Chapter Thirty-Two
The abbey’s walled gardens were magnificent, even though it was winter and the flowers weren’t blooming. Lucas liked the orderliness of everything—the vegetable beds laid out in rows, the carefully espaliered fruit trees, the sheltering walls. It felt peaceful and safe and serene. Afterwards, they had refreshments at the abbey, and it was clear that Cosgrove’s chef was French. Lucas limited himself to three delicate chocolate-covered pastries, although he could have eaten ten.
He chewed slowly, and watched Tish and her new cousins. They were very easy with one another, clearly well on the way to becoming close friends.
Lucas contemplated a fourth pastry—and resolutely returned his attention to the three women: Lady Ware, blonde and pretty and vivacious; Lady Cosgrove,
