloved niece. The ballroom of the lavish town house was transformed into an enchanted garden with live trees, fresh flowers, and lights covered by shades with drawings of fairies. Alec couldn’t stop smiling as he moved through the crush of people. If only he could have seen the look on Lottie’s face when she first entered. She must have been delighted. He searched and searched but couldn’t catch sight of Lottie’s cinnamon hair.

Finally he recognized Miss Abigail Thorne, Lottie’s closest friend from school, though in her low-cut gown and massive crown of curls, she bore little resemblance to the awkward creature he had met only last summer. “Miss Thorne! I’m looking for the lady of the hour. Where is she?”

“Why hello, Mr. Gresham.” She gave him a simpering smile and fluttered her eyelashes. “I didn’t know you would be here.” Someone moved behind her, and the young lady took the opportunity to press against Alec’s side.

“It’s a surprise.” Alec smiled tightly as she placed her hand on his arm.

But she didn’t seem to hear a word over the din of the crowd, though she did use the noise level as an excuse to lean closer to his ear. “Wherever have you been all this time? Don’t tell me Lottie’s been keeping you away with her upstairs.”