“I can see what I can do, miss.”
“Thank you.” I smiled at her and then left my bedchamber to join Aunt Maude in the drawing room as we waited for the duke’s arrival.
Alec was just coming down the steps from the next floor up, where his room was located. He paused on the last step and took in my appearance.
I was wearing one of my Worth gowns. It was cream-colored with swaths of silk draped around the skirt and a garland of pink silk roses trailing down one side and along the hem. It was short-sleeved with ruffles along the collar, and I was wearing matching cream-colored gloves, which went up to my elbows.
Alec continued toward me, a sad smile on his face. “I will miss these chance encounters with you, Keira.”
I would miss them, too, but I had decided to set my mind against thoughts of Alec. Instead of dwelling on what could not be, I smiled, noticing that he was not dressed to go out. “Are you not joining us at the opera?”
“I was not invited, and even if I had been, I would decline. The duke needs no help from me to win you over.”
I needed to turn my thoughts to something else. “I have no plans in the morning,” I told him. “I will not be expected to join Aunt Maude until luncheon. Could we go to Islington tomorrow morning? It’s all I’ve been thinking about since we visited the register.”
“You have not been thinking about Severton?”
I stared at him for a moment, wondering why he still wanted to talk about the duke.
“I want to find my mother, Alec.” My voice was steady and serious. I did not want to discuss the duke with him. “Will you take me, or must I go back to the register and get her address and go on my own?”
He let out a sigh. “I will take you in the morning. Be ready to leave at eight.”
“Thank you.” A whole different set of nerves assailed me at the thought of finally meeting Nellie O’Day.
I was about to excuse myself when I remembered the other thing I wanted to ask him, though it wouldn’t be easy. He was the only person I knew who might be able to help me.
“What?” he asked. “I can see you want something else.”
“It’s about George,” I said, hesitant. “He called the other morning, but Aunt Maude forced him to leave when the duke appeared. I would like to apologize, but I don’t know how to find him. Could you ask around and see where he is staying?”
“I didn’t know that he was in town.”
“Only just. He called the morning after he arrived in London. I feel horrible about how he was treated, especially after—” I was going to sayespecially after he had proposed to me, but I paused.
Alec didn’t meet my gaze for a moment, but then he finally nodded. “I will see what I can do.”
I laid my hand on his arm. “Thank you.”
His muscles tensed, but he nodded.
A maid appeared at the top of the steps and paused. “The duke has arrived, miss.”
“I’ll be right down.”
She turned and went back the way she had come.
“I hope you have a good time tonight,” Alec said. “You deserve to be happy.”
Emotion caught in my throat, but I nodded. “Thank you.”
I wasn’t sure if the duke could make me happy, but I would try to enjoy my time with him.
When I arrived in the drawing room, the duke was already there with Aunt Maude.
He turned at my arrival, and for the first time, I saw a spark of interest in his eyes. His gaze traveled over my gown with appreciation, though he tried to hide it.
“Good evening, Your Grace,” I said, offering a slight curtsey.
