Page 102 of The Best-Kept Secrets
“I’m going to miss you while we’re apart these next years, Duke,” Eve said.
“I will miss you too.” He pressed a kiss to the top of her head.
He took up the reins in both hands once more and set the horses in motion.
Eve leaned against him, an arrangement of tenderness and trust. He would more than just miss her while they were apart over the years to come; his heart would be left in her keeping.
Chapter Thirty-Seven
The Pack had trekked toPenfield for a spot of Christmas Eve pugilism while the Huntresses were turning the morning’s collected greenery into kissing boughs and garlands and other decorations.
Charlie and Duke were sparring inside the chalk circle they’d drawn.
“All I ask is that you avoid socking me in the mouth,” Charlie said. “My Artie’s making a kissing bough, and I’m planning to show my undying support for the endeavor.”
“But a well-placed jab would shut you up for a bit, which would earn me the undying support of everyone here at Penfield.”
A chorus of laughter and good-natured ragging followed. Charlie seemed to be the most amused of anyone. Being his friend was a never-ending delight. He was never dismissive of the Pack’s struggles or dreams or hopes. He supported them in every imaginable way while also managing to make them smile and laugh regularly.
“Don’t let Duke fool you,” Colm said, lounging at his leisure on the sofa. “Everyone knows he plans to make ample use of the kissing boughs himself.”
Seated beside him, Tobias said, “Kissinghimself. How will he manage that?”
“It will be an awe-inspiring Christmas miracle,” Colm answered.
“What was that?” Fennel stepped over to the sofa, managing to look confused. “A nausea-inspiring Christmas miracle?”
Duke looked back at Charlie. “I think you’ve been a bad influence on our youngest Pack member.”
“Poppy doesn’t need a bad influence.” Charlie grinned.
From the hanging bag of hay, which Scott had been pummeling while Newton braced it and Toss looked on, Scott said, “The very mature, married component over here would like to point out that the lot of you are shockingly juvenile.”
“Iam part of the married component of the Pack,” Charlie said, pretending to be hurt by the oversight.
“Scott specified thematurepart of the married section of the Pack,” Newton said.
With a dramatic sigh, Toss stepped away. “That removes me from membership.”
Duke couldn’t imagine his life without this group of friends. “Will there be any room in that ‘mature’ group for someone who isn’t married?” he asked. “I’ll be in London, after all, along with Newton and Toss.”
“I thought Toss just disqualified himself from the mature section.” Colm made a show of being confused.
“What is your evaluation, Tobias?” Charlie asked. “Toss is your brother-in-law, after all.”
“That is a trap I am not about to fall into.” Tobias shook his head. “Daria and Toss are the only members of my family I don’t mind spending time with.”
“A glowing recommendation,” Duke said dryly.
And again, the gentlemen laughed and teased.
To the room as a whole, Fennel asked, “Will all of us be in London this Season?”
While almost everyone nodded, Scott did not. “We’ll have to be absent this coming year. But retrenching significantly during 1820 will, we hope, mean that from 1821 onward, we’ll be breathing quite a bit easier.”
Then, perhaps this wouldn’t be the last time they were all together.
The door to Penfield opened, revealing Uncle Niles standing on the threshold. “Your ladies are beginning to ask a lot of questions about where the lot of you have disappeared to. Best hop back over to Fairfield before they form a Christmas Eve hunting party.”
