Nerves jumping, Alice lowered herself into a plush armchair. She pressed her lips together, silent. Had Mama discovered Alice’s sneaking out this week? Worse, had Mama learned about Kit?

Impossible. Stop worrying. No one will ever know.

“I hear you left the hotel while I was away.”

Alice’s stomach plummeted to her toes. Her mouth dried out, like a meringue that had been left in the oven too long. “I . . .”

“Tell me how this happened. I hadn’t realized you were so friendly with His Grace.”

His Grace?

Oh. Her drive with Lockwood.

She relaxed, slumping in the chair as the relief nearly made her giddy. “Well, I—”

“Sit up straight. The duke will never want you if you slouch.”

Wasn’t her mother getting a bit ahead of herself? “Mama, it was one drive. We went around the park and he brought me right back. We were in public the entire time.”

“I am aware. I saw His Grace this morning and he informed me of that fact. Obviously I am unhappy you went anywhere unchaperoned. However, if you must allow yourself to be ruined, best to be ruined by a duke. Now, His Grace has asked us to dine with him this evening, so let’s discuss what you are going to wear.”

Wait, what? “Tonight?”

Mama sighed, eyes closing as if dealing with Alice was more than she could bear. “Listen to me for once, you stupid child. Dinner, this evening. With the Duke of Lockwood. Please, do not jeopardize this, Alice. You must know what is riding on your impressing him at every turn.”

“Of course, Mama.”

“Yes, here it is!” Her mother pointed to a section of newsprint. “Indeed, it’s right for everyone in the city to see.”

Alice peered at the newspaper. “What is it?”

“A mention of your outing with Lockwood. I didn’t see it in Boston, but everyone in New York will have learned of it by now.” Mama’s mouth twisted with dark amusement. “They all thought that Webster girl would snag him, but it turns out your dowry has lured him in.”

Of course it couldn’t have been Alice herself. “It’s hardly settled, Mother.”

“The duke won’t be able to refuse such a large sum, believe me. In fact, I’ll write to your father and ask him to sweeten the pot a little. Surely there is a piece of property or two that the duke has his eye on.”

No, this was exactly what Alice didn’t want to happen. She did not want Daddy to buy her a fiancé. “Shouldn’t we wait to gauge the duke’s interest before we start offering him a treasure chest full of gold and jewels?”

“Alice, this is how these matters are handled. It is a business transaction, and we must entice His Grace into taking you off our hands. As you know, you are hardly a great beauty.”