"My, what a pleasure," Mrs. Denham said as she approached. "You have not been among us for some days."
"I fear I have been neglectful," Eleanor replied, smiling easily. "I shall have to make amends today."
"You must," Mrs. Denham said, pleased. "We have had visitors, and I insist you meet them."
"I would be delighted."
Julian remained beside her for the moment, though she did not turn to include him in the exchange. The conversation moved forward, Mrs. Denham drawing Eleanor along toward a small group gathered near the market stalls.
"Mr. Carter, allow me to present my friend," Mrs. Denham said.
The gentleman nodded in greeting.
"The pleasure is mine."
"And mine, Sir," Eleanor returned. "Though I must warn you, I have been told I make very poor company in a market. I am inclined to admire everything and purchase nothing."
"Then we are alike," he said. "I admire far more than I can justify."
"Then we shall understand one another perfectly."
The ease of it surprised even her, not because she was incapable of such conversation, but because she had not allowed herself to hold any in recent days. There was no restraint shaping her words. She responded as she wished, laughed when it came naturally, and allowed herself to be present without measuring each moment against something else. It was, she thought, perfectly lovely.
"And have you found anything worth admiring yet?" Mr. Carter asked.
"Far too much," Eleanor said. "Though I suspect I shall leave with nothing at all, which is perhaps for the best."
"Or a great disappointment," he replied.
"That depends entirely on one’s expectations," she said lightly.
Another gentleman joined them, drawn into the conversation with little effort, and Eleanor turned toward him just as easily, including him without thought, her attention shifting naturally as the discussion moved from one subject to another. There was no awkwardness, no sense that she was performing anything beyond what was expected of her.
She did not look for Julian. She knew he was there, and that was enough.
"You must walk further along with us," Mrs. Denham said to her after a time. "There is a stall nearby that I am certain will interest you."
"I should like that very much," Eleanor replied.
"You will join us, my lord?" Mrs. Denham added, turning briefly toward Julian.
Eleanor did not look at him. She allowed the question to pass without acknowledging it, her attention already moving forward as she walked alongside the others.
"If you insist on showing me more," she said, her tone light, "I fear I shall be persuaded into purchasing something after all."
"That is precisely my intention," Mrs. Denham returned.
"Then I am entirely at your mercy."
The group moved on together, their conversation continuing without pause, and Eleanor let herself be carried within it, her laughter coming more easily than it had in days.
At one point, Mr. Carter glanced toward her with a hint of amusement.
"You seem remarkably content for someone who claims to be so easily persuaded."
"I find it far more pleasant to be persuaded than to resist," Eleanor said.
The answer lingered just long enough to be noticed, though it carried no explanation with it. She did not look back. She did not need to. Whatever space had once existed between herself and Julian remained exactly where it had been left, and for the first time, she did not feel the need to close it.