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Eve blinked. “Her Majesty! Whatever do you mean?”

Lady Cokesbury patted her hand. “I assume you have heard of Mrs. Pawsey’s School for Embroidering Females?”

“Of course,” Eve said. “I wanted to apply for a position there as a teacher, but I was told it has moved to Ampthill in Bedfordshire.”

“Yes, well, despite being under the queen’s patronage, Mrs. Pawsey found that she could expand the school and take in more pupils if she moved it out of London. Anyway, Queen Charlotte has been encouraging young ladies to practice needlework as an art form. So, every year for the past ten, she has held a charitable auction on behalf of the school. Ladies twenty-five years of age and younger submit embroidered items to the auction. Then the queen chooses an item for herself, to be displayed or worn at her royal affair on Christmas Day. As you may realize, it’s considered a great honor for any young woman’s piece to be chosen.”

Eve’s heart began to pound. “I can only imagine.”

“The other items are auctioned off,” Lady Cokesbury went on, “and the proceeds go to the school. But many young ladies vie for the privilege of having the queen wear or display their item at her party. I think you should submit a piece.”

While Eve was still sitting there in shock, Noel leaned forward. “If you win, it will give you a chance not only to gain royal patronage for your own work but to plead your brother’s case and enlist Her Majesty’s help in making sure James is given the title that is his by right.”

Eve laughed wildly. “If I win. Forgive me, but you are both quite daft to think I could win such a competition against ladies with undoubtedly more skill, experience, and time to practice than I have.”

The viscountess squeezed her hand. “I attend this affair every year, my dear. Your needlework easily rivals that of any of the other ladies, trust me. Why, I still have that apron you gave me.”

“Besides,” Noel said, “even if you didn’t win, you’d still get to meet the queen and argue for James. It’s worth a try, isn’t it?”

Trying not to be heartened by his and his mother’s arguments, she glanced over at her stepmother. “Tell them they’re both quite in error about my abilities.”

“I will not,” Maman said with a glint of pride in her eyes. “Your work is exceptional, ma chérie. I have always told you that you don’t value it enough. Why not give the idea a chance?”

Eve gazed at Jimmy, then Noel. “What about materials? The thread would need to be of the finest kind, not to mention the fabric, and I’d need smaller needles if I am to do the more exquisite sort of embroidery.”

Lady Cokesbury nodded to a footman, who brought a huge box and set it before the viscountess. She turned to Eve. “This is all of the many threads and needles and fabrics I bought for Natalie in her final days that she never got the chance to use. I haven’t been able to bring myself to get rid of them, but she would be dancing in heaven to know that you are making good use of them.”

A lump stuck in Eve’s throat. It would also give her time to grieve Natalie, since Eve hadn’t had much chance to do so. If not for Natalie, Eve might never have had someone to giggle with about boys, never have known the fun of occasionally breaking the rules.

She might never have discovered her love of embroidery.

Tears stung her eyes. “It would be a way of honoring her.”

“Yes, exactly,” Noel said, his gaze soft on her. “And of helping your brother.”

“Don’t do it for me, Eve,” Jimmy said stoutly. “Do it so you can meet the bloody queen!”

“Jimmy!” she and Maman cried at once. Then Eve turned to the viscountess with an apology on her lips only to find the woman silently laughing.

Noel, on the other hand, cast Jimmy a quelling glance. “I can see that you, young man, will have to learn better manners before you can meet the ‘bloody’ queen.”

Her stepmother sighed. “I wish you luck in attempting to teach him any. Eve and I long ago despaired of it.”

“Leave that to me,” Noel said. Then he actually winked at Eve.

Her jaw dropped. She’d been unaware that Noel even knew how to wink. It hadn’t seemed in his nature.

Of course, what did she truly know of his nature? She barely knew the man. Except for the fact that he kissed exceptionally well.

She fought the blush stealing over her cheeks.

Suddenly, the butler entered to announce that dinner was served. As they rose, Lady Cokesbury squeezed her hand. “At least promise me you’ll think about it. And before you make your decision, give me the chance to answer any questions you might have.”

“I do have several,” Eve admitted.

“And I have answers. This is my main charitable cause every year.” As the viscountess led her to the dining room, with the others following behind them, she said in a lower voice, “I have one apology to make to you, however.”

“I can’t imagine what you would have to apologize for, Lady Cokesbury.”