When he sat, she said, “I apologize. I thought Mr. Clarke informed you of my offer.”

“He did not. What he said was the chef issue was handled and I should stop searching. Did you have someone in mind?”

“Yes.” She folded her hands atop the table. “Me.”

“You? You are going to act as the chef for our preview dinner.”

“Again, yes.”

This was madness. He gave her a bland look. “Will your mother be a waiter? Because I know she will not let you out of her sight.”

Her lips twisted into a devious smile he’d never seen before. “I called my father and asked for a favor. He is prepared to call my mother home to Boston for three days at my request.”

“How did you sneak out this afternoon?” He couldn’t believe Mrs. Lusk would ever allow it.

“She went shopping and I claimed a headache. I am supposed to be at the hotel. She made me promise and will be checking in with the staff to ensure I am there.”

“Then how will you get away with it?”

“My mother is not the only person with friends inside the hotel.”

He chuckled. “I see. So you will sneak out during those three days and come here. What if you’re caught?”

“I won’t be.”

He appreciated her confidence, but she could suffer real consequences if anything went wrong. Young girls had been shipped off to convents for less. Not to mention that just two weeks ago she had proclaimed sneaking out too risky. “Thank you, but no. We’ll find someone else.”

She cocked her head. “I don’t understand. Mr. Clarke said you were desperate.”

“Not desperate enough to land you in trouble with your parents. They would not approve, Alice.”

“I don’t care. A friend recently told me to live each day like it’s my last. So here I am.”

“While I appreciate your newly adopted carpe diem attitude, this is a bit more than visiting the hotel kitchen or baking bread. This is many hours of work here at the club. Never mind that your mother might refuse to go to Boston. Worse, what if she insists on taking you with her?”

“She won’t refuse Daddy, not if he tells her to return. And she’s left me for days at a time before. Usually I stay in the hotel room with my maid and no one ever knows.”

“This is madness,” he repeated, this time aloud.

“No, this is a solution to your dilemma. I can prepare Angelo’s food. You’d be hard-pressed to find anyone who could do it better. And I’m able to ask him for advice, if necessary.”