Page 95 of The Best-Kept Secrets
“For now, we’ll trust that the future will sort itself,” she said. “What are you needing to sort things a bit in the present?”
“I think a hug would help.” He felt a little foolish making such a juvenile request. But it was what he needed.
Eve wrapped her arms around him. He held her in return, closing his eyes and enveloping himself in the comfort she offered and the tranquil happiness he felt when he was with her. And he didn’t think he would ever forget her fierce defense of him the night before, the succinct way she had declared that he didn’t deserve the treatment he had for so long endured from his family. He had sometimes struggled to believe that himself.
“I love you, Aoife,” he whispered. “I hope you know that.”
“I do.” She looked up at him without breaking the embrace. “And I think I know what else you love.” There was mischief in her silvery eyes.
“What is that?”
“Baking. And I know just the place where you could indulge in a bit of ittoday.”
He smiled. Mere minutes after having to finally abandon hope of his parents changing or wanting to stop hurting him, he smiled. Bless the heavens for Aoife O’Doyle. “I think I would thoroughly enjoy that.”
“Excellent.” She rose on her toes and pressed a kiss to his cheek. “And I hope you know that I love you, too, Dubhán.”
Chapter Thirty-Five
Charlie and Artemis had servedas “chaperones” during Eve and Duke’s second time baking in the cottage kitchen. Charlie had entered a request for ginger biscuits. Only when those biscuits, along with the bread pudding Eve and Duke had also baked that morning, were set out along with tea that afternoon did Eve realize why Charlie had asked for what he had.
“Ginger biscuits are my favorite,” Mater said, clearly delighted.
Eve looked at Charlie sitting between his wife, whom everyone knew favored bread pudding, and his mother, who was also getting her favorite treat. He looked deeply pleased at their excitement.
To Duke, who sat next to her, Eve said, “Charlie looks happy enough that one would think ’twashisfavorite foods being offered today.”
“You have made an ally there, Eve. Few things will earn a person the undying gratitude of the Jonquil brothers faster than helping them do something kind for their mother, wives, and children.”
“And for each other?” Eve guessed.
He nodded. “Their family is the most loving and loyal I’ve ever met.”
She took his hand. “I want so badly for you to spend some time with my family, Duke. My parents will fuss over you in the best way. And I predict Edmund and Scuff will idolize you immediately before coercing you into joining their endless mischief.”
He lifted her hand and kissed it. “I would enjoy that immensely.”
From across the room, Daria said, “I think the bread pudding has nutmeg in it. I love nutmeg.”
“C’est délicieux,” Lisette said before having another spoonful of the pudding.
“C’est très délicieux,” her aunt said.
“That sounded likedelicious,” Eve said to Duke.
He smiled at her. “Lisette said it wasdelicious, and Mme Fortier said it wasvery delicious.”
“I am determined to sniff out what everyone’s favorites are and try to bake them all before the house party ends,” Eve said.
Duke bent closer and spoke quietly. “You should consider telling Mater about your baking.”
A bubble of hope expanded on the instant. “She might allow me to bake at the dower house without giving away the secret.”
“Precisely.”
Mater rose and took a plate with two ginger biscuits on it across the room to Scott, who had just stepped inside.
“Thank you, Mater.” He gave her a quick one-armed hug, then sat with his wife.
