"I have been occupied."
"I can see that. You always have been, after all."
Eleanor watched as she regarded the room, as though ensuring that they were being seen together.
"You have chosen an interesting moment," Rosamund continued. "There are many expectations attached to gatherings such as this."
"I am aware."
"And you intend to meet them, I suppose?"
"It would be unwise not to."
She studied him for a moment, something unreadable passing through her expression.
"You have not changed," she said.
"Nor have you."
"That is fortunate," she replied. "It would be inconvenient to become unrecognizable."
Anne shifted slightly beside Eleanor.
"They know one another well," she murmured.
"So it seems," Eleanor said.
Her tone was even, though her gaze had not moved. There was no warmth in the exchange, but there was clearly history.
She watched as Rosamund stepped a fraction closer, not enough to breach propriety, but enough to suggest familiarity.
"I had hoped to speak with you," she said. "In private."
Julian’s expression did not change.
"That may not be possible."
"For a moment," she said. "Surely that is not too much to ask?"
A brief silence followed, then he nodded.
"Very well."
They moved away together, and Eleanor watched them go. Anne’s gaze returned to her.
"That is not nothing," she said. "It hardly ever is. That is rather fortunate for us, as it means we will soon have some gossip to hear!"
Eleanor smiled faintly.
"Yes," she replied. "How fortunate."
CHAPTER 3
Julian did not enjoy house parties, he tolerated them.
It was all entirely predictable, which he did tend to prefer, but there was such a lack of pleasurable activities that even he found himself bored. The drawing room was full that afternoon, with everyone having at last arrived. Guests had settled into their roles, the initial politeness giving way to something more assured, and nobody had questioned Lily’s presence there. He was grateful for that, but then he knew that whispers would start eventually.
Then again, with what he was set to announce in regard to his intentions, Lily would be the least of their concerns.