The words were polite, entirely correct, and yet they left no room for anything beyond what was spoken. Julian’s attention remained on her, though he did not move closer.
"You seem at ease."
"I am," she said.
"That is a recent development."
Eleanor allowed the faintest hint of a smile.
"Perhaps I have learned something."
"And what is that?"
"That it is far easier to be at ease when one does not expect anything beyond what is already given."
"Expectation is not always a burden," he said after a moment. "Sometimes it is a helpful reminder of what we stand to lose."
"It is a burden when it is misplaced," she replied. "Besides, I know what can be lost, and it can be done so easily too."
Eleanor did not look away, nor did she step closer. She remained exactly where she was, as though the conversation required no further debate.
"We should return," Julian said at last.
"Yes," she agreed. "If that is what is needed of us."
They turned back toward the carriage without further discussion, the matter left exactly where it had settled, unresolved and untouched. The distance between them remained, clearly defined in a way that neither of them attempted to challenge as they left the village behind.
By the time they returned to the estate, the light had begun to soften into late afternoon, the quiet of the grounds settling around them as the carriage came to a stop. Eleanor stepped down first without waiting to be assisted, the familiar stillness of the place greeting her in a way that felt different, though not unwelcome.
She had only just turned toward the house when she heard the quick, unmistakable sound of footsteps approaching across the gravel.
"Eleanor!"
Lily’s voice carried ahead of her, and a moment later she reached them. She did not slow, did not hesitate, and came directly toEleanor, slipping her hand into hers as though it were the most natural thing in the world.
"You are back," she said, slightly breathless. "I have been waiting all day for you."
Eleanor’s expression softened at once, the reaction instinctive despite everything she had resolved. It was difficult to insist that she would keep her distance when Lily made it feel so awful to do so.
"Have you?" she said gently. "Then I am very glad we did not keep you too long."
"I thought you might not come back until evening," Lily continued, her attention fixed entirely on her. "I asked twice."
"Then I shall consider myself fortunate to have returned sooner than expected."
Lily nodded, satisfied, already drawing closer to her side without any awareness of the choice she had made in doing so. Julian had stepped down from the carriage just behind them.
"Did you find anything in the village?" Lily asked, still looking up at Eleanor.
"Very little," Eleanor replied. "Though I was shown many things I was told I ought to admire."
"And did you?"
"I did, for a time. In fact, there were some lovely ribbons that I thought you might have selected for yourself."
"Then can I see them?"
"Perhaps. We shall have to see what happens."