“She should have listened to him.”
She dropped her gaze to stare down at their hands. “Shall we eat before everything grows cold? I dared not allow Cook to attempt to keep anything warm in the oven.”
“That sounds absolutely perfect.” As he spoke the words, he realized that any time spent with this woman would be perfection for him. “I’m looking forward to your pie.”
The corner of Eve’s mouth twitched, but she wasn’t about to be baited. But he knew she was remembering too.
Nick carried Mr. Rudolph’s dish, and Eve elaborated on the events of the afternoon as he followed her into the adjacent dining room. In the center of the table, a candelabra had been lit, making for a most romantic setting. Nick was happy to see that they wouldn’t be sitting at opposite ends of the table. One of the settings was at the head of the table, and the other, beside it, at a right angle.
As soon as they were seated, the woman who’d met him at the door entered and placed two plates filled with everything but a main course before them. Eve uncovered the dish he’d brought along and forked some of the roast onto both of their plates. The meal could have consisted of gruel and dirt and it would have met with his approval.
“You mentioned that apple pie hasn’t always been your favorite,” she commented. Nick wanted to reach out and touch her cheek as he watched a warm blush rise up her neck. “What other pies do you like?”
“Anything you make,” he answered, realizing how very true they were.
“I want to know.” She laughed.
He swallowed his bite before answering. “Mulberries. Cherries. Blackberries.”
“So… any sort of berry pie? Strawberries?”
He nodded. “Raspberries.”
“Did you—” Eve began haltingly.
Nick stilled when she cleared her throat.
“Did you have any of your favorite pies while traveling the continent?”
She was not asking about pie.
With deliberate purpose, Nick set his fork along the side of his plate, leaned forward, and captured her wrist. “I visited a few… bakeries. I wanted to. But.” He stared into her eyes as shadows flickered across her lovely features. “I couldn’t. I haven’t.”
She swallowed hard and then tilted her head. “No… pie at all?”
He shook his head. “None.”
And now he knew why. Somewhere, deep inside, he had always known he’d find her again. He’d tried to convince himself otherwise. He’d done his best to fool himself into believing that he could move on to other women.
He would not have. He’d needed her.
Eve.
And in that moment, he experienced unexpected joy that he could give her this. “You are the only woman I wanted. The only woman I’ll ever want.”
A lone tear that hovered on one of her lashes glistened in the candlelight.
“Some wine?” Lady Tannenbaum’s notorious cook appeared in the door.
Nick withdrew his hand and nodded. “Thank you.”
Eve stared down at her plate, nodding almost imperceptibly.
“Such a fine roast Mr. Rudolph sent over,” the cook commented. “Works out real well that he always makes too much.”
Eve jerked her head up. “There’s far too much for just the two of us.” She lifted the dish off the table. “Did you care for anymore, Nicholas?”
“I’ve everything I need right here. Thank you.” Because she was his everything. She always had been.
“Why don’t you take this back to the kitchen and have some for yourself?”
The cook hesitated. “What of your aunt?”
“I’m certain she has everything she needs as well.”
The older woman thanked Eve profusely, apologizing several times for the slightly overcooked condition of the lamb and, after being reassured emphatically by Eve, eventually backed out of the room. When the door closed behind her, Nick subdued his frustration by filling his lungs with a deep breath.
He’d moments ago declared to Eve that she was the only woman in the world for him. Where did he go from there?
“I love you.” Eve blurted the words so quickly that Nick wasn’t quite certain he’d heard right. She leaned forward in her chair. “And I trust you. I do. I’m sorry I ever doubted you.”
“You…”
“I love you, Nicholas St. Hope.” She drew her shoulders back and lifted her chin. “You’re the only man in the world for me.”
“Eve.” Nick practically dragged her out of her chair and into his arms. “I’ve waited so long to hear those words from you.” His throat felt thick, and he had to blink away the stinging in his eyes. “You mean it?”
She smiled up at him and nodded, and he couldn’t wait another second later to claim her mouth. He delved past her lips, his tongue exploring the tender flesh behind her teeth. He tasted her. Surrendered to her. Loved her.
And it wasn’t enough. Even as he deepened their kiss, he wanted to gaze into her eyes and hear her say those words over and over again. He drew back, satisfaction flowing through him as he took note of her lips, parted still, and shining.
“I love you, Eve.” And damn his eyes but he nearly felt like weeping. Saying the words again set him free. “I love you.”
Nick didn’t so much as move when she trailed her fingertips along the sides of his face.
“Are you afraid?” A tremble caught her voice. And he knew. She’d been very, very brave tonight.
“All my life, I lived fearlessly. I felt unstoppable, immortal. And then I met you. I now know what it feels like to lose you, so, yes. I’m bloody scared as hell. But as long as I have a chance at life with you at my side, I’ll face anything.” He covered her hands with his. “Are you afraid, love?”
“Yes.”
“But you trust me?”
She nodded. “I trust you, but…”
Nick leaned in so he could hear her.
“I find it difficult to trust life—to trust the world and God not to take all of this away.”
She’d lost so much over the past year. Nick kissed her forehead and held her against his chest.
“When I was little,”
