Eve sat up straight. She’d not ever really considered what her aunt would have been like when she was younger. “But you married Lord Tannenbaum.”
“And he was a wonderful person. I loved him dearly.”
“But he was not your true love?”
Aunt Winifred exhaled loudly. “He was a very good man.”
“Did your true love betray you?”
Her aunt stared at her and then, after coming to a decision, shrugged in a manner that reminded Eve very much of Noelle.
“I think it would be much more truthful to say that I betrayed myself. Or that we betrayed one another. Anyway, I can hardly even remember what great offense it was that he committed. I sent him away and expected him to come back for me. He assumed I meant it when I said I never wanted to see him again. Forever is a very long time to live with regret. So, no. I most definitely do not think your sister is making a mistake.”
“So, you have seen him again? You have spoken to him?”
Aunt Winifred turned back toward Eve and raised her brows. “Why do you think I returned to Maybridge Falls?”
“But I thought it was because Lord Tannenbaum loved it here?”
Her aunt shook her head and Eve suddenly realized…
“Mr. Kringle?”
Her aunt pinched her lips together and then shrugged again. “A woman does what a woman must do. I was… tired of living with regret.”
Eve simply stared at the woman who was far more complex than she ever would have imagined.
“But now I have a question for you, dearest Eve.”
Eve licked her lips, a little uncomfortable with what she suspected was coming. “Yes?”
“Are you going to allow your Merry Marquess to get away a second time? Or are you willing to risk your heart again?”
“How do you know about…?”
The older lady smiled sadly. “Your mother and I shared a great deal with each other.”
This information had Eve wondering, “Did you know it was him? That morning in the square.”
“The moment he said his name. But that is of no matter. Noelle is willing to risk a little pain for a lifetime of love. Are you as well?”
“That’s different though,” Eve responded automatically. “How can I be sure—?”
Her aunt narrowed her eyes. “You can never be sure.”
“But Mama, and then Papa…” As Eve went to explain her fears, she realized how irrational they were. Even so, knowing they were irrational and facing them weren’t quite the same thing.
Aunt Winifred rose and crossed the room to where Eve was standing. She then grasped both of Eve’s hands and squeezed them. “Do you love him?”
Eve hadn’t wanted to admit it, even to herself. Because if she loved him, he had the power to hurt her all over again.
“I do.”
“Then have faith in yourself. Have faith in love.” Her aunt’s gaze shifted to the window. “Because if I am not mistaken, there is a particularly handsome young gentleman who wants nothing more than to make you happy. Why don’t you allow him to try?”
Aunt Winifred dropped her hands and crossed the room to the door.
“Where are you going, Aunt?” Eve reached out as though to stop her.
“Why, across the commons to spend the day with my love. I’ve learned my lesson and who knows how much time any of us has left? Why would I waste a second of it?”
Which left Eve standing alone in her chamber, feeling as though she had real choices for the first time in months. She’d invited him to dine here tonight, and he’d not sent word indicating that he would cancel.
Noelle and Holly were gone, as was Aunt Winifred. It seemed everyone except for her had forgotten all about their invited guest.
Eve smoothed her gown and made for the kitchen. She’d not allow Cook to ruin this evening’s meal. Eve wanted everything to be perfect.
Because whereas the duke and their other friend had left Maybridge Falls earlier that day, Nicholas had stayed.
And he’d stayed for her.
Chapter 10
Eve had not sent Nick any sort of missive rescinding the invitation she’d made the night before and so he had every intention of presenting himself at exactly seven in the evening. He grimaced to himself. Even if she had decided to cancel, he would have tracked her down.
Not a man who relied upon his valet except for during the Season, Nick cursed the fact that he’d ditched the man in London on this particular occasion. He had no difficulty brushing out his best breeches, waistcoat, and jacket. He even managed to smooth out the wrinkles in his linen shirt. It was the damn cravat that got him every time. After retying the blasted thing no less than ten times, he eventually fashioned some sort of a knot and admitted defeat.
Staring into the mirror, Nick combed his hair back and then dabbed at the few places he’d cut himself shaving. He took a deep breath and glanced down at his timepiece. In less than ten minutes, he would know exactly how upset she was with him for keeping Dash’s secret from her. Having a sense that the fate of his future would be decided that night, Nick slid his hands into pristine white gloves and then donned both his greatcoat and top hat in a ritual that felt oddly ceremonial.
It was time.
The door clicked softly behind him as he straightened his jacket and then made his way down the stairwell. If she sent him away—if she refused him—he’d be forced to return later that night and drink alone.
His friends had left him behind.
Everything was different now. He felt an odd melancholy deep inside, realizing that their friendships would never be the same. He would marry Eve, he was determined to make that happen, but even if he failed, he could not go on carousing as they had for the past decade.
“Are you by any chance heading to Lady Tannenbaum’s?” Mr. Rudolph met him in the foyer. Judging by the aromatic scents that accompanied
