Was there any doubt left as to why?

However, allowing more lessons only meant allowing her feelings for him to deepen and solidify. Soon she’d drown in feelings, unable to climb out of the emotional chasm before heartbreak wrecked her life. That could not happen. She needed to remain practical about these things, keep her eye on the future—her future—and bear in mind her two priorities: to find a husband who wanted her, not merely her dowry, and to start a new life to please herself—instead of pleasing her mother.

An obsession with Kit would place all those goals in jeopardy.

Keep pushing forward. Put yourself first.

The carriage pulled up to the hotel, across the street from Madison Square. There was the usual late-afternoon hustle and bustle out front as guests arrived and departed. The hotel was one of the best known in the city, popular with dignitaries from around the world and local politicians.

After she disembarked, she snuck into the kitchen, which was busy in anticipation of dinner service. No one paid her a bit of attention, and she soon was climbing the staff stairs to the fifth floor. Her maid would return any minute, so Alice needed to get into her room and make it appear as if she’d been there all day.

The corridor was quiet, so she lifted her skirts and hurried to her room. When she turned the corner, she skidded to a halt.

The Duke of Lockwood was outside her door.

At the sound, he turned and blinked at the sight of her. “Miss Lusk. I knocked on your door.” He gestured to the wood as if to illustrate his point. “They told me downstairs that you were here.”

“I was. I mean, I am.” She took several steps forward and tried to calm her racing heart. “I went to the kitchen to fetch tea.”

Frowning, he glanced at her empty hands and then looked behind her. “I would have assumed your maid would take care of tasks such as that.”

“I gave her the day off. She wanted to visit the Central Park Menagerie, and there was no need for both of us to sit in a boring hotel room all day.” Lord, what was he doing here? She twisted her fingers in her skirts, hoping to hide her nerves.

“Then my visit is well-timed, I hope. Would you care to take a drive in the park with me?”

“Now?”

“Yes—or any other day. I realize this is a bit forward of me, springing it on you like this but—”

“Yes,” she blurted. This was her chance. To forget Kit, to pursue a husband. To know her own worth. “I mean, I’d be honored, Your Grace.”

Lockwood smiled, his handsome face easing. “Excellent. Do you need to fetch anything before we set off?”

She must look a rumpled mess. “I’ll just need a moment to fetch a hat.”