She rested her forehead against the smooth plaster as more tears slid down her cheeks. Despite everything, though she was ruined, she could not regret those moments with Kit. Their encounters had been wonderful, with more passion than she’d dreamed possible. Those memories would carry her through the dark days ahead, when she was back in Boston with her parents and hiding inside their home.

Lord, that prospect was depressing. She stared at her shoes. Perhaps she’d stay here all night. Better this than facing her mother’s anger.

You can withstand it. You’ll not let her make you feel small and stupid, not again.

No, she wouldn’t, would she? Not after what had been said in the kitchen. Alice felt relief at putting her mother in her place. It had been a long time coming. Now they would forge a new relationship, one where Alice voiced her opinions more often. Starting tonight.

Or perhaps they would sever their relationship altogether. Cut off the rotten branches so that the tree might thrive, as Nellie had suggested.

No better time like the present. Alice had nothing to lose. Literally nothing. No marriage prospects, no reputation, no Kit. By morning, she’d be the laughingstock of the city. Her mother held no sway over Alice’s future because there was no future. Let them send her off to a convent or an asylum. She no longer cared.

Resolve settled in her veins, a steely determination she’d never experienced before, but one she knew was here to stay. A new chapter had begun in Alice Lusk’s future, and whatever happened would be without her mother’s criticisms. Straightening off the wall, she marched up the remaining stairs.

She didn’t bother going to her own suite. Instead, she walked directly inside her mother’s room. Mama was pacing, giving orders to her maid about packing their things. When Alice came in, her mother stopped and glared, her hands on her hips. “I hope you are happy, young lady.”

“I am not happy, no. In fact, I’ve never been happy—except for when I am away from you.”

“A mother’s role is not to make you happy but to ensure you are raised properly. To see that you make a good match. Which is now impossible thanks to what just happened in the dining room. You are a disgrace!”

“No, I am not.” Alice’s body shook with anger and words poured out of her mouth. “I am many things you would not begin to understand, but none of them are bad. I am a kind person who cares about other people. I love cooking and serving food. I like wine and flowers and being in a kitchen. Furthermore, I fell in love with Christopher Ward. He made me very, very happy, Mama.”

Her mother’s eyes bulged. “Has he ruined you? I swear, I will—”