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“I raved about your Father Christmas design,” he protested. “I called him ‘astonishing.’ ”
“You also suggested changes to the art, like chubby-cheeked urchins and holly berries.”
“I was joking. For the most part, anyway.” His gaze narrowed on her. “You know that I was.”
She burst into laughter. “You, sir, take things entirely too seriously.”
“He does,” Mother said. “At least in recent years.”
“That’s not true,” he grumbled. But it was, and he knew it. Until now, his mother had joined him in that seriousness. Tonight, however, she was bright and cheery, as if Eve’s very presence had stirred up her natural instinct to live happily.
It wouldn’t last. How could it? The losses still lay heavy on them both.
“Didn’t you have something to discuss with Eve, Mother?” he snapped, annoyed for some reason he couldn’t explain.
“Of course, son,” his mother said soothingly. “I’ll do it right now.”
Thank God. He only hoped she’d have better luck at convincing the Archers to let her help them than he’d had thus far.
CHAPTER 4
Eve stared at Lady Cokesbury. What was this all about? The most she’d been hoping for was to reminisce with Natalie’s mother about Natalie while her family got a nice, filling meal for a change. But it appeared even the meal wasn’t happening right away.
“My son tells me that your family has had difficulty establishing your claim to your brother’s rightful inheritance,” Lady Cokesbury began.
Tensing, she glared at Noel.
“Hear her out,” he said with a faint smile. “Please?”
The way he said that last word, as if he truly meant it, was the only thing that kept her from jumping up and leaving. Well, that, and her respect for his mother.
She sighed. “Yes. I assume that your son told you why?”
“He did, although I do not understand why your father didn’t leave any sort of inheritance for you at least.”
“Mr. Washburn says he requested information on it from my uncle but has not received any response.”
Noel snorted. “One more reason I don’t trust the fellow and why my own attorney is looking into the matter.”
“Which we do appreciate, my lord,” Maman put in.
“That will have to be handled by the lawyers, I suppose,” the viscountess said. “But in the meantime, I’d like to help in another area. And I think when you hear what I have to say, you will agree that my plan is a good one.”
“And what is your plan?” Maman cut in, looking a little insulted herself. After all, she prided herself in keeping the wolf from the door as best she could.
“I want Eve to enter her embroidery in a competition of sorts,” Lady Cokesbury said.
“I beg your pardon?” Eve asked.
“Before I explain, let me just say that your work is exquisite,” the viscountess went on. “Then again, it always was.”
“No better than Natalie’s,” she murmured, then could have kicked herself when she saw pain flash across Lady Cokesbury’s face.
But the lady recovered quickly, taking Eve’s hand in hers. “Please don’t misunderstand what I’m about to say. I loved my daughter with my every breath, but I wasn’t blind to her true interests and abilities. Needlework was a mildly entertaining pastime for Natalie, not the passion it seems to be for you and me.”
A passion. She’d never thought of it that way, but she supposed it truly was that for her. She was never so happy as when plying her needle.
“You have original ideas for design,” the viscountess went on, “and you execute them well. That is the sort of thing Her Majesty is always looking for.”
