The felicitations continued in the middle of the room, as did Alice’s surreptitious observation of Lockwood. Was she actually interested in the duke? Kit took another a gulp of champagne. Alice had better taste than that, hadn’t she?

Nellie angled toward Kit and Harrison instead of the other guests. “You know, Katherine was angling to match the fair Miss Lusk with the duke. It appears that was a wasted effort.”

Kit sucked in a breath. Had the Delafield girl really been trying to pair Alice off with that oaf? Wasn’t that the point of the lessons? Yes, but not now. Not here. And what happened when Maddie threw the duke over, as she most assuredly would before the house party ended? Would Alice use the tricks Kit taught her to woo a duke?

The pit of his stomach hollowed out, leaving an empty cavern despite all the champagne. He hated the idea of Alice and Lockwood. She deserved better than a drafty manor house in the English countryside, surrounded by servants and a husband who ignored her. She needed laughter and friends—

“Oh, Kit,” Nellie said on a chuckle. “You are as transparent as a window.”

He deliberately moved his gaze off Alice. “I have no idea what you are talking about.”

This got Harrison’s attention. “Transparent? About what?”

Nellie lifted a brow and elbowed Kit. “Go on. Tell him.”

“There is nothing to tell.”

“Really?” She leaned in. “I saw her leave your room earlier, you know.”

Harrison shifted to glower at Kit. “Who was it? Was she responsible for that love bite?”

Kit dragged a hand down his face. “Quiet, both of you. It’s not what you think.”

“I’d say it’s exactly what I think,” Nellie put in.

“And what were you doing on our side of the chateau?” Kit asked, turning it around on her. “Whose room were you visiting?”

“I wasn’t. I was out for a walk.”

An obvious lie. “In the corridors?”

“Kit,” Harrison said under his breath. “Maddie expressly warned you away from the young ladies. There will be hell to pay if she learns of this.”

“She won’t—and it’s innocent.” Mostly. “There is nothing to worry about.”

“That purplish mark on your throat would imply otherwise. Do not ruin this house party, Kit, not until I win her back.”

“You have my word.” He didn’t dare look in Alice’s direction. “I have it under control.”

“And to think,” Nellie drawled, toasting Kit and Harrison with her coupe. “I almost didn’t come. What a shame it would have been to miss all these scandals.”