Chapter Thirty-Five
Charlie and Artemis had served as “chaperones” during Eve and Duke’s second time baking in the cottage kitchen. Charlie had entered a request for ginger biscuits. Only when those biscuits, along with the bread pudding Eve and Duke had also baked that morning, were set out along with tea that afternoon did Eve realize why Charlie had asked for what he had.
“Ginger biscuits are my favorite,” Mater said, clearly delighted.
Eve looked at Charlie sitting between his wife, whom everyone knew favored bread pudding, and his mother, who was also getting her favorite treat. He looked deeply pleased at their excitement.
To Duke, who sat next to her, Eve said, “Charlie looks happy enough that one would think ’twas his favorite foods being offered today.”
“You have made an ally there, Eve. Few things will earn a person the undying gratitude of the Jonquil brothers faster than helping them do something kind for their mother, wives, and children.”
“And for each other?” Eve guessed.
He nodded. “Their family is the most loving and loyal I’ve ever met.”
She took his hand. “I want so badly for you to spend some time with my family, Duke. My parents will fuss over you in the best way. And I predict Edmund and Scuff will idolize you immediately before coercing you into joining their endless mischief.”
He lifted her hand and kissed it. “I would enjoy that immensely.”
From across the room, Daria said, “I think the bread pudding has nutmeg in it. I love nutmeg.”
“ C’est délicieux ,” Lisette said before having another spoonful of the pudding.
“ C’est très délicieux ,” her aunt said.
“That sounded like delicious ,” Eve said to Duke.
He smiled at her. “Lisette said it was delicious , and Mme Fortier said it was very delicious .”
“I am determined to sniff out what everyone’s favorites are and try to bake them all before the house party ends,” Eve said.
Duke bent closer and spoke quietly. “You should consider telling Mater about your baking.”
A bubble of hope expanded on the instant. “She might allow me to bake at the dower house without giving away the secret.”
“Precisely.”
Mater rose and took a plate with two ginger biscuits on it across the room to Scott, who had just stepped inside.
“Thank you, Mater.” He gave her a quick one-armed hug, then sat with his wife.
“I think I will talk with her now,” Eve said to Duke before rising and crossing to her.
“We have had such delightful tea goodies these past days,” Mater said, taking another bite of a biscuit. “We’ll all leave Fairfield with very high expectations.”
Eve motioned her a bit aside. Mater looked intrigued.
“There is something I think you should know since I will be living with you for some time. It is yet another secret, so—Actually, all the Huntresses already know, as do Duke and Charlie. But it still does need to be kept from essentially everyone else. I do so hate to ask you to keep another secret.”
Mater squeezed her hand. “Do not feel the least badly about it.”
Eve nodded, then pushed forward. “Because of my family’s financial woes, we have all needed to develop skills most in the ton never do. My contribution to the household was doing the baking, and I found I enjoy it. I also discovered I have a talent for it. I actually miss baking when I’m away from home.”
Quick as that, a look of complete understanding entered Mater’s eyes. She gave Eve a hug, whispering, “By the time we arrive at the Lampton Park dower house, I will have sorted a way for you to bake whenever you’d like without risking your secret becoming known.”
“Thank you.” Eve hugged her tightly in return.
“Do you promise you will bake ginger biscuits now and then?” Mater smiled.
“Every single day if you’d like.”
“Excellent.” Mater stepped back but then hooked their arms and began walking with Eve at a leisurely pace around the drawing room, allowing for a private conversation. “Do you know how to bake any Spanish delicacies?”
Eve shook her head. “But I do love to learn new things and new recipes.”
“One of my daughters-in-law is from Spain. I would love to offer her a bit of home when she next visits Lampton Park.”
“Could we find a way to ask her about the Spanish treats she enjoyed?” Eve asked. “That would at least give me a place to begin.”
“I think we could nudge some information from her.” Mater laughed. “We will be the Bow Street Runners of baking.”
“We should wear red aprons!”
Mater laughed, pulling a laugh from Eve as well. Being a lady’s companion hadn’t been her intended path in life until very recently, yet she found herself increasingly pleased with her new position.
