Nicholas’s mouth was so close. As I looked at it, he licked his lips. I licked mine in reply. We leaned

closer, closer, dangerously close..

Then the oven timer dinged.

We immediately straightened, snapping away from each other. Nicholas turned, coughing into his hand.

I reached for the oven mitts and pulled the finished stuffed mushrooms from the oven.

With the tray safely on the counter, I couldn’t find the courage to look at him again.

He cleared his throat. “Nostalgia does tricky things to the mind.”

“It does,” I agreed, thankful for the safe retreat his words offered.

“I should go now.” He took a step, then paused. “Goodnight, Piper.”

“Goodnight.”

I didn’t move again until his footsteps disappeared from the kitchen. Even after he was gone, I needed a moment to get my heartbeat under control.

the finishing touches on my stuffed mushrooms and

storage.

did not think about what just happened, or what it might

and I were adding the finishing touches to the garden party dresses for me and Elva. She was

Charlotte said, “about your other maid from the early

I remembered. Though Charlotte had certainly opened up to me now, in the early days, she had seemed

palace staff, but she was able to find another position

exhaled in relief. I had worried that

enjoying it. It’s less stressful.” Charlotte picked at a straw

said. “I’m glad to hear she is safe and well.

spoke to her, she seemed worried about you,

of the palace might

everyone is,” I said, giving her a smile. “And that’s what matters. With the support

of these

ruined appetizers were nothing compared to the hardships I

past.

for both Elva and me, and proper medical treatment for Elva. Any

to those basic needs, which in the

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