"She has met many people," Julian explained. "For the most part, she accompanies me to events. She does meet others on occasion, but she prefers not to. She does not like to be in a position where she must trust someone that is not me."
Henry straightened slightly.
"Then perhaps this is not something to question. It is a sign that she is improving."
"It is something to understand," he said. "But I do not. I am pleased, but that does not answer the question as to why she has changed her mind now."
Henry did not argue with that. Outside, Lily’s laughter carried faintly through the open window in a way Julian had only heard come from her when she was with Eleanor.
Julian did not look away.
Henry did not remain long after, leaving Julian alone in the study. The quiet returned immediately, settling into the room as though it had been waiting.
Julian did not move away from the window. Lily had drawn the others further across the lawn, her movements less hurried, though no less certain. Eleanor remained near her, her attention steady, unbroken even as the others spoke around them. There was an ease to it, and Julian watched it longer than he intended.
Then, begrudgingly, he turned to his ledgers. He had been neglecting them while in the presence of his guests, and he knew that he could not afford to do so much longer.
A knock at the door broke his work. He turned slightly towards the door.
"Come in."
Eleanor entered without hesitation. She closed the door behind her, her back straight, though there was a quiet purpose in her expression that made it clear she had come for a reason.
"I hope I am not interrupting," she said.
"You are not," Julian replied.
"Good, for I wished to speak with you," she said.
Julian nodded slightly.
"You may. What is it?"
Eleanor stepped further into the room, though she did not immediately sit.
"It is about Lily."
Julian’s attention sharpened, though nothing in his expression betrayed it.
"What about her?"
Eleanor hesitated only briefly.
"She said something this afternoon," she said. "Something that I do not think she intended to carry weight, though it did. I will admit that it is not the first time that this has happened, and so I thought… I thought it was best that I came to you."
Julian did not respond, instead waiting for her to continue.
"She spoke of being alone," Eleanor continued. "Of not having anyone before."
The words settled between them. Julian’s gaze did not shift, though the stillness in him deepened slightly. Eleanor watched him, waiting for him to respond. There was a crease in her brow, as though she were nervous about what he would say.
"She has always been reserved," he said at last.
"That is not what she told me."
While not angered by this, Julian had to admit that he was rather perturbed. He knew Lily better than anyone, and yet here Eleanor was acting as though that title belonged to her.
"Then what did she tell you?"