As he floated swiftly over the countryside, his fears for Alice had begun to recede. He should not have left her alone so soon. She had probably found it extremely difficult to accustom herself to society. Perhaps she had forgotten her French accent.

When he arrived at Alice’s house it was to be met with the intelligence that Alice and Miss Snapper were visiting Webb’s parents’ home. Webb’s parents were the Earl and Countess of Markhampton. Their home lay a few miles outside Tunbridge Wells.

The Duke was thankful that he had passed his early days since he had left Alice traveling extensively over the countryside. He had become adept at finding his way about the sky and espying familiar landmarks on the ground at night, particularly on a fine starry night like this one.

The black, straggly mass of the town of Tunbridge Wells was soon reached and then he veered east, searching for Runley Manor, Webb’s parents’ home.

At long last he found himself above it. He wondered if they kept country hours but, as he sank lower, he saw that the windows of the Manor were ablaze with lights and there seemed to be a ball in progress in a great room on the ground floor.

The long windows were open to the night air. He floated gently down and stood on the shaven grass of the lawn. He decided to watch Alice first. He did not want to startle her by approaching her. He moved quietly up the terrace steps and eased himself through the windows, standing partly concealed by the curtain.

At first he did not recognize her—and then all at once she was almost in front of him. She looked happy and animated although the Duke, putting up his quizzing glass, could not quite believe the fussiness of her dress or the clumsiness of her hairstyle. Alice was dancing with a fresh-faced young man in an ill-fitting suit. They were waltzing and he seemed to be dancing on her toes most of the time, but he looked easy and amiable. The Duke thought this must be Lord Harold Webb. Well, he was not the most elegant of creatures but he looked a good-hearted soul. He would do very well.

The Duke was torn between leaving immediately now that he had found Alice in good spirits, or staying to give her a lecture on the dowdiness of her dress.

It was then he noticed the shadows under her eyes and that her eyes themselves were suspiciously puffy.

He stayed, his bright blue gaze fixed on her every movement. The waltz finished at last and Alice began to promenade with her partner as was the custom. Suddenly, a tall, very handsome man with a rather pompous face came up to Alice accompanied by Miss Snapper. Miss Snapper seemed to say a few short sharp words at which Alice flushed miserably and stared at the floor. Her unresisting hand was taken from her partner’s arm and placed by Miss Snapper firmly on that of the handsome young man who led Alice off to the side of the ballroom, talking fiercely in an undertone and, to the Duke’s horror, he caught the glint of tears in Alice’s eyes.