Alice might be stubborn, but so was he. They got along and there was no harm in kissing, was there? He wouldn’t take it further and between kisses he could answer all her questions about men. She would provide him with a few more of Franconi’s recipes and they would go their separate ways. It was a perfect plan, actually.

The corridors were empty, no sound he could discern. Whoever had been walking about was settled inside their room. Still, when he arrived at the other end of the chateau, he exhaled in relief. He and Alice escaped discovery, just as he had promised.

Good to know I haven’t lost my touch.

Chapter Thirteen

Chaos descended the next morning.

An hour after the household began stirring, Mama burst into Alice’s room. Alice was still in bed, miserable after a terrible night’s sleep, her ankle throbbing in pain. Clearly, she wouldn’t be able to participate in the sailing excursion today, an outing she’d been looking forward to.

“Mama.” Alice put down her teacup. “You’re up early.”

“I’ve directed your maid to begin packing your things. We are leaving.”

Alice’s jaw fell open, dread slithering along her spine. Had her mother learned of Kit’s late-night visit? That had to be the reason for the hasty departure. “I can explain—”

“I saw that . . . harlot coming in out of the rain last night with another man. He kissed her on the mouth.”

Mind racing, Alice tried to piece this together. The rain? “Who, Mama?”

“The Webster girl and the Archer boy. It was absolutely disgusting and I won’t have you in this house a moment longer. As soon as I speak with Mr. Webster, we will be on the first train back to New York City.”

Maddie and Harrison had been out last night, kissing? Seemed Alice and Kit weren’t the only two busy with clandestine activities while the rest of the house slept.

Still, Alice didn’t want Mama to ruin the house party. There might be a simple explanation for what she’d seen. “Perhaps you shouldn’t involve yourself. After all, Miss Webster and Mr. Archer have been friends for many years.”

“Don’t be ridiculous,” her mother snapped. “I know what I saw, and your reputation will be ruined if we don’t leave immediately.”

There would be no talking her mother out of it. Years of experience had taught Alice this, so there was no choice but to go along. They would leave today, period.

“Furthermore,” Mama continued, “it was my duty to notify the other chaperones of this behavior first thing this morning. Rest assured that everyone else will depart today, as well.”

Mortification crawled through Alice’s belly. Every young lady would blame Alice and her mother for ruining the house party, not to mention how Maddie and Harrison would feel. Or Kit.