Her mother had nearly skipped the meal, insisting she needed to keep watch over Alice instead. Desperate to prevent that from happening, Alice claimed fatigue and promised to use the time to sleep. Thankfully, Mama relented and dressed for dinner, which had provided Alice with a brief respite.

She reached for one of the books Maddie delivered earlier. This one was about bees, a subject Alice found fascinating. Not only did they produce delicious honey, they pollinated plants and flowers, fruits and vegetables. They were like a cook’s best friend.

Before long, dinner ended and her mother returned, frowning when she entered Alice’s room. “I had hoped to find you asleep. Instead, you are awake and reading—at night, no less. Your eyes will be ruined. Your dowry can only compensate for so much, Alice.”

Never mind that there was adequate lighting in the room, thanks to the lamps. “I slept a little,” she lied. “Did you have a nice time at dinner?”

“These friends of Miss Webster’s,” Mama sneered as she took the book out of Alice’s hands. “I swear, if I had known those gentlemen were attending, we never would have come. And Miss Young, as well. You must steer clear of her. A good thing the duke is here or the whole guest list would be thrown into question.”

There was no use arguing so Alice didn’t bother to try. Instead, she changed subjects. “Have you spoken to Daddy?”

“What on earth for?”

To let him know I’m injured.

Alice was close with her father and she missed him while she and her mother were away. “I’d like to telephone him tomorrow, if you don’t mind.”

“Alice, he is a busy man. He does not have time to come to the telephone to engage in frivolous small talk with you.”

Frivolous? Daddy always seemed happy whenever she rang him up. “I’ll keep it brief, Mama.”

“See that you do. I am off to bathe. I’ll sit with you before I go to bed.”

“That’s not necessary. I know your joints were hurting you earlier. You should rest.”

“Nonsense. I will wait to take my medicine so that I may keep you company.” Mama’s medicine was laudanum, which she used nightly to help her sleep.

Mama disappeared into the corridor and Alice closed her eyes, wishing she possessed the ability to reason with her mother. Not even Daddy tried any longer, however.

Mrs. Lusk, with all due respect, what will make this go faster is silence.

Kit’s sharply spoken directive had nearly caused Alice to swoon. No one stood up to Mama like that. Even more surprising, Mama didn’t usually acquiesce that easily, either. Yet she had listened to Kit. The whole exchange had been absolutely remarkable.