Instead of expressing relief, Alice seemed to shrink, withdrawing into herself. “You don’t mean that.”

“Indeed, I do.” More tears fell from her lashes, her lips pink and puffy from crying, and she was still beautiful. He’d never tire of looking at her, at discovering every little thing about her. “I want to marry you.”

“As if Mr. Lusk or I would ever consent. Give our only child over to you? Absurd,” Mrs. Lusk said derisively. “Her dowry could buy her another duke or a European prince.”

“I don’t want to buy a husband, Mother.” Alice swiped at the tears on her cheeks. “I want to marry for love.”

“That is ridiculous. No one of our station marries for love.” Her mother glanced around, as if just noticing that they were attracting attention in the kitchen. “This is unseemly, Alice. Come along. We shall continue this upstairs.”

“Wait,” Kit said, a little desperately. He had the strangest feeling that if Alice left the kitchen, he’d never see her again. He’d already lost one person dear to him; he couldn’t stand to lose her, too. “Let me explain, Alice.”

Mrs. Lusk gasped at his use of her daughter’s given name, but he didn’t look away from Alice. She was shaking her head but hadn’t yet moved, her feet rooted to the floor. Before she could react, however, her mother grabbed her arm. “Upstairs, Alice. Now.”

The touch jolted Alice out of her thoughts. She yanked her arm from her mother’s grip and stepped back. “No, Mama. You return upstairs. I need a minute with Mr. Ward.”

“Alone? Absolutely not.”

Alice’s chest rose as she drew in a deep breath. “I am staying to talk with him. Here, in full view of the kitchen staff. Your presence is not required, so go upstairs.”

“I don’t think—”

“Now, Mother,” Alice ordered loudly, her voice hard and sharp.

Mrs. Lusk blinked, as if she couldn’t believe Alice had dared speak to her in such a manner. “We will discuss this impertinence when you return to your room.” She spun on her heel and stomped out of the kitchen, nearly colliding with a waiter in the process. “Get out of my way,” she snapped, and pushed through the swinging door.

Alice exhaled, her shoulders drooping, and Kit lowered his voice. “I meant what I said. I want to marry you, Alice.”

A fresh tear slipped from the corner of her eye, slowly rolling down her face. “No, you don’t. You feel sorry for me and you feel guilty. I’d rather have a husband who wants me only for my dowry.”

“You’re wrong. I care about you. I would be honored to marry you.” That only made her cry harder, so he rushed to explain. “Alice, I need you. In my life, at my side. Day and night.”