Page 42 of The Chef and the Countess

Celia stared at the lad. She could see the slight resemblance: the raven black hair, clear blue eyes, and a sweet face that would someday be handsome—just like his father’s. The height and solidness also spoke to a connection to Liam. If Tommy had just turned twelve, Liam would have been eighteen when he’d sired him. Fiona recently told her Liam was thirty years of age—the same as Celia. How did he find out about Tommy? And how on earth did he find Tommy in this sprawling city?

“So you’re wondering if you should mention it? What do you think will happen if you do?” Celia asked, genuinely curious.

Tommy shrugged. “What if he isn’t the same Liam Hallahan my mum told me about? There’s lots of Irish about. If I reveal it, he might kick us to the cobbles.”

Celia took Tommy’s hand. “You have to know that Liam would never do that. Look what he did with me. My dreadful cousin dropped me here without a shilling to my name. I was a stranger, but Liam allowed me to stay. He could have turned me out, but he didn’t.”

“That’s true.” Tommy nodded. “I’ve been coming every Thursday with Timmy and Teddy for stew for over two months. I didn’t know Liam owned the place.”

“Life is strange,” Celia sighed. “Tommy, you should tell Liam—and right away.”

“I was wondering if you could tell him. He likes you a lot, I can tell. Liam talked to you more the past two weeks than with anyone outside of Fiona. You can explain it better than me. I’m not afraid of him, not for a long time. He’s been good to us. I just don’t know what to say. I’m no good at explaining things.”

“You explained it well enough to me.”

Tommy gave her a shy smile. “You’re kind and easy to talk to.”

“Thank you. As you said, I’ve barely been here two weeks. It might not be wise for me to insert myself into something that is none of my business.” Celia could hear Liam speak those very words, and he wouldn’t be wrong.

“Tell him I asked you to. Please, Celia,” Tommy pleaded.

“Why not go to Fiona or one of the others?”

“I like them, but I’d rather you do it.”

That was quite the burden the lad placed on her. But Celia understood Tommy’s reluctance to speak up, for she’d felt the same when she’d first lived with Aunt Etta and her family. Uncertainty could make a person question their feelings and actions. Assisting with this challenging situation would be one way to repay the generosity she’d been shown since she’d been hastily discarded here. Everyone had accepted her into their little family. No one more so than Liam.

“I’ll talk to him tonight. I promise. Now, let’s continue with our walk, and when we return, you can show me how to make scones.”

Tommy smiled and threw his arms around her neck. This was Liam’s son she embraced; she did not doubt it. The adorable gesture caused a lump in her throat. Her conversation with Liam later tonight would be interesting, to say the least.