Uncle Alfred tsked. “You make me sound like an overbearing brute. I didn’t want you to get hurt.” She opened her mouth to protest, but he held up his hand. “There’s no use denying it. I saw how you looked at him last night. But you mustn’t believe everything you see. Haven’t I taught you that?”

Lottie bristled. This was absurd. “You’ve taught me to be wary of people I didn’t know. But this is Alec.” She had never once spoken to her uncle in such an obstinate tone.

“And he has changed very much,” he immediately countered. “You’ve always given Alec the benefit of the doubt, Lottie. It’s in your nature to see the best in everyone, just like your poor mother.”

Lottie stiffened. Uncle Alfred rarely mentioned his beloved sister, but he had never said such a thing before. Did he not approve of Lottie’s father? How could that be?

“He came here specifically to make arrangements with me,” Uncle Alfred continued. “It was merely a coincidence that he happened to be in town the night of your ball.”

Lottie shook her head. “No, he said he wanted it to be a surprise—”

“Then why did he arrive so late?” her uncle pressed. “And why has he already left? Whatever he told you, whatever he may have wanted you to think, you weren’t a part of his plans, Lottie. You were only an afterthought.”

Her cheeks stung, as if he had slapped her. The words pressed on a raw spot so deep, she had forgotten to guard it.

But Uncle Alfred still watched her closely, with those sharp, all-seeing eyes of his. “What did he say to you, exactly?”

Lottie hesitated. Uncle Alfred had always protected her, and yet a voice inside whispered, Don’t. “Nothing,” she answered. “Only that he didn’t want to miss the ball. I suppose I thought…” She hung her head, too embarrassed to finish the sentence.

I thought he came for me.

Uncle Alfred squeezed her hand. “He wanted you to feel special. Especially after that horrible Lord Exeter was so rude.” Lottie looked up in surprise, but of course Sir Alfred knew. Nothing escaped his notice. Ever. “And you did, didn’t you?” He waited for her reluctant nod. “It certainly wasn’t malicious, Lottie, but it was still inconsiderate in the end. That’s why he’s right for this kind of work, you see. Men like Alec need to act quickly. Decisively. Without regrets. They can’t waste time worrying about anyone else because it could expose them to danger. He saw the chance to do some good, to brighten your day, and he took action.”

Lottie frowned at this explanation. It didn’t match up at all with the Alec she knew.