By the time Damien returned to the estate, there was no one around to welcome him home. He first went to Jane's chamber, wanting to speak to her, and when she was not there, he went to his bedchamber only to find it empty.
Hannah, who happened to be fetching a book for Eloise, noticed Damien's arrival. "Lord Hawthorne," she greeted with a curtsy. "Lady Hawthorne is in the kitchen with your siblings."
"Thank you," Damien replied before leaving for the kitchen.
As he walked down the corridor, the sound of laughter drifted towards him. It grew louder as he neared the kitchen.
Damien paused at the door, almost reluctant to intrude and spoil the moment between them. He stood outside, listening to the voices within.
"My bread is rising. It is rising faster than Quinn's," Jane said cheerfully.
"It is not a race," Quinn replied, lowering himself to Jane's height to peer at the dough. "Eloise, why is my bread not rising as fast as Jane's?"
