Lucas nodded and rose from the table. “Miss Maggie, you have a true talent for baking.”

Looking pleased, Maggie said, “Let me wrap up some of the cakes and tarts for you to enjoy on the road.”

“We’d like that.” He gave the girl a smile that would melt the heart of any female.

As Maggie wrapped a dozen pastries in a piece of cloth and tied the bundle with a length of string, Kendra asked, “Katie, may I hug you?”

Katie stood and embraced Kendra. “I am so glad to have met you, Aunt Kendra! When will we be able to meet again?”

Kendra hugged her warm little girl body, mourning all the years they’d missed while reminding herself of the miracle of Jane’s saving a sickly infant and raising her into a lovely young girl. “I’m not sure, but I know it will seem too long. I’ll write you.”

“I’d like that, Aunt Kendra,” Katie said, glowing. “I’ll write you back.”

Kendra reluctantly released her daughter and stood. “I’ve written down my address and the address of my lawyer on this paper. You will be hearing from him.”

After farewells all around, she and Lucas went outside to where their patient coachman was waiting. Lucas undid the bundle of pastries and offered three to the coachman, who accepted them with enthusiasm.

As soon as the carriage started moving, Kendra relaxed into the seat with a sigh and took Lucas’s hand. “That went well, don’t you think?”

“I do. You and Jane both want the best for Katie, and everyone will benefit.” He gave Kendra a sidelong glance. “Even if she and Jane were willing, you couldn’t take Katie to London now and risk Denshire finding out he has a daughter. From what I’ve heard of him, he’d probably grab her as he did Christopher just to make you miserable.”

Kendra felt as if icy water had been poured on her head. “I hadn’t thought of that! Denshire and his malice seem so far away. But you’re right, he would demand custody and send her off to some horrible school just as he did with Christopher.”

“That won’t happen,” Lucas said reassuringly. “Katie is safe and very lucky to be with people who love her.”

“I won’t tell anyone about her except Simon and Suzanne so she’ll stay safe.” Wanting to change the direction of her thoughts, she said, “I’m looking forward to returning to Angelo’s for more fencing lessons and sparring with some of the women Suzanne introduced me to. It’s splendid exercise. Athena Masterson promised to send me some garments that are suitable for fencing.”

“I’ll go with you, if you don’t mind,” Lucas said. “I enjoyed my previous visit, apart from being challenged to a duel, of course.”