"We were talking about the tart.It came up.But I felt proud when she talked about how much she liked your croissants."
"I'm glad."He holds out one of the plates to me, and I take it from him."This is the one with currants, and this is the one with the mixed dried fruit," he says, pointing to each in turn.
"Now that we're trying them, it feels a little silly to have insisted we did a taste test."
He laughs."How do you think I get better at baking?How doyouget better at baking?This is good for me too.I switched to using mixed dried fruit years ago, maybe itisn'tbetter, but I've just tricked myself into believing that it is."
"I find that unlikely."I pick up my cup of tea and take a sip before I eat any of the tart.I pick up the first piece, checking to make sure I know which it is and taking a bite.The soft but firm filling of the curd tart is slightly tart, which goes really well with the sweetness of the pastry, which crumbles perfectly even though these tarts are so much smaller than the one we cut into earlier.
I set the piece down and focus on the flavours before taking another sip of tea so that I can feel like I've got a clear ability to taste the other one.
I pick up the second piece of tart and take a bite.At first, it tastes the same, but then there's a slight hint of citrus coming from this one.
"So, what do you think?"Nate asks.
"I think the one with the mixed fruit is better," I admit."But only because of the dried citrus peel.It's subtle, but it adds something."
He lets out a sigh of relief."I'm so glad that you said that."
I frown."Why?"
"I don't want you to think that I don't know what I'm doing."
"I'm never going to think that."I set down my plate and reach out to touch him."I think you're a wonderful baker.I didn't mean to make you feel like you weren't by questioning the ingredients."
"You didn't," he assures me.
"I won't question your ingredients again," I promise.
"What?Evie, no."He takes my hand in his."I don'twantyou to stop questioning me.The entire time I was away, all I could think every time I learned a new recipe was what you'd think of it, or if you'd have suggestions for it being better."
"I hope that wasn't all you were thinking about."
His smile softens as he looks at me."A lot of my thoughts were about you.But I did think of other things.Mostly what I was learning, and there are some combinations and desserts that I haven't had a chance to try yet, but I want to.It's definitely easier to do that now that I'm in charge."
"And have a sous chef," I say, thinking of Chef Asselin.
"Yes.That's helpful.But Camille is mostly dealing with making a lot of the elements that I need.She's been doing the pastry."
I raise an eyebrow."I'm surprised.It tastes just like yours."
"The advantage of being in charge is that everyone does things my way," he responds.He picks up his tea and takes a sip."Are you going to be coming down to the kitchen tonight?"
I shake my head."I don't think I can.There's a dinner tonight, and Mama has made it clear that I'm not allowed to leave before it's over.It will be close to midnight before I can come down."
"Ah."
"But tomorrow?I don't even think we're having family dinner tomorrow, so I can come earlier."
"Then I'll think of something good to make," he responds."Unless you have an idea of your own?"
I shake my head."I don't mind so long as I get to spend time with you."
His smile lights up his entire face, making me look forward to it, and glad that I got this time with him today, even if it was unexpected.Or maybe especially because of that.
Chapter6
Marion's footsteps echo behind me as I make my way to Mama's private audience chamber.With every step closer, my nerves grow.I know that she wants me to have a ball for my birthday, but I'm dreading it.Especially with how angry she is at me for leaving the feast the other night.I know that I technically broke the rules and might have made a bad impression on our guests, but it's not as if I did it on purpose.And I had a good reason for it, even if Mama isn't likely to think that.
