Something uncomfortable passed between Maude and Alec.
“Yes,” Alec said. “I inherited the business, but Uncle Edmund left the house and a generous allowance to Aunt Maude.”
“It isn’t proper to speak about such things at supper,” Aunt Maude said as she nodded at Higgins to begin the meal and thenglanced at one of the footmen, as if gauging how much they were listening to our conversation.
The staff still didn’t know my identity—and no doubt she didn’t want them gossiping about me after the meal.
I had never sat at such a grand table or been served by footmen. If I thought the meal last night was lavish—this one was extravagant. Soup, fish, salad greens, vegetables, meat, bread, and more were served in various courses. Aunt Maude showed me which silverware to use, while Alec watched with a secretive smile—that teasing gleam always present.
The meal felt like it lasted a lifetime—but when it was finally over, Aunt Maude said it was time to move to the back parlor for evening entertainment.
“Alec?” she asked, frowning as she touched her temple. “Will you see to Clara?”
He nodded as he extended his elbow to me once again.
“After dinner,” he said, “the men usually recline with brandy and cigars in the billiards room or at the table and the women retire to the parlor for gossip as they wait for us. But with just the three of us, I’ll join you in the evenings after supper.”
“You’ll come again?” I asked.
His smile was so warm—so sincere—my heart fluttered. “I would not miss an evening of your company, Miss O’Day.”
“Does that mean you’ll be staying away from that club of yours?” Aunt Maude asked.
Again, something passed between them, but Alec only smiled. “I’ll be home as often as possible.”
Before we entered the parlor, Aunt Maude stopped in the hall and let out a sigh as she touched her temple again. “My head is aching tonight. I hope you won’t mind if I retire early.”
“Of course not,” Alec said.
“Please see to the evening activities without me.” She laid her hand on my arm. “Clara has much to learn, so I trust you’ll do your part to see that she’s instructed in parlor etiquette.”
He nodded.
“And,” she said as she started to walk away, “don’t forget to flirt.”
We stood still—neither of us responding to her. What did I say to such a comment?
As she walked up the stairs, Alec turned me toward the back parlor. “It’s not usually proper for an unmarried man and a woman to be alone together.”
My pulse ticked up a notch at his words. “Then why is Aunt Maude going to bed?”
He glanced toward the stairs, his gaze inscrutable. “I imagine she thinks of us as cousins—though I’m struggling to see it that way.”
I wasn’t sure what he meant.
We moved into the parlor, and it felt large and imposing with just the two of us.
“Do you play an instrument?” he asked me.
I shook my head.
“Do you sing?”
I opened my mouth to say no—but that wasn’t true. “Sometimes, for meself.”
“Wonderful. It’s desirable for a young lady to perform during evening entertainments.”
“I will need to perform? In front of a duke?”
