Page 27 of Love Me Forever

She likely didn’t have much energy either, especially after her harrowing day. She leaned on him and wrapped her arms around his neck like she was already attached.

When he entered the sitting room, Éloïse spotted the framed portrait of Margot on the wall. “She’s pretty.”

“That was my Mother.”

Remus’s voice came from the office. “Uh, Sébastien?”

“Give me a minute.”

He hurried into the kitchen where Milly was stirring a pot over the fire. “Oh, I wasn't expecting a visitor.”

“Hi, Milly. This is Éloïse, and she’ll be staying here.” Sébastien set the girl down and placed the package on the work counter. “Éloïse, this is Milly, and she works here as a cook.”

“Hi, Éloïse. Aren’t you a cutie?”

Éloïse said hi and looked around with a rather confused expression. If she’d grown up in a flat, she likely wasn’t used to such a big kitchen.

“How ready is the soup?” asked Sébastien.

“The carrots need a bit more softening, but it’s mostly ready.”

“Can you give her a bowl and a little bread? I took her to Maxime, and he said to give her more broth to make sure she can handle it. I have to talk to Remus.”

“Of course. Come sit by the fire and eat.” Milly headed for the cupboard by the wall where most of the dishes were kept.

Éloïse grabbed Sébastien’s leg and looked up at him. “I want to stay with you.”

“I’m only going a couple of rooms over. I promise I’m not leaving. Milly won’t hurt you either.”

“I don’t want to stay with the nanny.”

“She's the cook, not a nanny, and I’ve known Milly for a long time. I’m not hiring a nanny to watch you anyway. She's made some nice soup that you'll like.” He took her hand to guide her toward the raised hearth where she wouldn’t be too close but could sit and feel the warmth. “Once you eat, you’ll probably feel better. I’ll be right back, okay?”

She drew her feet up to watch Milly scoop broth into the bowl.

Sébastien’s dread grew worse as he left the kitchen.

Remus was at the desk in the office, and he stood when Sébastien entered and approached the desk. “I thought I heard a girl’s voice.”

“You did. I have something to tell you.”

Remus came around the desk like he was about to kiss him. “What?”

Sébastien took a half-step back. If Remus decided things were over, he’d give back the ring and go back to Éloïse. He wasn’t arguing or begging even though it would hurt beyond belief to lose him so soon.

Remus paused. “What’s wrong?”

“I found the little girl who gave me the drawing,” Sébastien said since there was no point in beating around the bush. “Her name is Éloïse, she’s been living on the street since I was made Duke, she has nowhere to go, she’s not in the best shape, and I’m keeping her. I know this isn’t something we talked about, and we didn’t decide about kids, but I’m not putting her outside orgiving her away. She was in the street, and a man had her. I told her she lives with me now, and I’m not going back on my word.”

There. He’d said it. He wasn’t going to tell Éloïse he’d changed his mind and upset her worse when life likely felt quite uncertain in her young mind. Remus blinked at him like he was trying to absorb the words.

“Erm, you mean like a daughter?”

“Yes.” Sébastien couldn’t keep the defensive note out of his tone. Even if Remus didn’t say they were done, he’d probably hear shit about making a huge decision without his input. But what else could he have done out there on the street? Her life had changed quite abruptlyagain, and he’d needed to offer a form of stability as soon as possible and not tell her that shemightcome to live with him. He’d promised her safety.

“I thought you’d come home with bath oils and maybe a cake of soap,” said Remus. “If you brought her here to stay, wouldn’twebe keeping her?”

“We haven’t discussed children and what exactly we want in that area. She’s not ours by blood, but I’m still not getting rid of her.”

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