Page 57 of The Best-Kept Secrets
He motioned her toward the drawing room and, under the pretense of accompanying her, left his father behind.
The Huntresses rushed to the door the moment Lisette appeared there. If she’d harbored any doubts as to her importance to her friends, they would have instantly vanished. She was pulled into one embrace after another. There were even a few tears of joy.
“I am attempting not to be jealous,” Artemis said, “but the Fortiers being permitted to greet you first nearly undid my ability to be civil.”
“I did not know they would be here.” A hint of emotion touched Lisette’s words.
“Are they still here?” Scott asked.
Lisette looked over at him, wariness written all over her face. “They are.” Duke wasn’t sure any two syllables spoken in English had ever been so obviously French. “But,s’il vous plaît, do not ask them questions about...” She didn’t seem to know how to finish her request without, apparently, giving away the very thing she did not wish to be brought up.
“I had only hoped to thank them,” Scott said. “Their kind generosity allowed Gillian and I to marry, and we don’t even know them.”
“They are the very best of people,” Lisette said.
“When I first met them,” Daria said, “they were kind and amiable. Once they knew I was a Huntress, they were inarguably excited to meet me. I never could sort out what difference that made.”
“I think they are pleased that I have friends.” Poor Lisette looked embarrassed. “They care a lot about me.”
“Because you are French?” Daria guessed.
Lisette smiled but not in a way that indicated she was laughing at her friend. “Because I am their niece.”
And with that simple declaration, a great many bits of information began to make sense. Lisette and the Fortiers were family. No matter that Duke’s family argued, theydid,on some level, care what happened to each other. They’d all worried over Colm while he’d been at war. Duke had received letters from his aunt and uncle and grandmother whilst away at school.
The Huntresses pulled Lisette entirely among themselves, diving directly into the task of catching up on all that had happened to each of them. The Pack had always been close as well. The flat they’d shared at Cambridge had been filled with laughter and support and camaraderie. And no matter if he did secure a place with his aunt and uncle or had to spend his time in London at his parents’ London residence, he fully expected to enjoy those parts of the Season when this group of friends were all together.
Except Eve.
She was going to lose these precious moments with them.
And he had already lost her.
Chapter Twenty-Two
Eve pinned a few loosebits of hair back in place, hoping she looked mostly presentable. She was tired and half-tempted to insist that she should remain in her bedchamber looking after Nia. But as her sister was sleeping and was likely, according to Dr. Wilstead, to continue doing so for the remainder of the night, that excuse would not hold water.
There was a light rap on the door. Eve crossed and opened it, finding Lisette standing on the other side.
“Lisette.” Eve gave her friend a hug. She’d not had the opportunity to greet Lisette in the hours since her arrival, having been fully occupied in the sickroom. “’Tis a grand thing seeing you again.”
“I am so happy to be with the Huntresses again. And the Pack, as I am told the gentlemen have named themselves.” Lisette had always been soft-spoken. People who didn’t know her well might think she was shy, though she wasn’t. “I am told Nia is ill. Is she equal to having a brief visit?”
Eve shook her head. “She is sleeping. The doctor believes she will sleep all night.”
“Well, we must not wake her.” Lisette looked a bit disappointed.
The Huntresses were all so dear to each other, and they missed each other terribly when they were apart. Eve didn’t know if that offered her more comfort or more heartache as she faced a lifetime away from them.
“May I walk with you to the drawing room?” Lisette requested.
“Certainly.” Eve closed the door, careful not to make noise. Mrs. Greenberry had assured her that her own abigail would look in on Nia periodically throughout the evening. “It appeared, from our vantage point by the windows, that M. Fortier sent Mme Dupuis away. Did he truly beard the dragon so handily?”
Lisette nodded. “He is quiet and reserved, so most people do not realize that he has... What is the phrase used here?” How Eve wished she spoke French so her friend needn’t search about for the English word. “He has a backbone of steel. My aunt even more so.”
“Are they to serve as your chaperones during the house party?” Eve asked.
“Yes, and they will beune grande... improvement. Everyone will like them very much.” Lisette looked more than merely relieved or pleased; she looked ecstatic. Mme Dupuis had been a gloomy cloud over the last house party, but Lisette had been subject to that gloom without escape for years. “I have every hope that they can fill that same role in the coming Season during those gatherings or outings my parents will not be participating in.”
