Page 78 of The Best-Kept Secrets
Deep-pitched, boisterous voices floated in from beyond the door. In near-perfect unison, all the Huntresses present said, “The Pack.” And a moment later, the gentlemen poured inside, laughing, shoving each other, and grinning.
Eve immediately found Duke. He looked content, which she hoped meant his parents and grandmother hadn’t rung a peal over his head for tossing them from the drawing room the night before. He had endured a lot from his parents and grandmother, but it was only after they had insultedherthat he’d put a very public and vocal end to their behavior. She wanted to thank him, to tell her how touched she was, but he’d insisted on this distance between them. He likely wouldn’t welcome her narrowing it even for a well-deserved expression of gratitude.
“Nia.” Charlie eagerly led the gentlemen to the sofa. “Just who we were looking for.”
“You were looking for me?”
They all nodded eagerly. Tobias, Newton, Scott, and Toss all held out small plates, a different baked good on each.
“We’ve just been to the kitchen, where we shamelessly stole a variety of delicacies for you,” Charlie said, “and we have subsequently committed ourselves to extremely irresponsible wagers regarding which of the options you will declare your favorite.”
Wonderful, thoughtful gentlemen, every last one of them. Though they’d made a friendly game of their offering, Eve knew perfectly well they’d done this as a means of lifting Nia’s spirits.
“As I am not part of this wager,” Eve said, “I will step aside and let Nia ponder her answer without running the risk of unduly influencing her.” She rose and moved away from the sofa, allowing her sister to receive all the attention and kindness she deserved.
Eve hadn’t gone far at all when Duke separated from his friends and walked toward her. That was decidedly unexpected.
Eve very nearly held her breath.
“How is Nia today?” Duke asked quietly.
“Not any better. I don’t want to assume that means hers will be a severely prolonged illness, but I am worried about that. And I keep watching her for signs of heart distress, which terrifies me.” What was she doing? She was supposed to be carrying this by herself, not burdening him with her troubles.
But Duke didn’t look upset. “How areyouholding up?”
“I have a lot I am attempting to sort out. But I think I am closer to doing so.”
From her place on the sofa, Nia declared that the gingerbread was her choice among the offerings the Pack had brought her.
Colm immediately turned to the rest of the gentlemen. “Just as I insisted, yet not one of you agreed. I will be making good on those wagers, my friends.”
With a theatrical sigh, Toss said, “We really should have given heed to the wisdom he has gained in his old age.”
“It isn’t a matter of age, young one,” Colm said very solemnly—a littletoosolemnly. “It is, rather, the benefit of a life strategy that I have honed over the years.”
“And what strategy is that?” Scott asked with a grin.
“Paying attention.” Colm took the plate from him, then turned to Nia and presented it with a flourish. “Your gingerbread, Miss Nia.”
The Pack laughed at Colm’s antics. Nia smiled and blushed a little. It did Eve’s heart good to see.
“I wanted to warn them that Nia likely has very high standards in baked treats,” Duke said quietly, “but I didn’t dare run the risk of tipping your hand.”
“I told the Huntresses about my... hobby. I hadn’t intended to, but I’d very recently lost my confidant.” She didn’t dare look at Duke, not trusting herself to keep her emotions in check. “I wanted so badly to be seen by someone.”
From the whist table, Artemis said, “I hope the Pack realizes we will absolutely abandon you to the ire of the Fairfield cook once your pilfering is discovered.”
“You would leave us to such a cruel fate, and after we’ve only recently escaped the clutches of Mme Dupuis?” Charlie was up to his usual theatrics. “Will you at least weep when you eulogize me and my tragic end at the hands of an offended chef?”
From the doorway came an unexpected answer. “Your wife might weep for you, but your brothers would mock your kitchen-related misfortunes.” Everyone spun about to find Charlie’s mother standing there, watching them all with a look of maternal fondness. The loving radiance she exuded was undimmed by the black she always wore.
“Mater!” Charlie rushed to her and pulled his mother into a hug.
Artemis was there an instant later. Scott moved only slightly less swiftly. Daria and Gillian joined in. Before long, everyone was surrounding the newly arrived dowager countess, whom all the Huntresses and the Pack called Mater, just as her sons did. Eve hung back, sitting once more beside Nia, who looked too tired to do anything but nibble at her gingerbread.
“This house party keeps growing larger and larger,” Eve said. “Christmas will be very merry indeed.”
Nia nodded, the movement slow and weary.
