Page 96 of The Best-Kept Secrets
“I think I will talk with her now,” Eve said to Duke before rising and crossing to her.
“We have had such delightful tea goodies these past days,” Mater said, taking another bite of a biscuit. “We’ll all leave Fairfield with very high expectations.”
Eve motioned her a bit aside. Mater looked intrigued.
“There is something I think you should know since I will be living with you for some time. It is yet another secret, so—Actually, all the Huntresses already know, as do Duke and Charlie. But it still does need to be kept from essentially everyone else. I do so hate to ask you to keep another secret.”
Mater squeezed her hand. “Do not feel the least badly about it.”
Eve nodded, then pushed forward. “Because of my family’s financial woes, we have all needed to develop skills most in thetonnever do. My contribution to the household was doing the baking, and I found I enjoy it. I also discovered I have a talent for it. I actually miss baking when I’m away from home.”
Quick as that, a look of complete understanding entered Mater’s eyes. She gave Eve a hug, whispering, “By the time we arrive at the Lampton Park dower house, I will have sorted a way for you to bake whenever you’d like without risking your secret becoming known.”
“Thank you.” Eve hugged her tightly in return.
“Do you promise you will bake ginger biscuits now and then?” Mater smiled.
“Every single day if you’d like.”
“Excellent.” Mater stepped back but then hooked their arms and began walking with Eve at a leisurely pace around the drawing room, allowing for a private conversation. “Do you know how to bake any Spanish delicacies?”
Eve shook her head. “But I do love to learn new things and new recipes.”
“One of my daughters-in-law is from Spain. I would love to offer her a bit of home when she next visits Lampton Park.”
“Could we find a way to ask her about the Spanish treats she enjoyed?” Eve asked. “That would at least give me a place to begin.”
“I think we could nudge some information from her.” Mater laughed. “We will be the Bow Street Runners of baking.”
“We should wear red aprons!”
Mater laughed, pulling a laugh from Eve as well. Being a lady’s companion hadn’t been her intended path in life until very recently, yet she found herself increasingly pleased with her new position.
“And if you aren’t one who objects to travel,” Mater said, “perhaps we might travel to Spain to try a few delicacies for ourselves.”
Eve turned wide eyes on her. “I have long wanted to taste baked items in their countries of origin. I could learn so much from doing so.”
“Truly?” Mater looked almost emotional. “I have wanted to travel for years now. It was always my plan once my boys were grown, but I can’t seem to retain a companion long enough to do so.”
“We should start planningnow,” Eve said excitedly.
“I haven’t been to France in more than fifteen years,” Mater said, “and I’ve wanted to return to Paris.”
Paris. Good heavens. “Could we visit a pâtisserie while we are there? I have dreamed of doing that in Paris.”
“We can visit dozens of them.” Mater looked as excited as Eve felt.
“Have you ever been to Ireland?” Eve asked.
Mater nodded. “Not in many years though.”
Eve squeezed her arm. “We should visit there as well.”
“I will make certain you see your family regularly, Eve. Whenever you’d like.”
“While I am grateful to you for that,” Eve said, “I’d suggested Ireland because there’s no more magnificent place in all the world.”
“We’ll add it to the list.”
