Was he seriously considering this? He didn’t wish to see her reputation ruined, but she knew the risks, perhaps better than he. So if she was willing to help, then who was he to stop her? And they were desperate. No chef seemed capable of the undertaking on such short notice, and Kit had seen Alice in the kitchen firsthand. She loved cooking and knew food, and he trusted her.

Those big eyes watched him carefully, her chest rising and falling quickly. Nerves? Or excitement? Was she experiencing the same giddy exuberance he currently felt in her presence?

He couldn’t turn her down. Hadn’t a hope of it, actually. Perhaps it was the scoundrel in him but he liked encouraging both her independence and interest in cooking. But if she was going to do this, he had to keep her safe.

And that included from him.

“If you are certain,” he said, “then we would be grateful for your help. I will, however, be hiring a driver to ferry you to and from the hotel.”

“If you feel it’s necessary.”

“I do. As far as the menu, do you feel comfortable setting the evening’s courses? Or would you like my input?”

She reached into her handbag and withdrew a few pieces of paper, which she slid across the small table. “Here.”

“What is this?” The papers listed various dishes and ingredients. “You came prepared. What if I’d said no?”

“Mr. Clarke said you might, in which case I should keep arguing until I wore you down.”

Preston certainly had organized this neatly. What was he up to? Kit would deal with his friend later. Holding up the paper, he asked her, “So this is the order list?”

“Yes. It’s for fifty people, which Mr. Clarke said was the number you’re expecting.”

“It is. Would next week work for you, or do you need more time?”

He half expected her to say it was too soon, but she nodded. “Of course. Wednesday, Thursday, Friday?”

“Perfect. I’ll send out the invitations.” He paused. “Part of the appeal of a supper club is who is preparing the supper. I had planned on mentioning Franconi. It would be helpful to list the chef, as well.”

“You cannot possibly think to list my name. No one would come if they saw you’d hired a woman. And an inexperienced one at that. You’d be a laughingstock.”

“You are not inexperienced.”

“You know what I mean.”

“More importantly, listing your name would ruin your reputation.”

“Yes, so let’s make up a name. Say that I am Franconi’s apprentice, which is sort of true.”

“That works. What name shall we use?”