"Yes."
"With Eleanor."
"And the others."
Julian had to nod along at that.
"You seemed occupied."
"I was playing."
He hesitated, then added,
"Did you enjoy it?"
Lily glanced at him, as though measuring the question before answering.
"Yes."
There was no elaboration. Julian remained where he was. He might have left then, but he did not. Already, he could see what Eleanor had been talking about.
After a moment, Lily spoke again, her attention returning to the beetle.
"I shall be walking with them again tomorrow."
"Will you?"
"Yes. At least, as long as you say that I can."
Julian considered that, then said nothing further. He did not want to be the one to refuse her, and the more he searched for a reason as to why she could not go with them, all that hefound was proof that he was not being a good older brother, and certainly not a good husband.
His main concern when searching for a wife was always going to be finding a lady that was content to spend time with Lily. This was what he had wanted, and now that he had it he was upset about it.
He was, he realized, jealous.
"Will you come too?" Lily asked.
"I have other responsibilities," he said. "You know this."
Lily looked back at the beetle.
"You always do."
There was no complaint in it, only fact, but Julian felt the weight of it more than he expected.
"I will see," he said at last.
Lily nodded, as though that was sufficient. The moment settled again, quieter. After a time, Julian straightened slightly.
"You should not remain out here too long," he said.
"I will not."
He hesitated, just briefly, then he turned and left.
Later that evening, the house came to life, and Julian played his part, but he was also eagerly awaiting the time that he could return to his study.
Once he was able to make his escape, Julian stood in the study once more, though his attention was not on the papers before him. The events of the day lingered, and they were too difficult to set aside.