“Alice, there is a tea at the Van Allens’ home. I told you this morning at breakfast. Do you never listen?”

Alice had hardly been paying attention, her mind stuck on memories of Kit. The idea of a society event today, with small talk and uncomfortable stares, sounded like absolute torture. “Must I go?”

Mama’s eyes widened. “Of course you must go. You are about to become a duchess, so we must show you off. The lilac dress, I think, Mary,” she called out to Alice’s maid.

The bell rang. Mama perked up and rushed to take a seat opposite Alice. She arranged her skirts and motioned for Mary to hurry. The maid answered the door and the duke’s smooth voice filled the space. “The Duke of Lockwood here to see Miss Lusk.”

Mary bobbed a curtsy. “Come in, Your Grace.”

Mama rose, doing her best at a welcoming smile. “Your Grace. How lovely of you to call this morning.”

Lockwood entered and promptly bowed. “Mrs. Lusk, Miss Lusk.” He looked dashing in a blue suit, his hair swept off his face. Freshly shaven, as if he’d just come from the barber shop downstairs in the hotel. Alice waited for some reaction, a zing of lust or attraction, but it never came. While she appreciated Lockwood’s appearance and personality, he didn’t set her heart aflame.

Only one man managed to do that.

You must stop thinking about him.

“Hello, Your Grace,” she said, and retook her seat.

“Good morning. I am wondering if you have dinner plans this evening. I realize it is last minute, but I would love to dine with you both in the hotel dining room.”

“I am not certain I feel up to dinner tonight,” her mother said, coughing delicately into her hand. “But Alice would love to go. Wouldn’t you, Alice?”

Not feeling up to dinner? That meant Alice would dine alone with the duke. Granted, they would be surrounded by a roomful of people, but still. What was her mother doing? “Uh, yes. Of course. I would love to, Your Grace.”

“Excellent. Eight o’clock? I’ll come by and escort you down.”

“I shall look forward to it.”

After a few minutes of small talk about the weather and his plans for the afternoon, he departed. Mama’s eyes were ablaze with satisfaction as she turned to Alice. “This is very good news. If he brings up the subject of marriage, try to look surprised.”

“Mama, he isn’t going to do that, not over dinner in a public dining room. And why aren’t you coming with us? You aren’t ill.”

“This is the perfect opportunity to give you both time alone while still remaining in public. As I said, act surprised if he floats the idea of a marriage between you.”

“I’ll try,” she muttered.