Page 87 of The Best-Kept Secrets
Duke handed her down. A walkway of flagstones had been laid, beginning on either side of where the gig sat and extending all the way to the door of the cottage. It meant they could make the short walk without being up to their ankles in mud.
They’d not gone a single step when the door opened, and Artemis and Ellie waved to Eve.
“I’d not thought I could be more intrigued than I was,” Eve said.
“They helped me arrange all this.”
She looked up at him as they approached the door. “Allwhat?”
“You’ll see.”
No matter that she was still a little uncertain of him, her heart flipped around at the sight of his smile.
Duke led her past their greeters and into the cozy, well-appointed cottage. The visiting staff who stayed there must be deeply pleased with their accommodations. To one side of the door was a sitting area, clearly comfortable furnishings gathered pleasingly around a low-burning fire.
Eve looked in the other direction toward a small kitchen area with a fire already lit in the fireplace. Several crates sat on the worktable. Duke motioned her in that direction.
She crossed to the worktable and peeked inside the crates. Goodness. There was flour, sugar, eggs, and butter. She found baking tools alongside jars of spices and dried fruits. A great many unexpected cooking treasures.
“You told me that the Huntresses knew of your interest in baking, so I enlisted their help,” Duke said.
Eve looked from Duke to Artemis and Ellie and back. “This is for me?”
“For the remainder of the house party,” Duke said.
“Where did you get all this?” She had all she would need to bake any number of dishes.
“I stole it.”
Eve spun about, surprised by Duke’s declaration. But there was amusement in his eyes.
“We made a request of the Fairfield kitchen,” Artemis said. “And the request was approved by Mrs. Greenberry, done so without anyone knowing why or for whom we were requesting it.”
“I can truly use any of this?” Heaven help her, she was growing excited.
“Every last bit,” Duke said.
Eve began pulling items from the crates. “What ought I to bake first, do you think? There are so many possibilities.”
“Whatever you wish,” Duke said. “And whatever you don’t choose today, you can bake tomorrow or the next day, whenever you choose to come back.”
“Wehavedemanded to be recompensed for our time and efforts with something delicious,” Artemis said as she and Ellie took seats beside the other fireplace.
“Ah, something delicious.” Eve nodded very solemnly. “I had intended to go in the opposite direction.”
Duke hung his greatcoat on a peg near the door, then hung his hat atop it. He laid his gloves on the narrow table nearest those pegs. Eve was so excited by the prospect of baking that she’d not even remembered until he’d pulled off his outercoat that she was still dressed for the out of doors. She unbuttoned her wool pelisse, and he helped her slip it off. While she untied her bonnet, Duke hung up her coat. Her bonnet joined it, then her gloves took their place beside his.
She couldn’t help a little bounce in her step as she returned to the worktable. “There are so many possibilities.” She took up the task of emptying the crates once more. “What is your favorite baked treat, Duke?”
“Nothing particularly impressive.”
She looked over at him. “Things don’t have to be impressive to be enjoyed.”
“I have never been able to resist shortbread biscuits.”
Eve assessed her ingredients. “I have everything to make shortbread. Oh, there’s even dried lemon zest. Perhaps I could make Shrewsbury biscuits.”
He moved to stand by her. “I’m not familiar with those.”
