“I do. Down to the tiniest detail.”

“Excellent. We’ll begin tonight. I’ll write Franconi a check when we return to New York.”

Excitement raced through her, centering in her chest. “I’ll come to your room after my mother goes to bed.”

“No. I have plans, so I’ll come to you.”

Her shoulders deflated as questions buzzed through her mind. What were these plans? Was he leaving? Was he meeting another woman? Mary, perhaps? “All right.”

“You may ask me, if you wish.”

Had she been so obvious? “It’s really none of my business.”

“True, but we are friends now, Alice. I don’t mind answering personal questions.”

“Are you meeting another woman?” she blurted.

“I am not. The duke and I are headed to the casino.”

The amount of relief she felt was embarrassing. Why did she care what Kit did in his free time? They were not lovers or partners. They barely knew each other. She had no right to feel proprietary over him. “If you want to meet another woman—”

“Stop right there.” He held up a hand. “I don’t and I won’t, not during the house party. I plan to dedicate all my energies to our mutual cause.”

“Thank you.”

“There’s no need to thank me. This is not altruism on my part. I’ll get as many recipes out of you and Franconi as I can manage in the next few days.”

For some reason, that promise made her shiver.

This is not seduction. He will provide you with information, that’s all.

“Actually,” he said, stroking his jaw. “We should probably meet in my room. Farther away from your mother, and if your absence is noted you can say you went out for a walk.”

Good point. “Fine. Just send word when you are back.”

“I’ll throw a pebble at your window.”

“You will?”

“No.” His mouth hitched. “I’ll just knock softly on your door.”

That made much more sense. “I’ll wait up.”

“Excellent.” He stepped closer. Before she knew what he was doing, he lifted a hand and dragged his knuckles across her cheek. “I’ll hurry.”

She froze at the simple touch—which seemed anything but simple, actually. It felt intimate, like a promise of what was to come. A wave of heat followed where he’d brushed her skin and perspiration broke out on her forehead. Her lungs began to burn, and she realized she wasn’t breathing. She forced air into her throat, gulping like a fish, grateful that she hadn’t passed out in front of him.

Then she realized she was alone.

Sweet mercy, how was she going to keep from fawning at this man’s feet every time they were together?

Chapter Four

Kit whistled softly to himself as he made his way through the upstairs corridor. He’d just knocked on Alice’s door, which meant their first real lesson would soon get under way.