The Accidental Countess (The Aristocrat Diaries 3)

I burst out laughing.

That was such a Fred thing to do—toss out a flippant comment in the hope it would work in his favour.

It was really to his detriment that it continued to work. One day, it would fail, and he’d be on the end of a very bad situation.

I was sure he was winging it.

“Smart,” Ffion said, perusing the little insert that showed you what all the chocolates were. “Proves she was only with him for the money, too.”

Addy looked at me. “It really does, doesn’t it?”

Well, it lent credence to the theory, that was for sure.

“Right,” Matthew said, pushing off the door frame. “I have some things to wrap up in my office.”

He disappeared on that note, and I felt it was the perfect time for me to also make my escape.

“I’m going to get a drink and go upstairs,” I said, scooting to the edge of the sofa. “I need to go to Beaumaris this week and speak to Dafydd about the maps he wants me to draw, so I think I’ll have an early night and get some research done.”

“I’ll join you,” Adelaide said, getting up after me. “Goodnight,” she added to Ffion and Eleanor.

Ffion looked up and popped a chocolate in her mouth. “’Oodnigh,” she replied.

I did the same and headed for the kitchen with Addy on my heels. I knew when something was on her mind, and I got the feeling she was going to corral me into a corner.

When she closed the kitchen door, I knew I was right.

“Hot chocolate?” I offered, grabbing the kettle to fill it.

“What happened at the forest today?”

“I’ll take that as a yes.” I finished filling the reservoir and set the kettle down to filter the water through before I set it to boil.

“Eva.”

I pulled two mugs down from the upper cabinet and flicked the button on the kettle. It lit up and came to life with a gentle hum, and I continued ignoring my sister as I opened the canister labelled with ‘hot chocolate.’

“For God’s sake,” Adelaide muttered. “Why are you being a brat?”

“Because nothing happened,” I replied, scooping the cocoa powder into the mugs.

“Oh? Is that why you and Matthew have barely spoken since we got back? He’s been holed up in his office, ate in his office, and you only spoke to each other just now because you had no other option.”

The kettle reached a crescendo of bubbles, and the button made a huge snap as it finally reached boiling

“I don’t know what you’re talking about. We don’t have to talk to each other all day, every day, you know?” I poured the water into the cups, followed by a dash of milk, and stirred them both.

“Eva, I know when you’re lying to me.”

“I don’t want to talk about it, Addy.” I slid her mug over to her and clasped the handle of my own, finally looking at her. “All right? I just don’t want to right now. I really do want to get my research done so I can go to Beaumaris tomorrow. You and Olympia can come with me and explore while I’m there. There’s loads to do, and we can do the castle after lunch.”

I picked up my mug, cradling it, and slipped past her to go to the door. Usually, I wouldn’t think twice about telling Adelaide that Matthew had kissed me—properly kissed me—but today, I really wasn’t in the mood.

I was tired, I still had some cramps, and I wasn’t quite ready to fully address the fact that I was developing some very real feelings for my husband.

There was a sentence I never thought I’d say.

“You are all right, though, aren’t you? Eva.”

I turned around and smiled at her, resting my hand on the doorknob. “I’m fine. I’d tell you if I weren’t.”

Adelaide’s lips curved up, but I could tell she didn’t quite believe me. “Okay. You know where I am if you decide you do want to talk.”

“I know.” I pulled the door open.

“Eva…”

“Yes?”

“Did you get your period yet?”

I peered back at her and shook my head. “What date is it?”

“The sixteenth.”

Uh-oh.

Big, big fucking uh-oh.

“Shit. I was due today or yesterday. I got my days mixed up. Did you start?”

She pressed her lips into a thin line. “Not yet, no. I was due today, too.”

I stilled.

“Tomorrow at the latest.” Her throat bobbed as she swallowed. “If neither of us start… Would you…”

“Take a test together,” I finished for her, nodding. “Yes. We will.”

Her expression brightened then. “All right. Thank you.”

“Night, Addy.” I slipped out of the kitchen and headed for the stairs, ducking my head so I didn’t glance back in case she saw me.

Great.

Now I was not going to sleep tonight.

CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

EVA

I didn’t know where Matthew had slept last night. I’d gone to bed in his room, and when I’d woken up, I hadn’t been able to decide if his side of the bed had been slept in or not.