Alice sat in the hackney carriage clasping her hands tightly together in a futile attempt to control her nerves. She was dressed properly. Or at least she hoped she was. Surely there was nothing wrong with the dark navy kerseymere suit she wore, or the intricately embroidered lace trimmed shirtwaist. The little cameo Sir Horace had given her was pinned at her throat. Her navy blue hat was precisely the shade of her suit and sported two elegant egret feathers. It was pinned to her head with a businesslike gold hatpin, suitable both for retaining headgear and deterring mashers.

It was not appropriate for Alice to be jaunting about London on her own. So Mrs. Kinver's niece, Betsy, rode at Alice's side. The girl had been abruptly promoted from parlour maid to personal maid when Kinver determined that Alice's expanded prospects demanded the attentions of a full-time specialist for her new wardrobe. While Betsy might not be quite up to the job yet, she'd learn quickly. Or Kinver would know the reason why.

The jarvey drew up in front of No. 38 Brook Street and Alice prepared to alight from the cab. But it wasn't as easy as it once might have been. She was so tightly laced into her new pink satin corset that she could barely breathe, let alone jump down from her seat. Fortunately, Betsy was there to assist in the process and Alice made it to the pavement without mishap.

She stared up at the prim front door. It occurred to her that perhaps she ought to go to the tradesman's entrance. The brass knocker gave no clue as to what was expected or what awaited her on the inside of the elegant façade of the terraced house. The shallow steps to the doorway seemed like the foothills of the Himalayas to Alice.

"Shall I knock for you, miss?" asked Betsey.

"I don't know what's properest." Alice shook her head in distress. The next moment the matter was taken out of her hands, however. The door opened and a soberly dressed and very superior looking individual stared out at the two women.

"Miss Cooper?"

"Yes," Alice replied breathlessly.

The individual bowed his head in acknowledgment of the information and opened the door wider to admit Alice and her companion. "The master is expecting you."

Alice swallowed hard, lifted her skirts and climbed the flagstone steps with Betsy at her heels.

"If you will follow me, please. The master is in the morning room, preparing to break his fast." The very superior individual walked down a hallway toward the back of the house and held open the door to a warmly lit room. "Miss Cooper," he announced.

A gentleman rose from his place at the sumptuously appointed breakfast table and inspected Alice. "Thank you Burroughs, that will be all." He waved his hand toward Betsy. "You may take the Young Person to the kitchen with you, Burroughs. I'm sure she would enjoy a cup of tea."

The gentleman continued to scrutinize Alice for several moments before saying, "I am Simon Niall. This is Miss Nola Hayes. You are, I believe Miss Alice Cooper?"

"Yes, sir."

The gentleman frowned. "You should call me 'Mr. Niall,' not 'sir.' You are not my servant. You are my pupil." He gestured to a vacant chair. "Please, Miss Cooper, be seated."

Before he could continue, Nola held out her hand to Alice. "It is very nice to meet you, Miss Cooper."

"Thank you." Alice smiled tentatively. "It's nice to meet you too."

"Miss Cooper, I want you to serve breakfast to us." Alice blinked in surprise but rose immediately to begin. "No, no. Not as a servant. You are the lady of the house. We are your guests." He smiled at Alice's evident confusion. "Miss Cooper, you will not be called upon to act as a servant any longer. You must learn how to function as the lady of the house. Is that not so?" Alice nodded. "I believe the best way to address your educational needs will be to indulge in what we of the theatre call 'scenes.' As I said: you are the lady of the house and Miss Hayes and I are your guests. So remove your hat and those very smart French kid gloves, and serve us breakfast."

"Here, let me take them for you," Nola offered. Alice thanked her and then turned to Simon inquiringly.

"It would be civil for you to ask Miss Hayes if she prefers coffee or tea." Simon steepled his hands together. "Then you must ask me for my preferences. You should offer eggs, toast—whatever you think your guests might enjoy."

"Would—do you care for coffee or tea, Miss Hayes?"

"Coffee, please." Nola smiled encouragingly.

Alice lifted the coffee pot and reached for a cup and saucer. "Miss Cooper!" Simon interrupted. "You are about to serve the coffee in a tea cup. That is improper." Alice blushed and reached for a coffee cup and saucer. She poured the hot coffee without mishap and handed the cup to Nola. "Would you like cream and sugar?" she asked. When Nola signified she did not care for either, Alice turned to Simon.

"Mr. Niall, would you like coffee or tea?"

"Tea, if you please."

Alice picked up a tea cup and saucer, and Simon nodded approval. Then she reached for the tea pot closest to her. "Miss Cooper, you did not ask if I prefer to drink China tea or Indian tea. Both are on the table. I should prefer the India tea." When she hesitated, Simon added, "The red ribbon on the pot handle signifies that it is the China tea."

The India tea was poured successfully and handed off to Simon. "I should like the hot milk, if you please." He watched as Alice picked up the milk jug and handed it to him. "No, Miss Cooper. It is highly indelicate for you to simply give the milk to me. You should place the jug carefully on the table, and turn its handle to face me. That way, there is no risk of your hand accidentally touching mine. Do you see?"

"Yes, Mr. Niall. I see." And she did. What she saw was that the lessons were going to be interminable and full of pitfalls.

"Then you may serve the eggs."

"Yes, Mr. Niall."

"After breakfast is over, you will stand in front of the fireplace and read for me. I must evaluate your accent so that I can devise a suitable set of elocution exercises for you.

Alice suppressed a sigh. Undoubtedly well-bred young ladies did not sigh during breakfast. Simon smiled inscrutably and sipped his tea.