The duke was happy to see that that Alice had recovered from recent events. The day at home had proved to be the tonic she needed. She was chatty at breakfast, telling him about the play, and he loved watching how she spoke. His beloved wife had been an admirer of the theater. He, himself, found such things tedious to endure. Alice's recount took him back to another time in his life.

He had closed himself off after his wife had died. Her illness had been so short. And although he wasn't sure he ever wanted to let her go, she had been in so much pain, that it was a relief to her at the end to join the Lord. She was everything to him, and without her, he felt part of him was missing.

This young woman had brought an old man back to life again. It seemed the house was a home again with her presence. He watched her face light up as she enthused about going to Almack's.

"Yes, my dear, I am sure you will have a wonderful time. I must say. I'm rather glad that ghastly business has not failed to dampen your spirit," the duke said.

"I have decided it is not good to dwell on it. I am sure he had his reasons, and I can only think he is jealous of the marquess, who has now found himself in your good favor. I am fortunate that it was Edmund who knocked me down that fateful day rather than the Earl of Bosley," she furrowed her brow as she spoke.

Alice was excited at the prospect of going to Almack's. She told the duke how Edmund told her that as it was the place to be seen, so she was surely going to meet someone who would recognize her. The thought filled her with mixed emotions. She was happy with the duke and Edmund. It was strange to her not to have a sense of missing family.

"You shall need a new gown, my dear. Please choose from my wife's and Jarvis will arrange for a seamstress to visit," the duke told her as he gestured to Jarvis to ensure it was done.

His kindness made Alice feel a little emotional. All this talk of family made her wonder if her papa was as gracious and pleasant as the duke. She prayed that he was. She didn't relish the prospect of leaving such a calm place for something different.

"Now you run along, my dear. There is much work to be done. I shall see you later for dinner."

The duke, Edmund and Alice found themselves busy for the day and didn't meet until their pre-dinner drinks. Edmund was sanguine; it was a side of him the duke liked. At least something good had come Bosley's antics, a more mature Edmund. Nothing the duke could say would ever have had the same effect.

Alice was quiet during dinner. She was tired after being fitted for her gown, but she didn't want to spoil the surprise of her choice of dress. She had underestimated the effects of not knowing who she was and she had to stifle a yawn.

As the duke and Edmund sipped on their brandy, he asked Edmund if any more had been heard from Bosley.

"No, Your Grace, he has not made any contact with me, nor have I seen him on my daily constitutionals in Hyde Park. I must admit I was surprised by his actions. I suppose he was always like that, but I just never noticed. It's as though I see the world so differently. My concern for Miss Faith superseded any feelings of friendship I had for Bosley. He was so underhanded. I would never have believed him possible of such ungentlemanly behavior."

Edmund looked into his glass as he swirled its contents. Miss Faith was an enigma to him, and he wanted so much to make her his wife. He was more certain than ever. Who was she? He wasn't sure he cared whether she was titled or not. She was the most beautiful and unaffected person he had ever met. As though reading his mind, the duke interrupted Edmund's thoughts.

"She is certainly a mystery, but have faith that you will soon be able to marry, Edmund. I am glad she has made you more sensible. You need a good woman like that. At the very least, you see how destructive Bosley is, and you are no longer under his spell. For that, I am grateful. I long had my reservations that you would be capable of becoming sensible, but you are now a man," the duke watched Edmund, who smiled at the compliment.

"I never thought a woman would want to make a man wish to change. I feel Miss Faith deserves me to be my very best and I want to make her proud of me. I wish to return home tomorrow. Mama's jewels would be just the thing for Miss Faith's first Almack's. I want everyone to be dazzled by her. I do not wish her to know, Your Grace."

"Certainly, you must do what is right. I will explain your absence as a business necessity. I will keep the young lady entertained. There's an exhibition I'd like to visit at the Royal Academy. I wouldn't normally bother, as you well know, but I shall go with Miss Faith, as she reminds me of my dear wife and…"

The duke looked up misty-eyed at the portrait of his wife that hung above the mantle.

"Yes, Edmund, a good woman will make you want to move mountains. She asks for nothing, but you do everything to be your best self. That is a rare woman, indeed, in my experience. See you when you get back from your estate. Jarvis, I'm ready to go to bed now."

The following morning, the duke took Alice along Hyde Park. He had no doubt that gossip was rife about Bosley's botched attempt to bring her name into disrepute. Being by her side, the duke ensured that she had his full support. Although none of this was on Alice's mind.

She was the perfect companion for the exhibition, and she made observations that made the duke forget at times that she wasn't his duchess. It was uncanny, he told himself, and he couldn't help but feel thirty years younger. In fact, at times he felt he was a young man again courting his bride. In her short time in the house, he had already lost the use of his walking stick. He moved more freely than he had in years. He had allowed himself to age prematurely in his grief but now Alice gave him a reason to be sprightly. She was the tonic he needed.

Alice had missed Edmund's presence for the day. It seemed odd to her that he would leave without a word. The duke explained he had been called away on business. She hoped he wasn't upset by Bosley's shenanigans, although his absence afforded her the opportunity to spend some time alone with the duke. She wanted to ask him what would become of her if no one claimed her, but each time she opened her mouth to ask, she changed her mind. She didn't want her time to end.

The evening of the dance had arrived and Alice was feeling very nervous. She didn't know why but something was different. Alice put her necklace in her reticle, somehow she felt better having it with her, but she was reluctant to wear it with such an outfit. In fact, she hadn't worn it at all since her arrival, choosing instead to keep it on her person. She was dressed as beautifully as ever, and when the duke and Edmund saw her, she couldn't help but smile at their reactions. Their jaws seemed to drop as they took in the vision before them.

"You look beautiful, Miss Faith but there is something missing," Edmund said mischievously as he produced a jewelry box from behind his back. He opened it up and presented Alice with the most dazzling diamond necklace and earrings she had ever seen.

"Are you quite sure, my lord, they look fit for a queen," Alice whispered as she realized they were for her.

"You will be my queen some day. These were my mother's. It would give me great pleasure to see you wear them. They were designed to dazzle, as were you," Edmund blushed as he spoke.

The duke tried to contain a snicker as he watched two young people in love, one more flushed than the other. He couldn't be more proud if either were actually his own child.

Embarrassment abated, the couple left the duke alone.

"I hope you have a wonderful time with me, Miss Faith, but I must admit, I am rather hoping no one recognizes you. I know it is selfish, but I do not want this to end," Edmund said.

"I understand what you mean. I am rather afraid my life will be rather dull. But we'll see what happens. I am so happy with the duke, but I grow concerned in case my parents are fretting about me."

Alice frowned. Why had she no feeling when it came to family? Now wasn't the time to for a philosophical debate on her lack of emotions.

"Why the frown, Miss Faith? Did I say something to cause you distress?" Edmund sounded apprehensive.

"No, you have been a wonderful companion. Now, tell me about this place again."

Edmund was afraid he had rather built her hopes up, when in fact, Almack's was really just a place to be seen, especially as the vouchers were hard to get. It was too late to change his mind now; they had arrived.