“And if you aren’t one who objects to travel,” Mater said, “perhaps we might travel to Spain to try a few delicacies for ourselves.”
Eve turned wide eyes on her. “I have long wanted to taste baked items in their countries of origin. I could learn so much from doing so.”
“Truly?” Mater looked almost emotional. “I have wanted to travel for years now. It was always my plan once my boys were grown, but I can’t seem to retain a companion long enough to do so.”
“We should start planning now ,” Eve said excitedly.
“I haven’t been to France in more than fifteen years,” Mater said, “and I’ve wanted to return to Paris.”
Paris . Good heavens. “Could we visit a patisserie while we are there? I have dreamed of doing that in Paris.”
“We can visit dozens of them.” Mater looked as excited as Eve felt.
“Have you ever been to Ireland?” Eve asked.
Mater nodded. “Not in many years though.”
Eve squeezed her arm. “We should visit there as well.”
“I will make certain you see your family regularly, Eve. Whenever you’d like.”
“While I am grateful to you for that,” Eve said, “I’d suggested Ireland because there’s no more magnificent place in all the world.”
“We’ll add it to the list.”
Eve clasped her hands together, grinning with absolute delight. She was not only going to be able to bake while living with Mater, but she was also going to get to travel.
“Of course, we need to make time for being in London during the Season,” Mater said. “At least for a few weeks.”
“Truly?” Eve had resigned herself to never participating again. She had grieved missing every moment her friends had together. Her heart ached at not being able to see Nia enjoy her time there.
“I, for one,” Mater said, mischievously, “refuse to miss the Debenhams’ ball.”
Eve could hardly believe how the proverbial tide had turned, and so quickly. “Thank you.”
It was an entirely different future than she’d ever imagined for herself, yet it was inarguably bright.
From the doorway, Gillian spoke. “Look who’s decided to join us.”
Eve, along with the rest of the room, turned in that direction. Gillian stepped inside with Nia on her arm.
“I feel a little better this afternoon,” Nia said. “And I’ve missed so much of this party.”
While nearly everyone in the room assisted Nia to a seat, Dr. Wilstead appeared in the doorway, watching her. He looked more observant than worried, which set Eve’s mind a bit at ease, though not entirely.
“Go speak with the doctor,” Mater suggested. “You’ll feel better if you do.”
Eve nodded at the wisdom of that, then followed through with the suggestion.
“I hope that she really is feeling better,” Eve said to him upon reaching where he stood.
“She is, though not as well as I would like. She is extremely tired and has admitted to me that she is in constant pain.”
“Oh mercy,” Eve whispered.
“But her spirits remain buoyant, which is promising.” Dr. Wilstead looked away from his patient and at Eve.
“What about her heart?” That was what worried Eve most.
“It still sounds strong,” Dr. Wilstead said. “But her fever keeps returning.”
“Progress but also struggles,” Eve said.
The doctor nodded. “I believe she will need another month before she will be well enough to safely travel.”
“How long before she could comfortably travel?” Eve didn’t want her sister to be in agony.
“That is more difficult to predict. I understand you will both be able to stay here for as long as she needs.”
“Yes. The Greenberrys are very generous.”
“They are.”
“As are you,” Eve said. “We are so near to Christmas. You must wish to be home for the holy day.”
“I don’t mind, Miss O’Doyle. There is a lady in the area I enjoy visiting with.” A bit of an unexpected blush touched the doctor’s expression. “And Fairfield is an enjoyable place to be.”
Eve’s gaze slipped to Duke. He was sitting with the Pack, smiling and happy. He’d been pensive during the first part of their baking adventures that day. His parents had been departing Fairfield during that time. He’d not wanted to return to the house to see them off, but he’d also seemed anxious not to be there when they left.
She didn’t fully understand his attachment to them. They knowingly caused him pain. Yet he worked so hard to maintain that connection. Why would he cling to that? She didn’t understand, but she loved him. And for his sake, she would walk with him while he navigated something that felt almost impossibly complicated. And she would hope that in the end, Duke was granted enough separation from his parents’ cruelty to give him faith that he and Eve could move forward into the future together.