Lily seemed pleased with that answer, her grip on Eleanor’s hand tightening slightly as though to secure her there. Only then did she glance toward Julian, as though remembering his presence rather than having sought it from the beginning.
"Did you enjoy it as well?" she asked.
"I did," he said.
"Did you see the ribbons?"
"No."
Lily considered that briefly, then returned her full attention to Eleanor without further question, the moment already passed for her.
"I have a book," she said. "A new one. I thought we might read it together."
"That sounds like an excellent plan."
"Can we do it now?" Lily said, already beginning to lead her toward the house. "I have been waiting."
"In a moment," Eleanor replied, though she allowed herself to be guided a step or two forward before stopping gently. "We have only just returned. Give me a moment to collect myself."
Lily accepted that without resistance, though she did not release her hand, remaining close. Eleanor became aware, then, of the absence beside her.
It was not physical, Julian was still there, but something in the space had shifted in a way that could not be ignored. She glanced toward him, briefly, the movement small enough that Lily did not notice. He had not moved, and there was nothing that indicated he would call Lily back to him or correct the instinct that had guided her.
But Eleanor felt it. Lily had not chosen between them with any intention, she had simply gone where she felt most certain. Eleanor’s hold on her hand softened slightly, not enough for Lily to notice, but enough that she felt it herself.
"We shall not keep you waiting any longer," she said quietly, though her gaze lingered on Julian for a fraction longer than necessary. "Shall we go in?"
Lily brightened at once.
"Yes. The sooner we are inside, the sooner you can rest, which means we can read."
She began to lead her again, more eagerly this time, her earlier patience forgotten. Eleanor followed, allowing herself to be drawn forward, though as she did, she could not quite ignore the man that remained behind her. He had chosen distance, and she had held to it, but standing there, she had seen something she had not intended to see, something that unsettled her more than she had expected. Lily had gone to her without hesitation.
And Julian had not stopped her.
CHAPTER 24
Julian had not intended to spend the evening in his study again, but he found himself there all the same, standing by the window with the curtains half drawn, the last of the light fading beyond the gardens.
The house had settled into its usual rhythm, yet something in it no longer aligned as it once had. He had noticed it the moment he crossed the threshold after returning from the village, and it had not left him since.
There was a knock at the door, followed by Henry’s voice once again.
"Am I interrupting, or are you simply avoiding the rest of us?"
Julian did not turn immediately.
"You may come in."
Henry entered, closing the door behind him as he stepped further into the room. His gaze moved briefly over the desk, the untouched papers, before settling on Julian.
"I do not know why my sister invited me here," he began. "I have not seen her since my arrival."
"Well, you are welcome all the same."
"I thank you for that. I heard that the two of you went to the village together?"
"We did."