"I do not understand it," she said. "Not fully. And I think I should."
"Because of Lily?"
"Yes," Eleanor said. "And because of him. If there is something that is making him treat her like a lady rather than a girl, it is for the best that it is settled and she is allowed to be a child again."
Anne’s expression softened, though she did not smile.
"He will not make it easy. I doubt that he will be pleased that you are trying to change him."
"I do not expect him to be happy about it, nor for him to make it easy. My concern is that little girl."
Beatrice let out a quiet breath.
"I almost feel sorry for him. It cannot be easy for him, being charged this soon in life with a child that is not his own."
Eleanor allowed the faintest trace of amusement.
"You should not feel sorry for him. Lily is not a burden, after all. She is a lovely little girl, and I am determined to make this right."
The moment lightened slightly, though the intention remained. Eleanor rose after a moment, brushing the grass from her skirts.
"I shall find him later," she said.
And this time, she did not sound uncertain at all.
CHAPTER 16
Julian stood by the window, his attention fixed on the gardens below.
From that distance, the scene seemed almost orderly. It could have been mistaken for something predictable, something that he might have been comfortable at the sight of.
It was not.
Lily ran ahead of the others, her steps quick and her direction changing without warning. Eleanor followed at a steadier pace, not attempting to correct her, and only adjusting her when needed. Anne and Beatrice lingered slightly behind, their conversation continuing even as they were drawn into whatever game Lily had decided upon.
There was no pattern to it, no structure he could immediately recognize, and yet it held.
Henry moved slightly beside him, his presence quiet enough that Julian had almost forgotten it.
"You have been standing there for some time," he said.
Julian did not look away.
"Have I?"
"Yes."
A brief pause followed.
"They seem occupied," Henry added.
Julian’s gaze remained fixed on the lawn.
"She is not usually so at ease, I suppose."
Henry followed his line of sight.
"Your sister?"