“I will decide what is in my daughter’s best interest, thank you very much. Which, incidentally, does not include any more floral deliveries from a worthless scoundrel like you.”

“You sent her flowers?” Lockwood peered at Kit, then his face cleared. Nodding, he gave a deprecating, humorless laugh. “I see. It’s nearly happened again, hasn’t it? Astoundingly poor luck on my part.”

“I apologize,” Kit said. No use pretending he didn’t know what Lockwood was talking about, and he wouldn’t deny his feelings toward Alice. “It’s nothing personal.”

“Really? Between you and your friend Archer, it feels quite personal. However, I won’t dig in my heels this time.” Straightening his vest, he inclined his head toward Alice. “Miss Lusk, I wish you the very best of luck.”

“Your Grace,” Alice rushed out. “I am deeply sorry for all of this. It was never my intent to harm you or embroil you in another scandal. Yet it seems I’ve done both.”

The edge of Lockwood’s mouth hitched. “One thing I will say about this country: it is never boring. Good evening to you all.”

When the duke started to leave, Mrs. Lusk’s eyes went wide. “Wait, do not leave yet. She is normally well behaved. She won’t give Your Grace a lick of trouble.”

Lockwood paused at the door. “It’s not the trouble that is the problem, madam. Good evening.”

Mrs. Lusk whirled in Kit’s direction, her lips pressed tight. “This is your doing, you complete imbecile. You have ruined my daughter’s chances at becoming a duchess. Ruined her chances at happiness. How dare you?”

“Madam, if you would just listen—”

“I do not need to listen to you, Mr. Ward. You are a lazy, shiftless, idiotic man who takes whatever he wants without thought to the consequences. You’ve drawn Alice in with your false flattery and—”

“Mama,” Alice shouted, the word reverberating off the tile. “Stop saying those horrible things to Mr. Ward and to me. To everyone. Just stop being so horrible.”

All the waiters and kitchen staff froze at the outburst, the room still except for the sizzle of food on the range. Mrs. Lusk’s mouth fell open, then she narrowed her gaze. “How dare you speak to me that way? I am your mother, and everything I have done has been for you.”

“No, it’s been for you. Please do not pretend otherwise. If you cared about my happiness at all, you would not act like this, as if I am a constant embarrassment to you.”

“You stupid girl. I have tried to make you a better person, which has clearly failed. Tonight, you have run off the best marriage prospect in the last three seasons. Now what will you do? Who will marry you now?”

“I am going to marry her.” The words were out of Kit’s mouth before he could stop them.