“You haven’t met anyone?”
“I’ve met many young ladies.”
“And?” I watched him, surprised he wasn’t forthcoming when he was usually so eager to tease and flirt.
Alec finally looked up at me, his blue eyes shining in the light of the piano lamp. “Most have only one thing in mind and that’s to marry well. They don’t usually care who the gentleman is, but what he has to offer. I’m not interested in being loved for my money or position.”
I lowered my gaze, my cheeks warming with embarrassment. I was guilty of that exact thing, wasn’t I? Marrying a duke for his title.
Alec laid his hand over mine and I lifted my eyes again.
“I didn’t mean to imply that you’re like the others, Keira.” He slowly pulled his hand away and set it on the keys again. “You’re nothing like them. I would hate to see you become a copy of all the rest.”
“You hardly know me,” I said, thinking of all the reasons I shouldn’t stay as I was—yet realizing he knew more about me than most.
His smile was sad as he ran his fingers over the keys again, playing another tune.
“It’s been a long day,” he finally said as he lifted his hands from the piano. “I’m sure you’re tired and Aunt Maude will expect you to be up early tomorrow for more lessons.”
He stood and offered me his elbow.
I took it and he walked me out of the parlor, up the stairs, and to my bedroom door.
When we arrived, he let go of my arm and faced me.
“For what it’s worth," he said, "we haven’t known each other long, but the little I’ve learned about you has told me everything I need to know.”
And, with that, he walked away.
6
“Clara! Wake up! What has gotten into? You mustneverfall asleep while socializing with others.”
I opened my eyes with a jerk and sat up straight. “Pardon me.”
Aunt Maude clicked her tongue with disappointment as she shook her head and glanced at the two ladies sitting with us in the parlor.
My cheeks warmed under her displeasure as I lifted my cards for the game of whist we were playing with Mrs. Walker and Gallagher.
For two and a half weeks, I had been working day and night on my lessons. On evenings like this one, when Aunt Maude needed extra people, she called Mrs. Walker and Gallagher to join us. They had come into the parlor after Aunt Maude and I had finished supper and looked almost as uncomfortable as I felt.
“It’s your turn,” Aunt Maude said to me. She was sitting across the table, holding her cards. Candlelight flickered from the holders on the corners of the table, sparkling off her jewelry.
I tried to focus on my cards, but my eyes were so bleary, I could hardly tell the spades from the clubs—and I didn’t care. All I wanted was my bed.
Knowing Aunt Maude, she still had hours of work ahead of me.
I laid a high diamond, and she lowered her cards, more disappointment in her gaze. “You’ve just lost the trick for us,” she said.
Mrs. Walker picked up the four cards and laid them on her ever-growing pile of tricks.
“I’m sorry.” I tried hard to speak as she’d instructed me. “I’m so tired.”
Aunt Maude set the rest of her cards on the table and nodded. “Perhaps we should be done for tonight.”
My shoulders sagged in relief, and I wanted to cry with happiness. I had not gone to bed before midnight since arriving at the mansion and was expected to rise each morning at six.
“Mrs. Walker and Gallagher, you may go.” Aunt Maude rose from the table as the ladies stood and bobbed a curtsey before leaving the room.
