Her pulse quickened with anticipation as she imagined how he would react. Would he be angry with her for not telling him sooner? Or would he want to protect her?
“Did you…” They both suddenly blurted out at the same time.
Chuckling under his breath, Julian smiled. “You go first.”
“No, no, you go first, I insist.” Lily could feel her heart racing as she took a deep breath. Why was it so difficult to tell him about her past and the man who was still chasing her, no matter where she escaped?
Allowing his smile to broaden, Julian encircled his knees with his arms and looked at his boots. “I just wanted to say that I wasvery proud of you for how you played cricket this afternoon. You did very well for someone who has never played before.”
Her fears eased a little as she looked at him. “I had a lot of fun, but I am afraid that I cost us the match.” She shrugged apologetically.
“That does not matter, you certainly showed Miss Everet what you were capable of, and cricket is not all about winning. Well, if you are only playing among friends, that is. Some Englishmen can be quite competitive.” He laughed.
Eleanor.
Lily had completely forgotten about the conversation they had shared in the garden.
“Julian, if you do not mind my asking, but did you ever propose to Miss Everet? I only ask because she mentioned it to me in conversation.”
His face suddenly fell as his brow creased into a frown, creating two furrows above his nose. “Miss Everet and I have never been engaged. I have never felt more for her than just a kinship, but even that has started to wane since our engagement and subsequent marriage.”
“I do not understand why she would say it if it were not true…” Her words trailed off as the pit of her stomach knotted with tension, and the thought came to her.
She is lying.
Lifting his gaze, Julian seemed to be searching her face quite thoughtfully. “Have you always been this trusting?”
“To a fault, I am afraid. I have been burned in the past by always wanting to see the good in others. I like to think that I have learned my lesson by now, but in many ways, I think I am still quite naïve.” She shook her head, feeling foolish despite her best efforts.
Julian had no reason to lie to her about Eleanor, yet Lily had not fully learned to let go of her trusting ways.
I can trust him.
Her heart clenched painfully as she looked into his honest eyes. If there was anyone who had earned the benefit of her doubt, it was Julian. Had he not been there for her and kept his word from the start?
She took a deep breath. “Julian, I…”
Lightning lit up the sky before a thunderous roar seemed to split the earth in two.
Jumping into his arms, Lily buried her face in his shoulder, allowing Julian to place his arms around her shoulders.
“It is all right. Do not speak now. Just breathe. The storm shall soon pass.” He soothed her gently, pulling her tighter against his side.
Chapter 25
Soft light streamed through the window, making Julian blink as he opened his eyes.
Where am I?
His thoughts were all muddled as he felt soft pricking of hay beneath his body. His limbs were all achy from a night on the hay, and the events of the previous day came flooding back.
Lily.
He turned his head to the side as he became aware of the weight on his arm.
Lily lay sleeping peacefully at his side, her body tucked into his with her head in the crook of his arm. Her features were serenely beautiful in the soft morning light, bringing a smile to Julian’s lips as he reached up and gently stroked her cheek.
The sound of birds chirping outside in the freshly washed world made the moment even sweeter, and he felt as if things could not get any better.