‘No, you were right to ask. I can see how it looks and it’s terrible, yes. You were protecting him. It’s something I should have done more of and better. So thank you.’
Eve nodded. ‘Okay, thank you.’
They came to the kitchen.
‘Do you mind if I head into Crossbourne? I have a few errands I need to run,’ Eve asked.
‘Of course, take my car,’ he said generously as he held the door open for Eve to pass through.
Hilditch didn’t look up at them when they sat at the table.
Eve cleared her throat. ‘I’m sorry, Hilditch, for flying off the handle and assuming too much about Myles. I was scared for him and I should have known you would be trying everything to help. You’ve been nothing but welcoming and kind to me since I arrived.’
Hilditch looked at her and nodded. ‘All fine then,’ she said and poured Eve a coffee and then went into the butler’s pantry.
Edward leaned over and whispered to Eve. ‘She’s a woman of few words but that is as good an acceptance as any I’ve seen from her after I lose my temper and she ignores me.’
Flora watched Eve eat, clutching one of her baby dolls.
‘I’m going to Crossbourne. Did you want to come for a drive?’ she asked and then looked at Edward.
‘Is that okay? I’m a very safe driver. Never even had a speeding ticket.’
Edward looked at Flora who gave a little smile.
‘I think that’s a great idea,’ he said. ‘And when you come home, the tree will be delivered, so you can help decorate it if you like?’ He looked at Eve. ‘We have one freshly cut from the estate. Hil will bring down the decorations from the storeroom. It might be quite nice if you feel like helping?’
Eve smiled. Perhaps Christmas wasn’t a complete loss after all.
‘That sounds lovely, thank you for including me.’
Edward nodded and drained his coffee. ‘I hope you’re good at untangling Christmas lights. I seem to remember they were in a right mess last year and I think I just threw them in the box.’
‘I am very skilled at untangling lights and wrapping presents,’ Eve said and Edward smiled at her.
‘I think you’re probably good at most things you set your mind to.’
Eve wasn’t sure why this made her blush but she felt the flush in her cheeks and avoided looking at him in return.
Ridiculous, Eve,she told herself.Be professional.
‘Righto, let’s get organised and we can head off,’ she said to Flora.
She would do anything to avoid acting like a smitten teenager around Edward right now, even if it meant walking to the village.
She paused and then thought for a moment, remembering her mother’s invitation.
‘Are you planning on doing your Christmas lunch or dinner here?’
Edward looked contemplative. ‘It will probably be just myself and Flora. More than likely Myles won’t come down. Hil leaves us some good food and Flora will open her presents and I leave some for Myles outside his door. I will do some writing, but not all day.’
‘Serena said I would have to work Christmas Day.’ She waited for a moment to see Edward’s response.
‘Christmas Day? No, why would she say that? I assumed you would be with your family.’
‘It’s just that it’s also my birthday on Christmas Eve,’ she said with a shy shrug. ‘I’m a Christmas Eve baby, and for some unknown reason, it’s my twin brothers’ birthday also. It seems Mum only likes to give birth on Christmas Eve.’
‘That’s amazing.’ Edward laughed.
