Turning away, knowing he’d eavesdropped enough on a private conversation, he decided to restrict entry into his establishment to those of a more mature age. He didn’t need young ladies making stupid mistakes. On the other hand, was it his responsibility if others didn’t keep a close watch on them? Although even when mothers did and approached him about denying their daughters access to his club, they often changed their mind with a bit of pampering. Lady Fontaine certainly had. He’d received a missive from her that afternoon stating that both she and her daughter would be returning in the near future. The foot rub had done the trick—but then, it always did.

He located Alice in a back corner, sitting on the floor, her skirts fanned out around her, an open book in her lap. “It’ll take you forever if you read each book before you put it in its place.”

Jerking her head up as she snapped the book closed, she looked at him through large innocent eyes, her cheeks turning a burnished pink. “I hadn’t had a chance to read this one yet. It came out too late for me to receive it as a gift for Christmas.”

Crouching before her, he noted the title. Through the Looking-Glass. “Perhaps Fancy will allow you to purchase it today, even though her shop’s not yet open. You could be her first customer.”

Slowly, she shook her head. “It’s an extravagance, and I can’t ask it of Selena. Her coins are precious of late.” Her blush deepened. “I probably shouldn’t have revealed that. It’s terribly crass to talk of money.”

“It’ll be our secret.” Although he was impressed with her sacrifice. While his family was now teeming with nobs, his opinion of nobles as a whole was not favorable. He viewed them in light of the pennies they could add to his coffers, not the ones absent from theirs.

“You’re nice.”

He winked at her. “That should remain our secret as well.”

She giggled, and damn if he didn’t understand why Selena wanted to ensure her sisters made good marriages. He’d known too many women who had been abused or lived harsh lives, women who aged before their time, worn out by the burdens that life had given them to bear. It was the reason they’d supported Gillie when she wanted to open her tavern, and now Fancy with her bookshop. They all wanted Fancy to marry well, but if no man was wise enough to ask for her hand, she’d have her business to see her through, and her siblings each had the means to ensure she never did without. Alice couldn’t rely on her brother in the same manner, in spite of his title.

“Excuse me, sir.”

Glancing back, Aiden stepped aside as Mick’s secretary, carrying a cumbersome box, edged past him.