“Now,” she said, “I have some news. I was able to secure passage for us on the SSOregon, leaving New York on March 26. We will arrive in France a week later and visit the House of Worth for your London season wardrobe.”
“I’ll haveanotherwardrobe?”
“Of course. One doesn’t go to London for the season without a Worth wardrobe.” She waved aside my concerns and said, “Then we’ll arrive in London right after Easter, when the season starts. I have secured help from the Viscountess, Lady Mandeville. Sheis arranging a home for us and will work on our introduction to court.”
I nodded, though I felt sick to my stomach just thinking about it.
“Before that,” she said, “we will work at home on your lessons and have you ready to debut at my Christmas ball. There, we’ll announce that you’ve been adopted. I’ve already spoken to my lawyers, and everything is moving along nicely. They believe the adoption will be final before the end of December.”
“Adults can be adopted?” I asked—though it was a question I should have asked before now.
“Anyone can be adopted. It’s not unheard of for a widow to adopt an heir or heiress, to secure their fortune.”
My head was spinning, but I was torn from my thoughts as the door opened and the butler, Higgins, stepped into the room. “Dinner is served, madam.”
Before either of us could respond, Alec appeared behind Higgins, wearing a black evening coat and white vest.
Both Aunt Maude and I looked toward him with surprise.
“I’m sorry to be—” He paused as I rose to greet him. He looked me over in the blue gown and his admiration shone from his gaze. “You look lovely tonight, Ke—Clara.”
I had been practicing how I would respond to him. I bent my head in acknowledgment and said, in an accent as similar to Aunt Maude’s as I could manage, “Thank you.”
Aunt Maude rose, pleasure on her face. “You didn’t stay at the club tonight.”
“And miss a pleasant evening in the company of New York’s finest ladies?”
She smiled. “Alec, take Clara’s arm and show her how she’ll be escorted into dinner at the parties we attend.”
He gave me a short bow and then offered me his arm. “May I escort you into dinner, Miss Hill?”
I nodded, still uncomfortable with the new name, and took his arm. I felt just a little less awkward than I had earlier that day.
Aunt Maude led the way out of the parlor and down the hall to the dining room.
We followed behind her at a slower pace.
“Every time I see you,” Alec said to me, “you look lovelier and lovelier. How is that possible?”
Was he flirting again? I needed to learn how to respond without embarrassment.
“’Tis the gowns,” I said. “There are so many o’ them—ofthem—and they’re so expensive. If I didn’t look lovely, Aunt Maude should ask for her money back.”
He laughed and then shook his head. “I don’t think it’s just the gowns, Keira.” He said my name quietly, so Aunt Maude wouldn’t hear. “You’re glowing.”
“I’m happy.”
He grew serious. “Then I’m happy.”
We entered the dining room. Aunt Maude sat at the head of the table, while I sat at her right and Alec took a seat at her left, across from me.
“The man of the house usually sits at the head,” Aunt Maude said to me as a footman stepped forward and laid her napkin on her lap. “But this is my home, so I sit here.”
“This isn’t Alec’s home?” I asked.
“I’m only a guest,” Alec corrected.
“But I thought you inherited the business. I assumed the house came with it.”
