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“Are you one of the Archers from York?” Eve’s uncle asked slyly.
“No, sir. My family is from Wiltshire. Never been to Wiltshire myself, on account of I was born in France, and we just arrived in England seven months ago. But my father was Baron William Archer before he died.” He straightened to thrust his chest out proudly. “I’m his son.”
“And heir,” Eve’s uncle said coolly.
“Yes, sir. Or so my mother and sister tell me.”
“Are they around here?” he asked.
Eve hurried up to him. “Good evening, Uncle Uriah.”
Her uncle blinked, then teared up. “Look at you, dearie. You’ve grown up!”
Noel saw tears filling her eyes, too. “I have indeed, Uncle.” Then, like the sweet, forgiving woman she was, she hugged him. “It’s so good to see you again. You remind me so much of Papa.”
“You remind me of your mother,” her uncle said, chucking her under the chin. “You have her eyes.”
“I will have to trust you on that.” Eve laid her hand on James’s shoulder. “I see you’ve met my half brother.”
“I have.” Her uncle actually ruffled the lad’s hair, which James clearly did not appreciate, judging from his grimace. “What a fine young gentleman he is.”
“Most of the time,” she said, clearly fighting a laugh.
James stared up at the man. “You’re our uncle?”
“Yes, lad.” He glanced around. “Where is your mother?”
“Over there with my mother,” Noel said, walking up beside Eve. “They are both here to support her for this. Shall we introduce you, sir?”
“By all means,” the older fellow said.
Once they reached the two ladies, Noel performed the introductions, keeping a close eye on Mr. Archer’s reactions the whole time. As the two women began to explain why they were there at the embroidery competition, Noel noticed that Mr. Archer kept flashing looks at Lady Archer, as if trying to assess her.
When the conversation lagged, it occurred to him that he hadn’t yet announced his and Eve’s news. “By the way, everyone, I should have mentioned that Miss Archer has just made me the happiest of men and has consented to be my wife.”
“I knew it!” his mother said. “Oh, son, I am so happy for you both. And Natalie would be delighted. I only hate that she couldn’t be here to see it.”
Lady Archer was smiling and crying at the same time. “I am so pleased, monsieur, to welcome you to the family.”
“To our family,” Mr. Archer said, giving Noel hope that in time the man would begin to recognize how wonderful all the Archers were. “Although you and I, sir, must have that conversation about settlements that you promised me this morning.”
Eve’s gaze swung to Noel. “You told him you were planning to marry me before you even saw me today?”
“I told him I meant to offer. But I couldn’t be sure of your answer, of course.”
“Oh, Noel,” she whispered. “I love you so much.”
Clearly, that had swept away any apprehension she might still have had that he’d been planning to offer for Margaret even after last night. “I love you, too, dearling.” When he heard James snort, he gazed down at the young man. “Do you have an objection, lad?”
“Why do you have to be so mushy about it?” James muttered.
Everyone laughed.
“Your day will come,” Noel said. “Mark my words.”
“I don’t like girls. Except for Eve and Mother and Lady Cokesbury, but they’re ladies.”
“They certainly are,” Eve’s uncle said, with a furtive glance at Lady Archer that had her blushing.
