He could not come clean about who he was.
Not now.
Not ever.
“Finch!” Hugh called as he looked back over his shoulder. “Come along, now! We don’t have
long before these little beasties crowd the dessert table again, and I need you by my side
before that happens. We’re a team, you and I. I can’t have us apart. I need you.”
The problem was, Finch needed Hugh, too, more than he could hope to say.
Hugh
Cake should not have been so delicious. Hugh ate his first piece in large forkfuls, shoveling
the next into his mouth as soon as he’d swallowed the one before it. Magic had to have gone
into this wonder of a dessert. There was no doubt in his mind. Flour and sugar alone could not
come close to achieving such confectionery perfection. This was a dragon’s doing.
Or maybe Perry’s.
Hugh looked toward the children’s table, where Perry was seated on the floor surrounded by
his brood, and decided that, yes, Perry had to be involved. His brother-in-law was pretty, but
to wrangle a dragon like Sebastian took all kinds of wit and cunning. And cake. The secrets of
this year’s birthday offerings were hidden somewhere within his crown of blond curls. Hugh
was sure of it.
“Sir?” Finch asked in a low voice as Hugh lurched up from the table. “Are you well?”
“Yes, yes. I’m fine. For whatever reason, the floor here is uneven and I can’t seem to find my
footing. I’m sure Sebastian will have it fixed…” A time frame eluded him, so Hugh waved a
hand, dismissing the thought. “There are more important matters at hand, anyway. Finch.
Finch! Have you tried the cake? You must try the cake. I’ve never had anything like it in my
life.” He caught the back of Finch’s chair to steady himself, then dipped down and whispered,
“Don’t tell anyone, but I’m embarking on a mission to find out who baked it, because I simply
must have them cater the ball. Can you imagine? You and I, feasting on total decadence while
we’re serenaded with live music and plied with the finest wine?”
Finch blinked. “Sir… this is a Funfetti cake.”
Hugh jerked back from Finch, eyes wide, and cried in delight, “Funfetti!”
“Sir, please calm down. Your family is staring.”