“Damn it, Alice,” he said on a huff that sounded part exasperation and part amusement. “Fine. During the card game, no questions about the kitchen and no questions about last night. Deal?”

“Agreed.”

When the cards were revealed Kit’s was higher in value. “My turn. Do you want to continue our bargain once we return to New York?”

More lessons for recipes. The thought of not seeing him, of never talking with him again, sat like a boulder on her chest, pressing down and robbing her of breath. She’d grown fond of him in such a short amount of time, and besides, she wasn’t yet transformed into a vixen capable of luring the man she wished to marry.

However, there were practical issues to consider, like how she would dodge her mother and avoid the many pairs of prying eyes at the hotel. “I would like to, but I cannot see how. Besides, you have your life there. Your parties and friends.”

“I could make time.”

Yes, between his many assignations and planning his supper club. Her throat burned with irrational jealousy—which was ridiculous. She had no hold on Kit. They were barely friends. Definitely not lovers. So, why would she care where he spent his nights?

Yet, she did.

And the more time she was in his presence, the stronger the attachment to him grew. Right now, it was a giddiness in the bottom of her stomach when she thought of him, a shiver coasting down her spine when he approached. The longer this went on, though, those reactions would deepen. Soon, she’d find herself heartbroken and miserable because he didn’t return her regard.

It was best to stick to their original plan, which was to confine this bargain to the length of the house party. “It would be impossible.”

A muscle jumped in his jaw but he inclined his head. “I understand. It was silly of me to ask.”

“No, it wasn’t silly. I—” As she talked, she sat up straighter and her injured foot slid off the pillow and thumped onto the bed. Pain exploded in her ankle and she gasped, her eyes screwing shut.

“Shh, it’s all right.” He was there, gently repositioning her foot onto the pillow. “Deep breaths, Alice. In and out. Try to relax.”

“Ow, ow, ow,” she said through gritted teeth.

Gentle fingers clasped her hand. “Squeeze as hard as you can. Breathe and squeeze my hand, Alice. Listen to me and try not to think about your foot. Just breathe and squeeze.”

Using all her strength, she crushed his hand and tried not to cry.

“Breathe, sweetheart.”