“Touching my hand? No. Why would it?”

“You’re quiet. It caused me to think I did something wrong.”

“Of course not,” he rushed out. He tried to keep it light. “I’ve been touched in far worse places—but only when I ask nicely.”

She didn’t laugh. “If I fail at one of our lessons, then you have to tell me. Otherwise, how will I learn?”

Oh, he didn’t think Alice would have trouble learning in the least. Indeed, based on the last ten minutes, he predicted she’d become a siren in hardly any time at all.

The question was whether he could survive it.

The filet de boeuf melted on Alice’s tongue, the meat unbelievably tender and flavorful. Sautéed chanterelle mushrooms, not usually found at this time of year, accompanied the rich sauce drizzled on top. Alice would need to ask the cook, Mrs. Berman, where those mushrooms had come from. Perhaps she could bring some back to Chef Franconi. His chanterelle soup always made her feel better when she was down in the doldrums, which was often when she was around her mother.

Tonight’s dinner had been quite enjoyable thus far. Alice was seated between Katherine Delafield and one of the chaperones, with her mother placed at the other end of the long table. Maddie had done this purposely, and Alice was grateful for it. Mama tended to carry a dark cloud wherever she went.

Best of all, however, Kit sat directly across from her. It was certainly no hardship to sneak the occasional peek at his handsome features as he entertained those around him. He really was charming, with a quick wit and broad smile. Their half of the table practically hung on his every word, the jovial mood spreading to anyone in earshot.

As she savored a bite of beef, her gaze drifted to Kit’s bare fingers, now wrapped around his wineglass. I touched those. She knew the roughness of his skin, the silkiness of the fine hair. He was strong yet delicate, with long fingers more suited to mischief than hard labor.

Katherine leaned over. “How was your afternoon, Alice?”

“Lovely, actually. Again, congratulations on winning.”

Katherine, along with Mr. Archer, had won all three prizes in the afternoon’s egg hunt. She’d graciously given Alice, the second-place winner, the diamond bracelet. “Thank you, though I believe my partner deserves the credit. It was as if Mr. Archer had a map with the location of every egg.”

“Mr. Ward was much the same way. Hence how we came in second.”

“And how was that? Did you two have fun?”

“We did. He’s very easy to talk with.”

“Oh.” Katherine’s brows rose along with the tone of her voice.

“What?”

“Nothing. I thought I caught you staring at him a moment ago.”

Alice tried to laugh, but it came out more like a strangled sound. “Why would I stare at him?”