Page 45 of Schemes & Scandals

“Mallory is right here,” I say. “Mallory had to get up at an ungodly hour to make your gift.”

I set the platter in front of him. On it are a half dozen still-warm pastries.

“Doughnuts,” I say. “I can’t tell whether they’re a thing yet, but if they are, they’re an American thing.”

Isla leans forward and inhales. “They smell delicious.”

“They’re for you, too,” I say. “Duncan gets first pick. Those two are dusted with cinnamon sugar.” I point. “Those two are jam filled, and the other two are my attempt at a chocolate glaze, which is tricky here.”

I take my seat. “They’re basically fried dough. I went through a phase of making them as a teen, and I remember the recipe.AndI can get all the ingredients here and make them without an electric oven.”

Isla sighs. “Do not tease me again with talk of electric ovens and electric ice boxes.”

I could ask when’s the last time she actually used the oven here, but I hold my tongue and turn to Gray. “If you don’t like them, please feel free to say so. I have a couple more recipes I could try.”

“And if I do like them?” he says.

“Then I’ll make you a batch every month. One plateful wouldn’t be a proper gift. Although, you might need to speak to Mrs. Wallace if you want that—the biggest problem making these was getting her to give up part of her kitchen this morning.”

He takes his fork and cuts off a piece, and I don’t correct his process. One bite, and then another, and then another.

I try not to hold my breath awaiting the verdict. Of course I do. This isn’t the fanciest gift I could get him, but I put more thought and effort into it than I care to admit.

“There is one problem,” he says as he takes a bite of the next one.

My heart thuds. “Okay.”

“I will tell Mrs. Wallace that you need to commandeer her kitchen once a month, but you are going to need to explain why I do not eat her carefully prepared breakfast this morning.”

He glances at Isla. “You will need to wait and try next month’s batch.Theseare all mine.”

She rolls her eyes, reaches over and snatches one, and I relax and settle in to watch them eat as they chatter and laugh.

1869 has been a hell of a year, and I’m still reeling, as much as I try to pretend otherwise. But it’s no longer 1869. Today is the first day of 1870, and I’m still here, no longer a guest but a citizen.

While I’ve never been one to make resolutions, this year, I will. It’s time to make this my world. Find my place and settle in, because I’m not going anywhere.

I snake a hand out to grab a doughnut from Gray’s plate. He tries to grab it back, but I take a quick bite before holding it out.

“Still want it?” I say.

He eyes the bitten doughnut. “I ought to say no but...”

I laugh, cut it in half and give him the piece without the bite. Then I settle in with my pastry and my coffee and listen to Isla and Gray making plans for the day. Plans forourday, together.