A silent gasp parted her lips as the heat from his fingers traveled to her palm.
“You seem a little flushed all of a sudden.” The insight in his hazel eyes darkened as he lifted his other hand and pressed the back of his knuckles to her cheek.
Heat coiled in the pit of her stomach, rising to her chest before creeping up the back of her neck and traveling to her face, leaving her flushed. “I… I am quite well, thank you, my lord. I think I am just feeling slightly overwhelmed with all the newarrangements.” She forced a smile, inching away from his touch as her pulse skittered.
Lowering his hand from her cheek, Julian let go of her fingers and smiled. “Perhaps we should continue the tour? If you are feeling overwhelmed, we should wrap up the visit and return home, where you can rest.” His voice was still tender and caring, yet Lily could not help but notice the slight look of disappointment in his eyes.
Had he been hurt by her abrupt response? Her heart jolted at the question as he turned away from her and began to make his way toward the staircase.
What does he expect from me?
She took a deep breath before following him, giving her time to process her own feelings and reactions to the situation. Their marriage had started as one of convenience, but that did not mean that they were immune to falling for each other.
Lily froze slightly with her foot on the bottom step. What would happen if one of them fell in love with the other?
Nothing good can come of it.
She decided firmly, almost as soon as the question entered her mind. He had made it clear to her that he did not expect love. Therefore, she would make absolutely certain that their arrangement adhered to the boundaries that had been set.
“Are you coming?” He paused halfway up the stairs and turned to her.
“Just catching my breath,” she reassured him before beginning to ascend.
Jullian accepted her explanation with a nod and continued ahead.
They reached the top of the stairs and continued along the musty gallery where sheets had been hung over old paintings and art.
“I am afraid there is not much to see in most of the rooms, but some of the upper chambers are in better condition. Perhaps we could start there?” Julian suggested after glancing in a few rooms.
Most of the rooms along the gallery were in dire need of construction, but Lily could see that they had once been quite grand with elegant moldings and furniture that could easily be restored.
“I think that would be best. There does not seem to be much that can be seen here at the moment.” She gave each room a glance in passing, making a mental note of all the improvements that could be done.
Most of the rooms would need new wallpaper, but that suited Lily just fine, as she would be able to make the house her own.
They continued up a second flight of stairs until they reached a room where the door was jammed. Julian had to use his shoulder and apply force until the handle eventually clicked open.
A cloud of dust puffed into the air, and Lily quickly stepped aside, but Julian had been in the direct line of fire and began to cough.
“I doubt the former viscount ever used this room much. We shall have to instruct the housekeeper to pay special attention where this room is concerned.” Julian regained his breath before waving the final remnants of dust away.
Stepping past him, Lily entered the dark room and looked around, realizing where she was standing.
Open boxes of toys lay strewn about the floor while a large bassinet stood in the corner of the room. A rocking chair had been placed beside the window, and a small wooden horse stood deathly still in the center of the room.
The nursery.
Lily’s heart skipped a beat.
In her rush to marry Julian, she had never considered the implications of a nursery. She had wanted children with Oliver, but she did not even know if Julian wanted an heir.
Oliver.
She had not thought of him since receiving the note on the evening of her wedding. It felt strange to her that someone who had been so important to her had slowly begun to fade into the background of her life.
Walking further into the nursery, she ran her gloved hand over the side of the crib, taking note of the small stuffed rabbit that had been placed in the corner.
Something deep within her clenched as her chest tightened. What would the future hold, given the nature of her marriage? Would she be able to keep her feelings at bay if he did want children? And if he did not, would she be able to accept that as well?