"I would say that is precisely what this is
Anne let out a short breath that might almost have been a laugh.
"You are insufferable."
"And yet, you miss me in my absence. Fear not, my dear friend, for I miss you too. Fortunately, when you find a husband of your own, we shall see more of one another!"
There was silence for a moment, and then the two ladies made eye contact with one another. As soon as they did, they burst into laughter.
"You are far too pleased with yourself," Anne sighed when they were calmer.
"Perhaps," Eleanor admitted. "I cannot help myself. You make it far too easy."
Anne reached for her tea at last.
"I shall reconsider offering you advice in future."
"That would be unfortunate," Eleanor said. "I find it very entertaining."
"Of course you do."
It all became easier then, with them leaving the matter behind. It was preferable, Eleanor thought, for she did not want to quarrel with her friend, but there was a part of her that wished she had been questioned further, in spite of it all, so that she might have made more sense of it.
Neither of them returned to it, however, though neither had quite forgotten it either.
CHAPTER 14
Julian did linger to listen to his wife’s conversation.
Whatever passed between Eleanor and her friend was not his concern. He had someone else to consider, and that was the man that had come to see him.
Henry was waiting when he entered. He stood near the window, his posture less rigid than it had been upon arrival, though he was not entirely relaxed. He turned as Julian closed the door behind him, looking at him expectantly.
"I thought it best we speak," Henry said.
"As did I," Julian replied.
For a moment, the conversation remained polite, almost casual, as though neither of them wished to begin too directly. Julian was not necessarily intimidated by his guest, though he had to admit that if another man was, he would not blame him. Therewas a way in which the gentleman carried himself, as though afraid of nothing and nobody.
Julian reasoned, however, that that could well have simply because it was a matter pertaining to his sister. If it were Lily, he would have felt much the same about it all.
"You have both settled quickly," Henry said. "The house seems well managed, and your staff appear to be content."
"It always has been this way."
"And what of my sister?"
"She has adapted."
"That is not quite what I asked."
Julian did not respond immediately. It was not his place to speak for his wife, but he was quite convinced that Eleanor was happy enough with their arrangement. If she was not, in any case, she had not said as much, and he knew Eleanor well enough to know that she had a voice.
"Everything is as it was intended," he said at last. "As we agreed."
Henry watched him for a moment, then exhaled slightly.
"I would like to speak as a friend," he said.