"With the situation," Henry replied. "I do not think that my sister would be approving of any such thing even if it was what I wanted, which let me be abundantly clear that I am not."
"You need not explain yourself to me. I will not judge you for anything that you do or do not decide. It is not my place to."
"Interesting," Henry said quietly.
"In what sense?"
"You are very particular about what is and is not your place."
"I am. I do not tend to approach people that I do not know very well and instruct them on how to behave, either."
Henry gave him a knowing look at that, and Julian was certain that he could see respect in his eyes too. He was not at all perturbed by what had taken place earlier that day, but he did want to make his position known.
"I know that you understand my position," Henry sighed. "You are a brother yourself, after all. I love my sister, and much of the time I can quite comfortably say that she is far more intelligent than the other ladies around her, but there are moments where she decides that something is best for her and once that happens she is not easily swayed in the other direction."
"I have noticed that."
"Then you understand why, if you have no intention of catching her, you cannot let her fall."
Before Julian could answer, the ladies reappeared. She stopped before him, her expression composed as ever, though not entirely neutral. There was a faint blush in her cheeks, and it was evident that she had been conspiring with her friend moments before.
"I wished to ask you something."
"You may."
Eleanor held his gaze for a moment, as though measuring how directly to proceed.
"It pertains to my friends," she said. "A few of them remain in the country for the season. I wondered whether it would be agreeable to you if they were to visit."
Julian did not hesitate.
"Of course."
The answer was immediate, for it served him well. Given what he had just heard, he saw no harm in causing a small distancebetween them. Eleanor seemed almost faintly surprised by the lack of resistance.
"You have no objection?"
"There is no reason for one," he replied. "You are the mistress of the house. You may receive whom you wish."
Eleanor studied him briefly, as though waiting for him to change his mind.
"You are very accommodating."
"It is a reasonable request."
"I had thought you might prefer a quieter household."
"I prefer a well-ordered one," Julian said. "The two are not always the same."
Eleanor allowed a small smile.
"I shall endeavor to ensure it remains so."
"I have no doubt that you will."
"Then you do not know my friends."
There was a brief pause.