Wait. What? Had he heard the man correctly? “She wants me to eat breakfast ... with her?” Was he dreaming?
The man smiled and nodded. “Mrs. Mills also apologizes for the early summons. But it is most important.”
The words finally penetrated his sleep-addled brain. “Oh! Yes. What time is she expecting me?”
“Twenty minutes?” The man pointed behind him to a motor car. “I’ll be glad to drive you as soon as you are ready.”
Devin blinked. Mrs. Mills ate breakfast at six a.m.? Didn’t the wealthy sleep in and have breakfast at their leisure? “I’ll be right out.” He closed the door and rushed back down the hall. No time to waste. He tapped on Dad’s door—the man could sleep through a tornado. When he didn’t answer, Devin went back to the kitchen and wrote a note in large letters so his father would be able to read it.
In record time, he showered, shaved, dressed, and was out the door with just a few minutes to spare.
On the short drive, he worked to rid his brain of the cobwebs that had taken up residence while he slept. What would Mrs. Mills request of him this time? It didn’t matter. For Eliza’s sake, as long as it was in his power, he would help her grandmother.
The driver parked the car and opened the door for Devin.
He took the front steps two at a time and the butler opened the door before he could knock. “This way, sir.” The man bowed.
Devin followed him into the morning room. A gorgeous and airy room painted yellow on two walls and full of windows on the other two.
Eliza’s grandmother sat at the table.
“Good morning, Mrs. Mills.” He bowed. Was his suit wrinkled? He hadn’t even thought to check.
“Good morning, Devin.” Her smile was bright. “Please have a seat.”
The butler pulled out a chair for him, and he sat. A huge plate was taken from the warmer and placed in front of him.
“Would you bless the meal, please?” Mrs. Mills raised an eyebrow at him.
He cleared his throat and bowed his head. “Father God, we thank You for this bounty before us. Bless this time together. In Jesus’s name, amen.”
“Thank you, dear.” She began to fill her plate as the servants came around the table with different dishes.
He did the same, but it was difficult to think about food knowing that there was something important coming. Devin placed his napkin in his lap and picked up one of the three forks in front of him, praying it was the correct one.
“You’re probably wondering why I asked you to come today.” Mrs. Mills glanced at him.
He chuckled when he saw the sparkle in her eyes. “The thought crossed my mind, yes, ma’am.”
She took a bite of her quiche and then took a sip of juice. “I’ve been doing a great deal of thinking since my husband passed. God rest his soul.”
“Oh?” His stomach rumbled. Might as well enjoy the incredible food in front of him. The first bite of quiche practically melted on his tongue. What was in this glorious concoction?
“You see, I’m the one who insisted that my husband ask you to make that promise to him all those years ago.”
He swallowed, and it plummeted to his stomach like a brick. He set his fork down and picked up his juice glass. Nerves prickled his skin. Was he about to be told to stay away from her again? For good?
“I could tell that you adored Eliza, and I was concerned.”
The warmth in the woman’s eyes made him bold. “Concerned I wouldn’t treat her well?”
“Heavens, no. I knew you’d loved our girl from a young age. You’ve always been a man of integrity. But ... my father and my husband’s father were both men of the old regime. Money ruled all. There was no mixing of the classes. Old money trumped new money, and new money trumped no money.”
“Funny, your husband said something like that to me that day.” No matter how good the food was, he wasn’t about to eat anything else. He couldn’t. He waited for whatever Mrs. Mills had to say.
Mrs. Mills placed her fork on her plate and waved for the servants to leave them. She focused her gaze on Devin. “Over the years, I’ve watched my granddaughter flourish in her pursuit of paleontology. But she has neveronceshown any interest in any man we tried to introduce her to. She never truly enjoyed all the balls and galas—even though we made her go. You were the only one she shared her life with other than us. You were her best friend, and we respected that.
“But last year, my husband began to try and convince me that perhaps we had been wrong and a bit judgmental. Your father is one of the finest men we know. As are you. You hold my Eliza’s heart, even if she doesn’t realize it.”
