"Mr. Charles Ashford, my lord."
Julian looked up from where he stood by the desk.
"Show him in."
Charles entered with the ease of someone entirely accustomed to the house, his manner unhurried, his expression carrying the faint suggestion of amusement he rarely bothered to conceal.
"I had not expected to find you occupied so soon after returning," he said. "I was told you had only just arrived for your honeymoon."
"I have," Julian replied. "That does not prevent my occupation. The estates do not cease needing tended simply because I would prefer it, after all."
"No," Charles said, glancing around briefly. "Though it is rather unusual, you must admit."
Julian did not respond to that.
"You did not send word that you were to visit."
"I was in the area," Charles said. "I thought it preferable to call directly rather than risk missing you altogether. It seems I was correct."
"You usually are," Julian said, without emphasis.
Charles smiled slightly at that, then studied him more closely.
"You are now married," he said. "I should offer my congratulations, though I suspect you have heard enough of those already."
"More than sufficient."
"You cannot be surprised, surely?" Charles replied. "It is not every day one finds you making such a decision. In fact, upon hearing of it, I thought it was a baseless rumor as always."
"It was a practical decision."
"I am sure," Charles said, his tone suggesting he did not find that explanation entirely complete. "And what of the new Lady Harrowby?"
"She has settled without difficulty."
"I would expect nothing less," Charles said. "Though I should like to form my own opinion of her when I meet her myself."
"You will have ample opportunity," Julian replied. "She will be living here with Lily and me permanently."
"That answers one of my questions, then. I had considered that part of this marriage of yours would be her residing elsewhere, so as not to accidentally track footprints into your hallway."
"Charles, did you–"
"Yes, but I have apologized to Miss Slipton and she accepted it graciously."
There was a brief pause, though not an uncomfortable one. Charles remained where he was, his attention still fixed on Julian in a way that suggested he had not yet said everything he intended to. Julian wished that he had, for it had rather felt as though everyone was accusing him of something that he had not done.
"You are not entirely at ease," he said after a moment.
"I certainly am. There is no reason I should not be."
"Perhaps not," Charles replied. "And yet…"
Julian did not encourage the observation.
"Are you certain that you came without purpose?"
"I rarely require one," Charles said. "Though I will admit to some curiosity."