Page 13 of The Best-Kept Secrets
“Let us see you settled, Grandmother.”
He led her from the private dining room, the sound of the O’Doyle sisters’ laughter echoing after them. This journey would have been an endless stream of entertainment had Grandmother not been made part of it, even with the familial difficulty that awaited him at the end.
One benefit, if he could call it that, of being in company with his grandmother for the next few days, was the inescapable reminder ofwhyhe needed to make the precarious request of his aunt and uncle.
If he made his home with his parents, he would spend decades fielding their complaints and soothing their hurt feelings. The difficult moments would far outnumber the pleasant ones if he were never away from his parents. He cherished the happy memories he had with them, even if they were fewer and farther between than he wished. If he had any hope of making more, he needed an escape from Writtlestone. Though his parents frustrated and upset his aunt when they were together, he had enough experience with his aunt and uncle, during visits to London, when they werenotin company with his parents, to know that they were otherwise very peaceful people.
And he needed some promise of peace.
Chapter Five
Eve and Nia retired tothe simple but tidy bedchamber they had been assigned at the inn. Having already helped each other dress for bed, they were now laying out their clothes in preparation for an early departure the next morning.
“Mrs. Seymour would certainly have a lot to say were she to realize we are acting as each other’s abigails.” Nia flashed the wide grin the O’Doyles were well-known for.
In her best imitation of an extremely sophisticated English accent, Eve said, “This is shocking! I cannot countenance making this journey with two such shocking people.”
They laughed, a sound Eve had grown up surrounded by.
Nia shook her head. “Poor Mrs. Seymour never seems anything but disgruntled with everyone and everything.”
“And poor Duke as well,” Eve added. “He is, no doubt, used to her bemoanings, but he clearly doesn’t enjoy the experience. He looked worn down after only one day of this journey.”
“Do you suppose he’ll murder her before we reach Fairfield?” Nia turned to look at Eve with theatrically wide eyes.
“No, because he specifically asked me not to do so.”
“What if he made his request only so you don’t rob him of the opportunity?”
Assuming her aristocratic English accent once again, Eve said, “Shocking!”
With everything ready for the next day, Eve crossed the cold wood floor and climbed into the very inviting bed. She scooted down under the blanket. “You will be relieved to know the linens are not overly rough.”
Nia laughed once more as she brought the candle over and set it on the bedside table, then climbed slowly and carefully under the blankets as well.
“What were you and Duke talking about?” Nia asked. “You seemed to be enjoying the topic, whatever it was.”
“I told him he would make an excellent spinster.”
“Youwhat?” The question emerged as a sputter.
“He is twenty-one, unattached, and hasn’t a house of his own.” Eve pulled the blanket all the way up to her neck, grateful for the warmth. “I believe that makes him a prime candidate for spinsterhood.”
“And you told him as much?”
“You know perfectly well that I have a very difficult timenotsaying the things that jump into my mind. It spilled out before I could stop myself.”
She could feel the bed shake a bit as Nia laughed. “And what was his response?”
“He joined in the jest. I thought, for the length of a breath, that he might even smile. Father would have been proud.”
“Since Dukealmostsmiled, I think we can safely say that Father would bealmostproud of you.”
“I cannot leave it at that. I am determined that Father will be completely proud of me by the time we return to Tulleyloch.”
“And leave me as the daughter in whom he is disappointed?” Nia scoffed. “I shall simply have to make Duke smile as well.”
“Do,” Eve said. “With his grandmother being so vexing, I suspect he will appreciate having a reason to smile, even if he doesn’t allow himself to actually do it.”
