Page 97 of The Best-Kept Secrets
Eve clasped her hands together, grinning with absolute delight. She was not only going to be able to bake while living with Mater, but she was also going to get to travel.
“Of course, we need to make time for being in London during the Season,” Mater said. “At least for a few weeks.”
“Truly?” Eve had resigned herself to never participating again. She had grieved missing every moment her friends had together. Her heart ached at not being able to see Nia enjoy her time there.
“I, for one,” Mater said, mischievously, “refuse to miss the Debenhams’ ball.”
Eve could hardly believe how the proverbial tide had turned, and so quickly. “Thank you.”
It was an entirely different future than she’d ever imagined for herself, yet it was inarguably bright.
From the doorway, Gillian spoke. “Look who’s decided to join us.”
Eve, along with the rest of the room, turned in that direction. Gillian stepped inside with Nia on her arm.
“I feel a little better this afternoon,” Nia said. “And I’ve missed so much of this party.”
While nearly everyone in the room assisted Nia to a seat, Dr. Wilstead appeared in the doorway, watching her. He looked more observant than worried, which set Eve’s mind a bit at ease, though not entirely.
“Go speak with the doctor,” Mater suggested. “You’ll feel better if you do.”
Eve nodded at the wisdom of that, then followed through with the suggestion.
“I hope that she really is feeling better,” Eve said to him upon reaching where he stood.
“She is, though not as well as I would like. She is extremely tired and has admitted to me that she is in constant pain.”
“Oh mercy,” Eve whispered.
“But her spirits remain buoyant, which is promising.” Dr. Wilstead looked away from his patient and at Eve.
“What about her heart?” That was what worried Eve most.
“It still sounds strong,” Dr. Wilstead said. “But her fever keeps returning.”
“Progress but also struggles,” Eve said.
The doctor nodded. “I believe she will need another month before she will be well enough to safely travel.”
“How long before she couldcomfortablytravel?” Eve didn’t want her sister to be in agony.
“That is more difficult to predict. I understand you will both be able to stay here for as long as she needs.”
“Yes. The Greenberrys are very generous.”
“They are.”
“As are you,” Eve said. “We are so near to Christmas. You must wish to be home for the holy day.”
“I don’t mind, Miss O’Doyle. There is a lady in the area I enjoy visiting with.” A bit of an unexpected blush touched the doctor’s expression. “And Fairfield is an enjoyable place to be.”
Eve’s gaze slipped to Duke. He was sitting with the Pack, smiling and happy. He’d been pensive during the first part of their baking adventures that day. His parents had been departing Fairfield during that time. He’d not wanted to return to the house to see them off, but he’d also seemed anxious not to be there when they left.
She didn’t fully understand his attachment to them. They knowingly caused him pain. Yet he worked so hard to maintain that connection. Why would he cling to that? She didn’t understand, but she loved him. And for his sake, she would walk with him while he navigated something that felt almost impossibly complicated. And she would hope that in the end, Duke was granted enough separation from his parents’ cruelty to give him faith that he and Eve could move forward into the future together.
Chapter Thirty-Six
Christmas Eve arrived with hardlyanyone in the group even realizing it. Duke’s time had been divided between planning and preparing with his aunt and uncle for their pending departure for London and baking with Eve in the mornings. He’d also done all he could to help her look after her sister, who had taken a bit of a turn for the worse, even after Dr. Wilstead’s more optimistic evaluations of late. And he found himself wondering about his parents—if they had regrets, if they would ever actually change.
