Page 105 of The Best-Kept Secrets
“Also somethingeveryoneunderstands,” Nia said dryly.
“He doesn’t yet know how they will respond to his change in residence and his new role as political secretary for, as they so caringly put it, ‘the enemy.’ He’s afraid they’ll still manage to make him and everyone around him wretchedly unhappy.”
“Would their unkindness actually convince you to walk away from him?” Nia asked.
“No,” she said, smiling inwardly. “But he needs to know that I chose a life with him with full understanding of what that means. And I’ve patience enough to make certain he has that reassurance.”
Tears shimmered in Nia’s eyes. “You really do love him.”
“So much.”
Her sister smiled at her. “Then, in a year or two or however long is needed, I will be very happy for him to be my brother.”
“Not nearly as happy as I will be.”
“Will the wait be worth it?” Nia asked.
Eve closed her eyes and smiled. “Absolutely worth it.”
Chapter Thirty-Eight
Upon deciding to hold theirhouse party during the holy season, the Huntresses and Pack had made an unbreakable commitment to each other that absolutely no gifts would be exchanged.
Eve knew this was a way of saving those without financial means from feeling any pressure to obtain gifts and experiencing any embarrassment at being the only ones without offerings. But as Christmas morning gave way to Christmas afternoon, she knew with certainty that the arrangement hadn’t been a concession at all. Being together was the greatest gift she could think of. She was surrounded by her very best friends. Everyone was being thoughtful of Nia but not in a pitying or suffocating way. The holy day was peaceful while also filled with laughter. And Duke had spent the entirety of it with her, holding her hand, sitting beside her, talking about anything and everything.
She wouldn’t have him with her for long. He and his aunt and uncle were leaving for London in only a few more days. She wouldn’t follow for months.Months.Though she’d set a goal for herself not to dwell on his looming departure, she couldn’t entirely clear her thoughts of it. And she must not have kept her sorrow from her expression, as Duke regularly drew her closer and whispered, “I will miss you as well.”
They were sitting together, listening to Toss and Tobias trade entertaining tales from their various school experiences, when Artemis tiptoed over to Eve and Duke.
“I’ve come to steal you two for a moment,” she said quietly.
Careful not to disrupt the storytelling, they followed Artemis out of the drawing room and to the nearby sitting room. Charlie was inside, as was Mater. And Artemis shut the door behind them, which was decidedly unexpected.
“I have had yet another brilliant idea,” Artemis said, taking a seat beside Charlie. “There have been so many that I’m certain you have lost count.”
Charlie grinned at her, clearly delighted by his wife’s theatrics.
“But to share that brilliant idea,” Artemis continued, “I first need to make Duke aware of something few people know.”
“I am intrigued,” Duke said.
With a nod, Artemis answered, “You should be.”
Mater’s smile was as amused as Charlie’s but heavily infused with an undeniably maternal bent.
“This cannot go beyond this room,” Artemis warned Duke.
“My secret keeping can be depended on,” he said.
“As you know, the Huntresses are particularly fond of Miss Martinette’s dress shop.”
Duke shook his head. “I did not know that, but I do now.”
Artemis looked surprised. “We spent countless hours there during the Season.”
Eve jumped in. “And Duke spent only a week in London.”
“True.” Artemis nodded her head. “I suppose your ignorance on the matter can be tolerated this time.”
